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Edi Bousquet

"I was born in 1938 in Rio de Janeiro and all my life I have been connected to art. In the beginning art was an expression of talent and then it was a hobby. Now, it is a profession.

"I began to draw at around nine years old, when I spent vacations at my godmother's house, where I had a turtle as my only playmate. In order to combat boredom, I used to draw for hours. I exectued my first painting at 13 years of age, without the knowledge of any technique, simply taking to the canvas the same things I had done on paper.

"Since my first job, I have been involved with art. Soon after serving in the army I took a course in artistic drawing and became involved with advertising and graphic arts, working in agencies, magazines, and publishing houses. During this time, I maintained painting as a hobby. However, when I retired in 1995, I embraced painting as a profession. At first I sold paintings to friends. Then, three years ago, I began to show my work at an open air gallery, and I continue to do so today.

"I became tired of always painting in the same style, which seemed so similar to that of so many others. I wanted to get away from the conventional. In February of 2000 I developed this mosaic style. It is a lot of work! First I draw and test the effect of colors on paper, making a dry run of what I will later take to the canvas. Then, I begin to paint.

"Since the first week I began to show this new style I have received a great response. People would pass by the pieces and ask to be able to touch them, doubting that the pieces were done only with paint. I incorporate the aesthetic of the mosaic not only in my figures but also in my compositions, infusing entire canvases with movement.

"I hope that with Novica I will have the same success. Even though people will not be able to touch my pieces to see if it is made with tiles or paint, the work has a very strong visual appeal that I believe will touch those who are navigating their ways through the internet."