the art of Patrick Segui

CHANDELIER

2011-09-23T09:05:00.000-07:00

a little sketch for a cardboard chandelier i did few years ago and still hanging from my studio's ceiling

SOMETHING NEW

2011-07-26T10:29:00.000-07:00

APACHE STYLE...1ST ATTEMPT FOR MISTER FREEDOM's BOX

2011-07-20T10:24:00.000-07:00

SOME VINTAGE TSHIRT DESIGNS

2011-05-09T16:31:00.000-07:00

Done these last year for LEVI'S and they were supposed to be part of their 2011 spring/summer collection as 15 other drawings .working for them was a great opportunity to bad nothing has surfaced yet ,maybe next year!?? ...one never knows !!

TERRARIUM CARDBOARD DIORAMA 2

2011-02-13T12:04:00.000-08:00

TERRARIUM CARDBOARD DIORAMAS

2011-01-29T09:19:00.000-08:00

Some more dioramas made for "CURIOSA NATURA"in the spirit of old church's shrines .....

SURREALIST DIORAMAS

2011-01-21T09:38:00.000-08:00

CURIOSA NATURA ,was the name of my first attempt to a big "solo flight"even had a profile in JUXTAPOZE MAGAZINE for the occasion .The show featured a variety of collages,tapestries and 2 and 3 dimensional dioramas made of recycled cardboard,vintage inks,fabrics and papers .Here a little sample for your enjoyment ....

HAPPY NEW YEAR ....BONNE ANNEE 2011

2011-01-01T11:31:00.000-08:00

to all my friends and followers a happy new year 2011 thank you for your love and support .....i'll try to post a little more often ....promised

LES HALLES DE LA VILLETTE #2

2010-12-06T20:17:00.000-08:00

Mr Raymond son couteau et sa cote de veau rue Rambuteau ....

IN MY SKULL

2010-12-02T10:02:00.000-08:00

A little something i did not so long ago to celebrate the day of the dead .....

LES HALLES DE LA VILLETTE...BEAUTY AND THE BEASTS....

2010-11-27T20:14:00.000-08:00

L'ami Leon aime le Picon......le Picon ca rend con
Madame ZAZA specialiste du tabouret tonkinois et de la tortue javanaise.disponible de cinq a sept 30 rue des pas perdus.sans rendez vous .....
Mr Raymond le roi du jambon.sa devise :" dans l'cochon tout est bon " ...."et avec ca ma petite dame !! du mou pour le chat !??"...
Mr Marcel ,serveur a toutes heures a:" la brasserie des longs bras" 15 rue des Jacasses....doucement le matin et pas trop vite le soir .....

SURREALIST COLLAGES#3...

2010-11-26T18:13:00.000-08:00

SURREALIST COLLAGES#2...

2010-11-26T09:35:00.000-08:00

Talking about bed bug .....

SURREALIST COLLAGES....

2010-11-25T19:48:00.000-08:00

These were done in 2009 for a show called: curiosa natura here in San Francisco.the last one just sold to a British collector and might be used as a logo for a brand ......

LA RUE#8.... depression era

2010-11-18T17:26:00.000-08:00

SOMETHING OLD ,SOMETHING NEW...

2010-11-11T10:43:00.000-08:00

A project for a future diorama. if i get a show that is.....

Back on tracks ,as i haven't posted here for a while i know .A lack of inspiration!?...well perhaps.Anyway,i'll try a little harder promised.So today here are some sketches in B&W done for the circus series ,so you'll be able to compare them with some of the final paintings......

RANDOM SKETCHES.......

2010-07-25T20:54:00.000-07:00

JE BOIS ....by Serge Gainsbourg...

2010-07-21T22:29:00.000-07:00

L'alcool (1958)

Mes illusions donnent sur la cour

Des horizons j'en ai pas lourd

Quand j'ai bossé toute la journée

Il m'reste plus pour rêver

Qu'les fleurs horribles de ma chambre

Mes illusions donnent sur la cour

J'ai mis une croix sur mes amours

Les p'tites pépés pour les toucher

Faut d'abord les allonger

Sinon c'est froid comme en décembre

Quand le soir venu j'm'en reviens du chantier

Après mille peines et le corps harrassé

J'ai le regard morne et les mains dégueulasses

D'quoi inciter les belles à faire la grimace

Bien sûr y'a les filles de joie sur le retour

Celles qui mâchent le chewing-gum pendant

l'amour

Mais que trouverais-je dans leur coeur meurtri

Sinon qu'indifférence et mélancolie

Dans mes frusques couleur de muraille

Je joue les épouvantails

Mais nom de Dieu dans mon âme

Brûlait pourtant cette flamme

Où s'éclairaient mes amours

Et mes brèves fiançailles

Comme autant de feux de paille

Aujour'hui je fais mon chemin solitaire

Toutes mes ambitions se sont faites la paire

J'me suis laissé envahir par les orties

Par les ronces de cette chienne de vie

Mes illusions donnent sur la cour

Mais dans les troquets du faubourg

J'ai des ardoises de rêveries

Et le sens d'ironie

J'me laisse aller à la tendresse

J'oublie ma chambre au fond d'la cour

Le train de banlieue au petit jour

Et dans les vapeurs de l'alcool

J'vois mes châteaux espagnols

Mes haras et toutes mes duchesses

A moi les p'tites pépés les poupées jolies

Laissez venir à moi les petites souris

Je claque tout ce que je veux au baccara

Je tape sur le ventre des Maharajas

A moi les boîtes de nuit sud-américaines

Où l'on danse la tête vide et les mains pleines

A moi ces mignonnes au regard qui chavire

Qu'il faut agiter avant de s'en servir

Dans mes pieds-de-poule mes prince-de-galles

En douce j'me rince la dalle

Et nom de Dieu dans mon âme

V'là qu'j' ressens cette flamme

Où s'éclairaient mes amours

Et mes brèves fiançailles

Où se consumaient mes amours

Comme autant de feux de paille

Et quand les troquets ont éteint leurs néons

Qu'il n'reste plus un abreuvoir à l'horizon

Ainsi j'me laisse bercer par le calva

Et le dieu des ivrognes guide mes pas

Serge Gainsbourg L'alcool

BACK BEHIND THE BIG TOP...

2010-04-29T16:48:00.000-07:00

I’ll be having a show “Back Behind the Big Top” at Occasio Winery, May 21 – June 30th. I’ll be featuring my circus work as I was commissioned to do a painted wine box for their live auction lot at the beginning of May. I’ll also be at the winery on May 27th, 5:30 – 8:30 when they will be holding an artist reception pour moi! Please come if you’re near Livermore, CA – RSVP to info@occasiowinery.com

As many of my friends know, I love wine (must be the French!). I’ve been lucky enough to work with Occasio – John makes really small lot wines, and it’s really good stuff. I’m super excited he chose my work to be featured on their Petite Sirah box – he only made 100 cases of this wine and people are buying it up before it’s even released!

Hope you can make it on May 27th!

OUT OF MY MIND......

2010-04-29T09:40:00.001-07:00

Some goodies from my sketchbook .......

RED LIGHT 8

2010-04-25T21:01:00.000-07:00

Mr Raymond relaxing at his favorite bordello.Mr Raymond is really popular indeed and quite a lady's man ....

RED LIGHT 7

2010-04-21T16:26:00.000-07:00

The dapper looking Mr Fernand. A quiet man ,he always has an eyes on his "bread and butter".....

RED LIGHT 6......

2010-04-19T19:55:00.001-07:00

It's in the attitude right !!?

Erich Von Stroheim is Smokin'

2010-04-18T01:49:00.000-07:00

Cœur de Lilas (1932) - La môme caoutchouc

2010-04-18T01:37:00.000-07:00

RED LIGHT5 .....chez Fernand

2010-04-16T10:48:00.001-07:00

Another drawing from the 'RED LIGHT" this one is about Apaches in their favorite environment ....le bistrot

RANDOM SKETCHES .....

2010-04-15T20:47:00.000-07:00

Few weeks ago my friend Rochelle Baker ,who's just opened a great store a the mythical Haight /Ashbury corner here in San Francisco,asked me to work a little logo for her .....here is what i've got so far for "MYSTERY MISTER" that's the name of the place.......

RED LIGHT 4

2010-04-11T18:48:00.000-07:00

Apache couple :French bad boys of the late 1900's early 20th century .their specialties robbing people,illegal gambling and of course prostitution......
The original sketch for the "red light 3"post.i still like the b&w drawing better.....

After a long vacation from the blog i'm finally back with 2 drawings and more to come .comments are always welcome of course .......

2010-04-05T10:23:00.000-07:00

ANOTHER SELF PORTRAIT .....at work

2010-02-02T16:13:00.000-08:00

Doodling at a cafe while raining outside.........

THE RED LIGHT 3

2010-01-25T21:52:00.000-08:00

Today's painting still drying ........

THE RED LIGHT 2

2010-01-14T22:00:00.000-08:00

A new painting for the "red light " series .Two drinkin' buddies on their way to "the house"typically French isn't it !??

CHERI-BIBI

2010-01-07T18:01:00.000-08:00

Cheri-bibi i declare you.......
Guilty ........ FATALITAS !!!!

This new painting was inspired by:" The adventures of Cheri-bibi"Created & Written by: Gaston Leroux (1868-1927)"father" of Rouletabille, Erik (a.k.a. The Phantom of the Opera), and Balaoo.

Cheri-Bibi is the nickname of a young butcher's apprentice gifted with extraordinary strength. In the first novel, Cheri-Bibi is framed for the murder of his boss, Mr. Bourrelier, who is also the father of his fiancée, the beautiful Cecily. The hapless hero is sent to Devil's Island while Cecily marries Maxime du Touchais. With the help of fellow convict La Ficelle, Cheri-Bibi takes over the prison ship. Later, they come across Maxime, whose yacht was shipwrecked. Thanks to Dr. Kanak, a prodigious surgeon, Cheri-Bibi literally swaps faces with the dead Maxime and hopes to start a new life in France. However, fatality strikes when Cheri-Bibi (who now looks like Maxime) discovers upon his return that Maxime was the real murderer! So he now wears the face of the assassin for whose crime he was convicted! He is caught and sent back to Devil's Island.

THE RED LIGHT

2010-01-02T16:02:00.000-08:00

Monsieur le baron.......
Sgt. Pinot a regular ........
La grande Zoe.....

First post of the new decade, hopping for many more .I've decided to regroup under the "red light "banner,drawings and paintings inspired by the early 20th century brothels .Bordellos were perhaps the only place where all classes of the society were mixing ,willingly or not.It might have been an interesting place to "study characters"for sure as so many artists in the past, seem to have been inspired by such places.

LA RUE #7

2009-12-30T17:39:00.000-08:00

Close-up.....
Is this the cold or cheap wine......!!?
A 1930's street hobo ala Bofa. I'm just having fun to end this year......

This is the last painting for 2009 and it's still drying .......

LE CIRQUE

2009-12-29T15:37:00.001-08:00

"I've always been inspired by the wordless novels,a genre made famous by early 20th century artists such as Frans Masereel and Otto Nuckel just to name a few. So, I've decided to give that lost art a try. But also decided to give it a twist by first, not imposing a particular "order" to the paintings but rather let the viewer choose and make its own story with the given elements. The other self imposed constraints were:13 paintings ,no freaks or clowns and only 4 colors [the circus colors ] red ,yellow, white and black.

Wordless picture stories have a unique and especially intimate relationship to their readers. In order to follow the narrative these works ask the viewer to guess what's taken place, then connect the dots from one image to the other and get the full story unfold. Nothing is up front but rather suggested and sometimes demands repeated viewing and lots of guessing."

EDWARDIAN TIMES

2009-12-28T23:09:00.000-08:00

Gotta love that bowler .......
Jekyll & Hyde style....

Two drawings made for the 2009 edwardian ball in San Francisco....as studies for a diorama box.

SELF PORTRAIT#2

2009-12-25T14:53:00.000-08:00

A close-up changes the atmosphere.....
A Christmas self portrait......

As my favorite draughtsmen :Gus Bofa ,Pascin ,Grosz, Beckmann or Bruno Schulz ,if i may dare any comparison here,i've found the use of a black and white palette to be more interesting. Especially when you instantly want to create an atmosphere that focuses on the subject ...Here in the "self portrait serie" a little Christmas painting .It's still fresh.

LA RUE #6

2009-12-23T09:37:00.000-08:00

The original idea started here with this rough sketch......
Day......
Night.......

A night and day set of drawings,with an expressionist flair and a Jekyll and Hyde twist to it.It was a project for a diorama.

LA RUE #5

2009-12-22T17:30:00.000-08:00

La mondaine......
A La cloche......
La mome cachou....

A small serie in the same expressionist manner .It all about the power of black and white.

LA RUE #4

2009-12-21T16:54:00.000-08:00

"Le crochu".......
Les 3 marlous.......
Julo les pieds plats......
Mr Paul.....
Another day ......

Another load of street characters.....

LA RUE #3

2009-12-20T17:58:00.000-08:00

On his way .......
Meeting with "the mack"........
An evil place !!??......

Just a follow up to the former post about: "l'etrange Mr Victor"the quintessence of the french brothel going bourgeois of the last century,or at least my fantasy about him....

LA RUE #2

2009-12-17T19:56:00.000-08:00

"8 rue Victor Masse" the original sketch...........
Today's painting 2 years after.........
The close-up.......
"L'etrange monsieur Victor ".........

Decided today to rework an old sketch of mine,it happens sometimes. The trick was only black and white paint on cardboard .The result:" l'etrange monsieur Victor"

LA RUE .....the street

2009-12-16T19:08:00.000-08:00

It's all about "framing".The story can be totally different,depending on your point of view.here it's obviously a little more dramatic and dark with a "film noire" feel to it........
The full frame accentuates that solitude feeling.......
A close-up........
The new painting on its final stage .......

In the next few days i'll showcase some drawings and paintings inspired by the streets of Paris during the city's golden era. Easy women ,brothels,mauvais garcons ...you name them ,they'll be here.

EXPLORING OPTIONS

2009-12-14T15:58:00.000-08:00

The first drawing ........
Same guys,but using ink and brushes,enhancing the subject .....
Wanted to try my hands at block printing.My initial plan for that project,was to do a portfolio about the circus....
But once more i've changed my mind ,switched to painting and got rid of one guy .Here's a black and white attempt .......
The final "product"6/8"part of the circus series .a total of 13 paintings......

Whatever the subject matter i'm working on is ,i'm trying not to limit myself style wise.I'm doing so by pushing my boundaries and experimenting with new technics.I refuse to let myself being trapped in a system and be where i'm expected to be . I mean serve the same "dish" over and over like so many of my contemporaries .I've always thought it kills slowly, but surely, people's interest in what you're doing.

DIORAMA#4

2009-12-07T17:13:00.000-08:00

The general idea ........
A close-up reveals the detailed cut and carved recycled cardboard....

The prosthetic crab claw.....
"Frau Blucher " 11/14" diorama

The infamous "Frau Blucher" aka "the crab lady" .I started this one after a trip to the beach.While collecting some shells,for another project,i found a dead crab's claw.The idea came instantly and i didn't go any further than a rough sketch,as i wanted to start with the cardboard right away,anxious to see the result.

DIORAMA#3

2009-12-04T11:27:00.000-08:00

Sketch of an original ww1 gas mask started it all......
I've always liked the affected attitude of "smockin' villains" in old silent movies ....
The result: "AT EASE" 11/14" diorama

Featured here,another early cardboard diorama with some vintage fabric elements .This one was inspired by an old ww1 picture depicting soldiers wearing gas masks,to protect themselves from the infamous "mustard gas".Private collection of the artist Mike Davis owner of "Everlasting tattoo" in San Francisco.....

DIORAMA#2

2009-12-03T17:59:00.000-08:00

I've always tried to save the original sketch,as it's interesting to me,to see the evolution of the original concept,if any.In that case i didn't stray that far away from my first draft ......
A detailed face is a plus.Gotta love the scar and veins combo.......
A prosthetic hand and a skull ring complete the look ......
The "great war" veteran :CAPTAIN HANS WERNER

Another "cadinet style "cardboard diorama from the same period 11/12".

DIORAMA

2009-12-03T13:05:00.000-08:00

A rough sketch to set the ambiance.....
A more detailed one to capture the desired expression....
A close-up of the final "product".....
COUNT ORLOFF :an early diorama made of recycled cardboard,fabric and paints 11/14".......

One of my earliest diorama.Going back to 2001,if i remember well and heavily influenced by german expressionism .I was at the time working on a serie of 5 portraits in the same vein,all made out of cardboard ,which is now my "trade mark" .this one is titled "the count Orloff"

LE JAZZ HOT #2

2009-12-01T10:34:00.000-08:00

Alto sax player......
Bull fiddle boogie......
Hipster.....
Self portrait with guitar beatnik style.......
Project for a cubist inspired diorama......
Another cubist diorama sketch .........
Bebopper.........
New Orleans ..........

More jazz inspired drawings done over the years .Some old ,some new and all from "the vault" i mean my old sketchbooks. it's where i keep some of my ol' time favorites .I must admit,they come up handy when there's a lack of ideas while working on a new project . It's always been of equal importance to me ,to look back as it's been to look forward.

LE JAZZ HOT

2009-11-26T15:52:00.000-08:00

Django.........
Swing musette........
Boogie woogie........
Cubano be,cubano bop .......

I've always been inspired by jazz,blues or soul music. In fact, i can hardly work if there's no music in the background to set up the mood.

CAFE DE PARIS .....random sketches

2009-11-25T19:40:00.000-08:00

Your average Pigalle cafe back in the days ,with it's typical Thonet chairs ,expressos and smockin' cigarettes ...
At the terrace .......
The countessa........
Madame Lucienne.....at work!?
One more for the road !??
Monsieur Francois......
I'm your waiter ........

I was almost born and raised in a cafe, as my dad has own quite a few over the years .So i think i've had my share of colorful "characters" along the way to say the least.Here's a small selection of some old drawings done while "people watching" at some of my favorite Parisian hang outs .....

THE STUDIO

2009-11-24T09:34:00.000-08:00

A side view of the work station ...........
Books ,books ,books,can't get enough books .I've always been suspicious of people who don't have any at home.....
Tools of the trade......

Dowtown San Francisco it's where the "magic" happens,surrounded by everything that inspires me :art books ,records,flea markets finds you name it .....If you're interested in purchasing artwork or want to commission one,i'm always available for a studio visit.Just email me ....................................................................................................................................................................

you can also follow this link to the apartment therapy website for a full tour. It's a great place about interior design ,they were nice enough to "pay me" a visit .

SELF PORTRAIT

2009-11-19T16:46:00.000-08:00

The original rough sketch
A small close up

Such a classical theme among artists that over the years, like my forerunners,i've indulged in.It's always been either out of boredom,or lack of imagination at the time.Introspection or cheapest "model" money can buy...you decide.Any how i've always kept some of the craziest in my sketchbooks .Here's one i still like .It was at the time a more elaborate sketch for a diorama, a project for a group show called :" portrait of the artist".I ended up doing one of George Grosz instead, more interesting without a doubt. i'll try to post some more later.

THE PROFILE

2009-11-18T16:57:00.000-08:00

Born and raised in Paris, France, Segui grew up in a family of antique collectors and enthusiasts. His eclectic upbringing as an artist was filled with inspiration from sideshow-esque icons, deviant animalia and misfits. Schooled at the renowned Villa Arson in Nice, Patrick attributes his influences to German Expressionism, Dada and Surrealism.

Patrick Segui’s intricately carved dioramas are a “mise en scene” of his altered memories, dreams and nightmares. Fastidiously crafted with captivating detail, these sculpted paintings are comprised of reclaimed materials, such as paperboard, vintage fabrics and papers and 19th century ephemera, and often utilize vintage paints and inks. Segui’s mixed media dioramas are visual objects depicting a compelling diminutive universe of an imaginary long gone era, often featuring a fascinating cast of odd characters, perfectly suited for the Edwardian parlor or Grand Guignol stage.

Segui has a growing reputation in San Francisco, New York, Berlin and Paris. He holds a Masters of Art History from Ecole Nationale Supérieur des Arts Décoratifs (Villa Arson), Nice, France. He was one of only two graduates to receive the prestigious Jury Honours designation. His art has been featured at progressive galleries such as Neurotitan Gallery,La luz de Jesus, Outer Edges Gallery,Sacramento,s Toy Room, as well as solo shows at Gallery Three and The Shooting Gallery .

Lori King