BIO
Born and raised in France among the ravages of WWII, George Colliat studied in France. After a Fulbright scholarship at Stanford University in California, his life meandered between Canada, France, Arizona, and California. Along the way, he built a family, an engineering career, and values that transcend his initial strict Catholic upbringing.
Unexpectedly, he ended up becoming a US citizen and a High-Tech engineering executive in California. Retired from industry, he is now an adjunct faculty at Arizona State University. He has also rediscovered fine art and in particular painting that was his first passion as a child.
He shares his time between his residences in Phoenix, Arizona and the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, Elke who immigrated from Germany. The following book describes his journey, for the benefit of his family and friends, and anyone interested in life story: My Life: English - French
Born and raised in France among the ravages of WWII, George Colliat studied in France. After a Fulbright scholarship at Stanford University in California, his life meandered between Canada, France, Arizona, and California. Along the way, he built a family, an engineering career, and values that transcend his initial strict Catholic upbringing.
Unexpectedly, he ended up becoming a US citizen and a High-Tech engineering executive in California. Retired from industry, he is now an adjunct faculty at Arizona State University. He has also rediscovered fine art and in particular painting that was his first passion as a child.
He shares his time between his residences in Phoenix, Arizona and the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, Elke who immigrated from Germany. The following book describes his journey, for the benefit of his family and friends, and anyone interested in life story: My Life: English - French
Artist Statement
I paint what moves me, the expression in animals and people, the colors and movements in landscapes. I try to render the essence of this emotion with my own personal style inspired by realism and expressionism. I use oil and acrylic on canvas, focusing on drawing, values, and color. I find my inspiration for landscapes through my travels, mostly California, Arizona, and Europe. Portraits and animals are usually of friends and family or commissioned.
I was influenced by my art teachers in France and my mentor, the artist Pierre Pelloux. More recently, I discovered the art of painting portraits with the figurative artist Mike Malm at the Scottsdale Art School in Arizona. The artist and instructor at San Mateo Community College District, Aina Ferrer Clotas, challenged me to stretch beyond my comfort zone.
I paint what moves me, the expression in animals and people, the colors and movements in landscapes. I try to render the essence of this emotion with my own personal style inspired by realism and expressionism. I use oil and acrylic on canvas, focusing on drawing, values, and color. I find my inspiration for landscapes through my travels, mostly California, Arizona, and Europe. Portraits and animals are usually of friends and family or commissioned.
I was influenced by my art teachers in France and my mentor, the artist Pierre Pelloux. More recently, I discovered the art of painting portraits with the figurative artist Mike Malm at the Scottsdale Art School in Arizona. The artist and instructor at San Mateo Community College District, Aina Ferrer Clotas, challenged me to stretch beyond my comfort zone.