Featured Artist Frederic Lecut
Fascinated by the ancient art of mosaic, self-taught artist Frederic Lecut portrays the emotions of his subjects by focusing on their eyes. Learn more about this artist and his passion by visiting his website.
“Afghan Girl” Granite, Marble, Ceramic and Glass on Wood Framed Cement Board, 36” x 14”
I was born in Abbeville, a small town in northern France in July, 1957. At a young age, I was looking for artifacts left by men of past times and visiting museum and archaeological digs. I was particularly fond of Roman sites decorated with wonderful mosaics.
“Miriam’s Eyes” Granite, Travertine, Marble, Ceramic and Glass on Wood Framed Cement Board, 39” x 21”
I studied mechanical and nuclear engineering, served my military time abroad and pursued an international career working for several organizations and companies.
“Blue Carole” Glass on Wood Framed Cement Board , 49” x 18”
In 2001, I abandoned the corporate world to dedicate myself to my two passions—martial and visual arts. In Provence in 2003, I met a mosaicist whose gorgeous creations reminded me of Roman frescoes and mosaics, and I decided to try this myself. When I returned to the United States, I purchased some tools and went to work.
“Carole’s Eyes” Glass on Wood Framed Cement Board, 47” x 17”
My technique is influenced both by the past mosaics of the Roman Empire and by futuristic 21st century digital technologies.
Artist Frederic Lecut at work in his studio
I am basically self-taught. Mosaics are a very technical and challenging medium. I read a few books and tried to understand how mosaics were created. With relatively primitive tools, Roman and Byzantine craftsmen and artists created wonders. I spent lots of time and energy traveling to study their work and experimenting in my studio figuring out their techniques to use them in my creations.
“Maribel’s Eyes” Granite, Ceramic and Glass on Wood Framed Cement Board , 51” x 14”
I also believe that using words or repeating methods executed in the past brings us in communion with our ancestors. Even when I am in Alabama, as I am using the tools Roman mosaicists used to mount the floors of Pompeii, I feel that I am in tune with them. I think and feel like they did when they were at work. I hope this communion beyond time and space allows me to tap into their psyche to create pieces that will fill my patrons with awe, like the ancient mosaics still do for us.
“Yezidi Boy’s Eyes” Ceramic and Glass on Wood Framed Cement Board, 50” x 18”
At the same time, I am also fascinated by 21st century digital technology and the concept of open source. I constantly experiment to develop new techniques that will allow the creation of new kinds of art and styles never seen before.
“Yezidi Female Fighter” Glass on Wood Framed Cement Board , 50” x 18”
In 2015, I came up with a unique technique that allows the mosaicist to create different mosaic variations of the same theme or model. In its principle, Opus Pixellatum is similar to sheet music that allows the accomplished musician to interpret a theme in different styles.
“Black and White Veil” Granite, Slate, Travertine and Glass on Wood Framed Cement Board, 35” x 28”
In 2016, I started to create mosaics using both ancient and modern techniques in many different ways. The results are amazing. Because the possible variations are inexhaustible, I also share some of these techniques with other craftsmen and artists so they too can experiment with them.
The eyes are the mirror of the soul.
“Sean Connery’s Eyes” Granite, Travertine, Marble, Ceramic and Glass on Wood Framed Cement Board, 49” x 14”
I believe art should generate strong, positive emotions in the mind and heart of the beholder. Most of my work is about the eyes of real people. I portray the eyes of celebrities, of Afghan and Syrian refugees and of other people. I try to convey their feelings, emotions and experiences. I strive to portray the soul behind the eyes. My first portraits were accurate and realistic representations of those eyes. In 2017, I started to incorporate additional elements to my compositions to reinforce the emotional aspect of my eyes portraits.
back