Born in Paris, France Christian LeGars is one of only 25 printmakers whose work appears in the first portfolio ever to be published of the internationally renowned Printmaking Workshop. He spent his formative years in Montmartre, the birthplace of the impressionists; in Bretagne, with the school of Pont Aven created by Gauguin; and the international art colony of Concarneau. He states, "I was transcended being surrounded by the art and the influences of such artists as Gauguin, Toulouse Lautrec, Utrillo, Signac and others. It was a gift of beauty."

LeGars was painting in oils when teacher M. Chazella in Paris introduced him to illustrated novels and gouache, a very sensuous medium. After moving to the U.S. he began creating in watercolor and discovered American Photorealism. The possibilities of combining his love of photography with the magic of watercolors came to fruition. The artist enhanced his techniques from learning such printmaking processes as solar plate intaglio, etching and aquatint by the internationally renowned print master Robert Blackburn, and Elizabeth Harrington and Dan Welden.

He states, "My creations in watercolor led to the concepts in my prints: the combination of the mystery and alchemy of printmaking with the fluidity and beauty of watercolors. My art follows the inscrutability of life: the night with its secrets and whimsical light; the sunset and sunrise and their spiritual explosion of colors surrounding the darkness -- a spiritual trilogy of mystery and beauty."

Christian LeGars' work is in numerous individual collections worldwide including the Jacques Mallet Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., the permanent print collection of the Montclair Museum, NJ, and the Robert Blackburn Collection, NY.

His exhibitions include those at The Salamagundi Club, National Arts Club, Allied Artists of America, Audubon Society, and Synchronicity Space. He is the recipient of the Manhattan Arts International magazine Artist Showcase Award, the www.ManhattanArts.com Artist of the Month Award, and the Jack Richeson and Co. Gold Brush Award for Watercolor.

Christian’s work can be seen at Object Image, 91 Fith Ave., in Brooklyn, NY.


Praise for Christian LeGars

"In his last exhibition Christian was rewarded with very high praise for his sensitivity to light and color as well as his unique feeling for texture and line."
John Smith-Amato, Director, Synchronicity Space

"Watercolorist Christian LeGars has of late brought his unique vision and considerable talent to the art of printmaking."
Susan Hartenstein, Art Columnist, The Wave