“Homecoming” courtesy of Patric Fourshe
“Homecoming” is one of the many colorful art pieces on display in Fourshé’s exhibit in the Daughtrey Gallery in the Sage Center.
Patric Fourshé, lecturer in art at Hillsdale College, opened his digital art exhibit in the Daughtrey Gallery Oct. 31. The exhibit features Fourshé’s personal works along with many of his advertising pieces he has done commercially and for the college.
Fourshé’s artwork reveals his fertile imagination and artistic sensitivity. From quiet, surreal works like “Seasoning Satellite” to brilliant, joyful pieces such as “Creation,” Fourshé’s appreciation for variety is plainly evident. His personal works, though widely diverse, are unified in their emotional significance. When asked which piece was especially meaningful to him, Fourshé said, “I love them all.”
Fourshé said he describes his work as “visuals of the mind.” His art originates in his own imagination and is created to evoke an emotional response. A fine example of this is his piece entitled “CruiseNoir.” The image features an old style automobile, with Fourshé at the wheel, starting forth on a pleasant cruise through a still, nighttime landscape. Fourshé’s said his work is influenced by his love for classic cars and midnight rides.
“Doing this is kind of a visual memory,” Fourshé said.
On his website, www.fourshe.com, Fourshé describes the history of his artistic inspiration. He explains how his preschool teacher praised one of his finger paintings above the rest of the class. This incident is his first memory of his interest in art.
Fourshé also displays many of his commercial pieces. On one wall of the exhibit, he presents several different advertising posters designed for the same company.
Fourshé said in his description of the process that the artist creates many separate images, taking care to make each one the best it can be. The company then chooses which option they wish to market.
To create his artwork, Fourshé said he begins with rough, ball-point pen sketches, seeking to define the idea he has in his head. He said he then turns to the computer to solidify and perfect the concept with color and digital effects. His works are printed with high quality ink on archival paper, making them lasting pieces of artwork. Fourshé said he is very adamant in having every step of the process done by his own hand.
“That way I can have control over every step, to make sure the quality is good,” Fourshé said.
On top of working at the college, Fourshé said he has also begun his own company, called Digital Dots, focusing on commercial design. During the summers, Fourshé said he takes to the road, applying for shows to exhibit his work and make his name known. A culmination of Fourshé’s work can be found on his website, along with a biography of his career, a brief description of his artwork and information on how to order prints. His show will stay open until Nov. 20, and prints will continue to be available in the gallery.