L'Espirit Libre

L’Esprit Libre: My Journey Immersed in French Art and Culture

When I decided to paint L’esprit Libre, a collection of 23 paintings, I knew I had to experience it in France—the birthplace of many artistic revolutions. This was more than a project; it was a mission to immerse myself entirely in European art and culture. At the time, I didn’t realize how profoundly this experience would shape me, not just as an artist but as a person.

Louvre Glass Pyramid 1 | MacDonald Gallery

I could hardly wait to see the Louvre Glass Pyramid.

Arriving in Paris felt like stepping into a living masterpiece. The air itself seemed imbued with history and creativity. My priorities were simple yet daunting: find a place to live and learn French. At that point, my French vocabulary was embarrassingly limited to greetings, the words “orange” and “goodbye.” After spending the previous year in Latin America, I was comfortable navigating in Spanish, but French was an entirely new challenge.

The moment I exited Gare d’Austerlitz, I felt overwhelmed. The grandeur of Paris and the unfamiliarity of the language hit me all at once. I needed a moment to regroup, so I crossed the street to a McDonald’s—a strange but comforting universal sanctuary. Sitting in a corner with my travel books spread out, I realized I had arrived in Paris with more passion than preparation. My only guiding principle was a vague sense of direction.

It was a blessing when the attendant at the third hotel I tried spoke Spanish. That small connection felt like a lifeline, and I spent the next few days hopping between hotels before settling into one where I stayed over a total of 90 days the first year. As for the L’espirt Libre Collection I completed it on a little over a month stay in Paris. With a stable place to rest my head, the next step was finding a French teacher.

Typical artist dinner Paris | MacDonald Gallery

Not an uncommon dinner for me as a “non” starving artist.

Having learned Spanish through intense one-on-one sessions, I was determined to do the same with French. Luck was on my side when I found an elderly teacher who spoke Spanish and shared my love for art. She had spent time in Argentina and sincerely appreciated the creative process. We formed an instant connection, and I began taking several hours of lessons daily. Our sessions were a mix of language instruction, art discussions, and cultural exchange. She became more than a teacher—she became a guide to the soul of France.

With the basics of French under my belt, I could finally begin immersing myself in the art and culture that had drawn me to France in the first place. Regular visits to iconic museums like the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and Petit Palais became my routine. Each masterpiece I encountered felt like a conversation across time, with artists like Monet, Van Gogh, and Picasso whispering their secrets to me. Walking through these galleries, I wasn’t just observing art—I was living it. (For some of my cultural experiences see: Ooh La La French Culture.)

I get the same reoccurring thrill each time I enter Musée d’Orsay.

It was during these moments of profound inspiration that L’esprit Libre began to take shape. The collection reflects my deep dive into the French spirit—the freedom, vibrancy, and emotion that I found in the art and the daily rhythms of Parisian life. Whether it was the golden light on the Seine, the chatter in a bustling café, or the serene quiet of a museum, every experience found its way onto my canvas.

This time in France wasn’t just about creating a collection; it was about transformation. I arrived as a stranger, unsure of myself and the culture, and left with a profound connection to the land and its legacy. Each painting in L’esprit Libre holds a piece of that journey—a testament to the power of art and the beauty of embracing the unknown.

The Premise of L’Esprit Libre

When I set out to create L’Esprit Libre, I aimed to capture the essence of my initial immersion into Parisian art and culture. This collection reflects my raw, unfiltered impressions of the city—a vibrant mix of awe, inspiration, and discovery. Most paintings came to life spontaneously, driven by what I felt in the moment, without prior planning. Only a few were sketched out on canvas beforehand.

Painting on the “L’espirit Libre” painting. Paris.

To be completely “authentic” to my parisian commitment, I purchased all art supplies in Paris, and yes, they have French titles. Nearly all the works were completed “alla prima,” embracing the immediacy and intensity of creation. There was, however, one exception: Un Ami dans la Nuit. After returning to the U.S., I had a wild notion that I should have mixed some “Jack Daniels” into the paint for that piece—a symbolic nod to its emotional depth.

True to my commitment that all the paintings should be authentically created in Paris with art supplies from Paris, I brought the painting and original paint back with me on a subsequent trip, along with some whiskey from the original bottle of “Jack” I had kept as a memory. In the same room where I first painted it, I fulfilled that quirky vision, blending whiskey into the paint as I added new layers.

For me, L’Esprit Libre is as much about the process as the final pieces—a raw and honest expression of my journey through art, French Culture, and the extraordinary city of Paris.

The L’esprit Libre collection of 23 paintings is completed and beautifully framed, embodying the essence of freedom and inspiration that guided its creation. However, this project is much more expansive than the paintings alone. At this point, I’m not ready to reveal all the details, as it continues to evolve into something even more significant. My vision for L’esprit Libre remains a work in progress, and I look forward to its full realization in 2025. Until then, I am excited to let the collection speak for itself and hint at the broader journey still unfolding.