Jean Luc Lafitte

Jean Luc Lafitte was born in South Africa and spent his early childhood living on a farm. He was influenced from a young age by the South African wilderness, and his love of animals. He came to England aged 7 and was raised in the county of West Sussex. He has been influenced by great artist such as Calude Monet and William Russell Flint. Both these artist are masters of different styles, and this is what Jean Luc likes, because it mirrors in him and reminds him that his art does not need to conform. Jean Luc likes painting in acrylic because he finds it behaves like an oil in texture, but dries quicker. This gives him the ability to build up and paint over layers of colour. Jean luc's only teaching came from an Art Teacher at school, who recognised his talent at a young age, and encouraged him to push his boundaries. It was this very same teacher that secretly entered one of his paintings into a national painting competition in England, which to Jean Luc's surprise he won and was displayed in the famous National Portrait Gallery in London. His father was worked for the secret service, but was also a talented artist, and this is where Jean Luc believes his natural ability really comes from.