I always have my head in the clouds, and painting permits me to create an imaginary universe between outer space and the depth of the oceans: a refuge to which I can escape the contemporary reality. In turn, I offer my viewers the ability to join me. I believe the traditional oil painting is the best way to share my thoughts and for the last 35 years, I have strived to bring it to perfection, as I want the viewer to focus on the subject and not the medium. I stack the layers of meaning (aesthetic, political, ecological, symbolic and allegorical) in an endless construction set (alliterations of words, shapes, numbers or letters) always using the Golden Ratio. Not to confuse the issue or by intellectual arrogance, but on the contrary, to reach a greater majority of people able to understand the message. The transposition of reality into an underwater world generates some humor, but hides more meanings. In addition, there’s my willing to share some knowledge and to build a better word. I want keen viewers to create their own story from my paintings or to seek its occult meaning. Therein, by way of an intellectual game, it’s not a direct message that I send, but a more covert or subtle one. I’m a Surrealist – a painter of imagination, but I won’t be surprised to be considered part of the Figuration Narrative. However, nobody has yet cracked my Code, which will let the viewer regard me as a Conceptual artist. In order to do that, more than just considering the influences of Salvador Dali, The Mystic Lamb by Jan Van Eyck, Vermeer, The Isle of the Dead by Böcklin, one should think about the influence of writings of Georges Perec or movies by Peter Greenaway. Pascal Lecocq, Ph.D 2014 DOB June 4th, 1958, Fontainebleau, France 1973-1977 Student of Mrs. Yvonne Bouisset-Mignon, Art school Ecole Comairas (Foundation Taylor), Fontainebleau, France, while in High school 1978-1985 Studied Arts at University of Paris VIII 1985 Doctorate of Arts, Directed by Prof. Franck Popper 1977 First solo exhibition at 18 (38 paintings and drawings), Fontainebleau, France 1982 Moved to Normandy (West coast), France Since 1977 300 solo exhibitions in 17 countries Since 1986 Registered as full time Professional Fine Art Artist Since 1986 Author of hundred articles and conferences on painting and on opera, particularly on the technique of Ancient Masters and on Anatomy. Regular contributor to art magazines Techniques des Arts and Artistes et Techniques (1986-1990) and author of several collective books about the technique of painting 1986-1996 Set design and costumes design for European Opera Houses including the complete Ring and Parsifal by Richard Wagner. 29 productions 1989-2000 Opened and managed his own gallery-studio in Honfleur, Normandy, France 1993 Corrida (The Matador) released. Pascal’s signature painting (published in 96 papers in 20 countries) 1996-2002 Exhibited in French Museums: Ex Voto (Capucins Museum, Coulommiers), Grids and Lights (Capucins Museum, Coulommiers and Marquelet Museum, Meaux), Homage to Böcklin’s Isle of the Dead (Bossuet Museum, Meaux) 1998 First American solo exhibition in Los Angeles Since 1999 Pictures under license with the wear company Uzzi (USA), 100000s items worldwide 2003 Moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA 2012-2013 First exhibition in an American Museum: Sharks, Museum of Arts, Fort Lauderdale