Sophie Breton
Lenox, MA, 01240
Available by appointment only
sophie@sophiemuseum.com
phone (413) 221-2067
About Sophie V. Breton
BIOGRAPHY
A spiritual being and often considered a beacon of hope in gloomy times. Many of Sophie’s friends and coworkers accuse her of being a Renaissance woman, and if that means one who focuses on the beauty of things and the moment, she is guilty. Born and raised in Massachusetts, Sophie was born to French Canadian immigrants. Her first language was French and she spent most of her early childhood summers with her sister Odile and her tante Yolande in La Durataye, Quebec. As a young child she danced ballet, tap and jazz. She also learned to knit and crochet. While living in Honolulu after college she discovered painting. By studying at home with the use of books, tapes and other works of art, she is essentially self-taught in painting. The rest was learned by many hours on the canvas and paper and a few art workshops. She has been successfully creating works of art since around 1995, selling and exhibiting more than 200 originals and prints of her works.
STYLE
Sophie uses a beginners mind approach to every painting and is continually experimenting with old and new techniques. For her, painting is much more of a spiritual endeavor than a task orientated one. She most closely associates her work with those of the French Impressionist, however she chooses to remain unlabeled in terms of a style, feeling as thought this is too limiting. For the land, city and sea scapes, just think airy, light, uplifting , and even fantastic in the use of color to create a mood. And for the florals just think "Wow those are really awesome. I love the colors and how grand they are!".
ARTISTS’ STATEMENT
I love painting. It really is that simple. My desire has always been to create something beautiful to look upon. And of course to have fun doing so! Desire is everything. My desire is to have people look at the work and think "that's beautiful" or "that's cool", "I love it!". My purpose in being a painter it to add beauty, love and light to this world. The visual arts are a great medium for this. My experience has been that ones spirits can be lifted simply by gazing upon beautiful works of art. I am very happy that many people have felt this way after looking at my work and it has given me validation that I am a success and the drive to continue creating more works of art. The subject matters of the work is influenced by friends, co-workers, Mother Nature, the unseen positive forces and even some pets!
I have sold well over 200 works of art and prints in my career so far. Most clients purchase mulitple pieces and really enjoy having original works of art in their homes and offices. I am so happy the work really is uplifiting and so well received. I feel blessed to share in creating a beautiful world and contributing to the happiness of so many others.
Thank God! And thanks to my many many friends, supporters, customers and admirers for believeing in me. No one makes it alone!
Be Happy, Have Fun, Do what you love, MEOW!
Sophie
MAJOR WORKS FOR SALE, PRIVATE COLLECTIONS AND INSTALLATIONS
2011
- "It's all about Hawaii" Floral Series. Three 9 x 12 pastel on paper framed of pink bananas, Three 9 x 12 pastel on paper framed of mystery fruit om hawaii, Three 9 x 12 pastel on paper of red birds of paradise; Six oil on linen paintings of fruits and flowers and landscape of Hawaii; Two 24 x 36 oil on canvas birds of paradise, Two 18 x 24 oil on canvas red bird of paradise, Two 18 x 24 oil on canvas shrimp plant; Six 18 x 24 oil on canvas plumeria; One 18 x 24 oil on canvas Gecko and One 24 x 36 oil on canvas of Gecko; Two 18 x 24 oil on canvas Heliconia; Two 9 x 12 oil on canvas baby shrimp plants; One 18 x 24 Bird om Paradise.
- Landscapes. Three 16 x 20 oil on canvas of Haystacks in Williamstown.
- "Wine Grapes" Series Continues. One 18 x 24 oil on canvas and Two 11 x 14 oil on canvas paitnings of wine grapes for Kelly's of Dalton, MA
- "Le Chat Noir dans 2011". Three 11 x 14 oil on canvas of "Guido". Many 9 x 12 pastels on paper.
- "2011 Year of the Lotus" Series. One 24 x 24 Oil on canvas, Two 24 x 36 oil on canvas, Two 11 x 14 oil on canvas, One 16 x 20 oil on canvas, Five 18 x 24 oil on canvas paintings of lotus flowers and their centers. Many 9 x 12 pastel on paper of lotus as well.
- Exhibit at Hawaii Theatre Center, Honolulu, HI
- Exhibit at Senator Downing's Office in Pittsfield, MA
- Exhibit/Show at Yoga Great Barrington
- Exhibit/Show at Shot's Cafe
- Ongoing Exhibit at Terpsichore Dance Center
2010
- "Orange Tulips" Series. Five 18 x 24; One 30 x 40; One 36 x 48 oil on canvas paintings of orange hued tulips. Four 9 x 12 pastel on paper
- "Pink Tulips" Series. Eleven 9 x 12 pastel on paper paintings of pink hued tulips.
- "Wine Grapes" Series. Five 18 x 24; One 12 x 12; One 24 x 36 oil on canvas paintings of various wine grape varieties. Three 9 x 12 pastel on paper painting of the same subject matter, framed.
- "Le Chat Noir Dans 2010" Series. Six 9 x 12; Two 11 x 14 pastel on paper painting. Three 9 x 12; One 11 x 14 oil on canvas paintings of le chat noir and peek-a-boo kitty.
-
"Bird Om Paradise". One 30 x 40 Oil on canvas painting in private collection in Honolulu, Hawaii
- On going series into 2011 and carrying forward from prior years include "The Lotus" - 5 works; "Garden of So" - 3 works; "Dance Girls" - 3 works and "Oooo La La" - 6 works
- 2 Exhibits at Senator Ben Downing's Offices in Pittsfield, Massachusetts
- Ongoing Exhibit at Terpsichore Dance Center
- Note cards in print and artwork for sale in stores in Massachusetts
- Dance images used for Terpsichore Dance Studio Annual Recital on t-shirts, tank tops, sweatshirts and cover of program and continues exhibit of dance paintings
- website launched after beginning planning in 2009
2009
- "Ocean Escapes" Series. Two 16x20 oil paintings of beach scenes from around the world (private collection); Two 18 x 24 oil paintings of beach scenes (private collection); One 24 x 30 oil painting of beach scene.
-
One 24 x 36 "Here Comes the Sun" oil painting; Two 9 x 12 oil paintings "Cat Tail" and "Cat Tails"; Two 18 x 24 oil paintings "Reeds and Water I & II"; Two 18 x 24 oil paintings "Serenity Beach Waves I & II"
- Ongoing Exhibit at Terpsichore Dance Center
2008
- "Paris" Series. Seven 18x24 oil paintings of the bridges in Paris. One 9x16 oil painting of bridge in Paris. One 9x12 oil painting of "La Conciergerie". One 9x12 oil painting of "L’Arc de Triomphe".
- Ongoing Exhibit at Terpsichore Dance Center
2006-2007
-
"Le Chat Noir" Series. Four 9x12 oil paintings:
"On the Prowl;" "Ocean View I" and "Ocean View II;" and "Bathing." - "I Love New York" Series. Two 9x12; three 18x24; two 11x16 cityscape oil paintings of the Manhattan skyline at dawn or dusk. Some titles include: "I Love New York I, II and III." Additional paintings from the series include two pastel paintings of Manhattan skyline.
-
"Lavender Fields" Series. Four 9x12 oil paintings all containing lavender fields in the foreground of the landscape.
-
"Poppy Fields" Series. Four 8x10 and one 18x24 landscape oil paintings with poppy fields in the foreground.
-
"What’s Your Pointe" Series. Three 18x24 oil paintings of satin Pointe shoes for ballet with wall background.
- Exhibit at Terpsichore Dance Center
2002-2005
-
"Center of the Soul" Series. Eight 18x24 oil paintings:
"Hibiscus;" "Forget Me Not;" "Cosmo;" "My Impatience;" "Pansy;" "Wild Flower;" "Verbena;" and "Petunia." -
"Ballet Class" Series. Nine 9x12 oil paintings:
"Ballet Slippers;" "All that Jazz;" "Pointe Shoes;" "Demi Plie;" "Tendu;" "Barre Stretch;" "Tendu Derriere;" "Degage;" and "Arabesque." -
Eight 18x24 oil paintings:
"Pointe Shoes;" "Need Feet;" "Sissone Passé;" "On Pointe;" "Demi Plie II;" "Les Deux Arabesque;" "Pose Ecarte Derriere" and "Ecarte." Additionally six 4x6 miniature paintings completed of ballet slippers and jazz shoes. Numerous paintings from the above two collections are on exhibit at Terpsichore Dance Center, Pittsfield, MA. -
Three 11x16 oil paintings:
"Back Attitude at the Barre;" "Arabesque Plie at the Barre" and "Grande Battement at the Barre." -
Three 18x24 oil paintings:
"The Yellow Tutu;’ "Steele Blue Tutu;" and "Taper with the Miss Liberty." -
"Ballerinas Belong Everywhere" Series. Five 18x24 oil paintings:
"In the Midst of Ruins;" "In the Midst of Eruptions;" "On the Sea;" "Overlooking Diamond Head;" "Hawaiian Ballerina." -
"Hawaiian Floral" Series. Two12x24 oil painting:
"King Protea"; "Plumeria" -
Eight 18x24 oil paintings:
"Heleconia;" "Two Birds of Paradise;" "Two of a Kind;" "Perfect Pair;" "Slide;" "Orange Orchids;" "Passion" and "White Plumerias." Additionally completed 9x12 preliminary paintings for the birds of paradise and watercolor drafts. -
One 24x36 oil painting:
"Necking" (Birds of Paradise) -
"The Tulip" Series. Four 24x24 oil paintings of tulips – Private Collection; One 18x24 oil on canvas tulip with bulb.
1995-2001
- Circa 100+ works of art created / sold / commissioned and on exhibit during these years.
Many additional works of art created but are not recorded above
