Pascale Pratte, 1974 | Abstract / Mixed Media painter

Canadian painter** Pascale Pratte began her artistic career at a very young age, initially selling her handmade greeting cards in Old Montreal at age of 10.

Four years later, her cards had grown so popular that they could be found throughout Quebec, in France, as well as in Belgium. At the age of 27, Pascale Pratte received her second wave of success, this time as a painter.

Thierry Garnier-Lafond, 1960 | Surrealist / Symbolist painter

Thierry Garnier-Lafond is an Algerian painter.
From 1978-1981: diploma of the College of Decorative arts of Poitiers;
From 1982-1984: graphic designer freelance in region Poitou-Charentes;
From 1984-2009: Painter, graphic designer in the press and the printing office and on Web.

Manage at once his two activities of graphic designer and painter for 25 years. Some of his paintings are present in numerous collections deprived in France, Italy, Slovenia and USA.

Paul Jaarsma, 1957

My name is Paul Jaarsma, born in Melbourne, Australia on the 1957. I had many occupations, before I dare to live as a professional artist. My career started as a merchant navy officer at Shell Tankers. After seven years on the high seas. I switched to a quit different profession: Owner and sport instructor of a fitness centre.

Marie-Guillemine Benoist | Neoclassical painter

Marie Guillemine Benoist (1768-1826) was born in Paris.

Her training as an artist began in 1781 under Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun, and she entered Jacques-Louis David's atelier in 1786 along with her sister Marie-Élisabeth Laville-Leroux.

The poet Charles-Albert Demoustier, who met her in 1784, was inspired by her in creating the character Émile in his work Lettres à Émilie sur la mythologie (1801).

Colours of Pompeii

The Roman world was a mass of colour - most clearly preserved in Pompeii.

In wealthy houses, mosaics, frescoes and marble panelling formed a multi-coloured backdrop to painted sculpture, terracotta objects and furniture - as well, of course, did textiles and soft furnishings.

Public temples and other monuments featured vibrant decorations, while the streets blazed with painted signs and adverts for shops, bars, and politicians.