Canadian artist Alain Lévesque has made his mark in the automotive art world. His works are inspired by the Art Deco and Italian Futurism Movement and feature striking images of some of our favorite classic cars. He has done prestigious works for Porsche in Stuttgart, for Barrett-Jackson, even the city of New York invited Alain to paint the official poster of the Concours d’Élégance 2005 in Central Park. He also presented his work in Paris for Rétromobile, as well as Pebble Beach’s Concours d’Élégance.
His original pieces now hang on the walls of such acclaimed car aficionados like Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, Nicolas Cage, as well as Nick Mason of Pink Floyd. Mr. Lévesque’s work was even featured in the Spring 1996 edition of Cigar Aficionado magazine featuring Jean Bugatti’s masterpiece, the 1938 Type 57SC Atlantic.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with the artist and conducting the interview below.
Alain Lévesque’s works, including original pieces, as well as high quality prints, are available for purchase on our online shop FourteenNinetyTwo.com. Check out Alain Levesque’s page to see which works are currently available.
Here is an excerpt of our conversation (Some parts have been edited by the author).
Antonio Marsillo (Marsillo) You have been painting automotive art for over 30 years. Tell us how you got inspired and started in that art genre.
Alain Lévesque (Lévesque) Visiting London in the late 80s, I discovered an Art gallery on Pall Mall street the “Khachadourian Automotive Art gallery”. I entered and discover with wonder a parallel universe called “Automotive Art”. When chatting with the Khachadourian brothers we agreed to make a kind of test run in order to create new pieces for them. Three months later, I returned to London to deliver two paintings of mine, and our collaboration goes on for more than a decade. A year later, visiting New York, I’ve made a similar discovery. 30 years later, I still enjoy working with “l’Art et l’Automobile Gallery” and Jacques Vaucher now located in Texas.
PINK FLOYD DRUMMER A FAN
(Marsillo) Over the years some very car fanatics have purchased your pieces. I heard that you met Nick Mason, drummer and founding member of Pink Floyd through your art. Tell us about that encounter.
(Lévesque) I was invited by Porsche of Stuttgart to produce an art piece on a body part of a 911 that I had received in Montebello. After I delivered the piece, I was invited back to Germany where we went on the famous Nürburgring circuit. I was introduced to some drivers, among them Nick Mason. Without knowing who he was, until he mention to me; “Alain I have one of your paintings at my home”.
JAY LENO’s FAMOUS GARAGE
(Marsillo) Jay Leno has a big mural of your work in his famous car garage. How did that come about?
(Lévesque) I met Jay Leno at Pebble Beach where I was invited to present my works. Jay pointed at my painting of a Miller car in which he liked the Art deco style. He told me “that would be great to have a large print of that Miller as a backdrop for my web series “Jay Leno’s Garage”. So I sent the digital file to his assistant and the result is a 20 x 15 ft print that’s in his garage.
See the video with Jay Leno HERE with Alain’s work in the backdrop.
(Marsillo) You paint some very exotic cars. Are there any that stand out as personal favorites?
(Lévesque) I’ve always been drawn to the Aston Martin and Porsche designs. Also, 20 years ago I was been introduced to Luigi Chinetti in Paris, his extensive knowledge of Ferrari historic design help me to get a wider knowledge of Ferrari and exotic cars in general.
N.A.R.T., Enzo Ferrari and Luigi Chinetti Jr.
(Marsillo) One of the prints we have on exhibit and for sale is the “Monza”, is signed by Luigi Chinetti Jr. Tell us about the photo of you in the Ferrari that you painted, and the story of why Luigi Chinetti Jr. and Sr. are important in the car world.
(Levesque) Luigi Chinetti Sr. was the expert technician-pilot for his close friend Enzo Ferrari in the 40ies. He had won the LeMans race already twice before in the 30s prior to his victory in 1949 giving Ferrari their first LeMans win. By winning the first Le Mans trophy on Ferrari car in 1949 he established a notoriety with “La Marque”. In the late 50ies-early / 60ies he was approached by Ferrari to try out with consumer road cars from his garage based downtown Manhattan, N.Y, and became the first importer for Ferrari beginning in the late 40s until the late 70s.
Mr. Chinetti won Le Mans for a second time in 1965 on a Ferrari 250 LM Badged N.A.R.T. (North American Racing Team) which he had just created. Many other victories came in the 60ies and 70ies under Ferrari N.A.R.T. badge.
Luigi Chinetti Jr. himself, a LeMans racer, finishing 5th in 1971, continues with the restoration of Ferrari automobiles from his Modena atelier. The photo was taken in 2000 with Mr Chinetti, his Indianapolis car and myself with the painting I had done of it. We are with Jacques Vaucher the owner of l’art et l’automobile of East Hampton, New York.
THE CAR LOVER AND ARTIST
(Marsillo) Would you consider yourself a “car aficionado “?
(Levesque) My knowledge in automobile is mostly oriented on the design aspect. Like most North American boys growing up in the 60s, I was surrounded by Camaros, Mustangs and Chargers. For those we knew everything about them! Is it good enough to receive the “Aficionado” label? I don’t know, but the thing I know is it brought so much joy to our youth.
(Marsillo) How often do you paint new pieces?
(Levesque) The production of a new piece is a rather long process for me due to numerous sketches, that explains a rather low year production of less than 10 pieces.
(Marsillo) I always had an idea about how hard it must be for an artist to sell an original and only print. Knowing that you may never see your original print again, how do you prepare yourself knowing that, aside from a reprint, the original piece is gone?
(Levesque) Since my productions are mostly on a “commissions” basis, the art creation is already oriented toward a specific person with their specifications. The others that sell directly from my personal production tend have little more resistance to leave my studio!
(Marsillo) In terms of your work, do you typically start with and pencil sketch, and then work from there, or do you start right away on a canvas with full color?
I usually start with numerous pencil drawings from which I choose the most satisfying result, followed by a color version sketch with “gouache” technique. When I reach the perfect palette, I am ready to launch onto canvas with oil colors.
Nicholas Cage’s yellow Ferrari at Peterson Museum along with Alain Levesque poster.
Antonio has been travelling to Cuba since 1999. He has visited Havana countless times, as well as most areas of the island extensively. Moreover, he is a graduate of the Habanos Academia Master program. His “go to cigars” are Ramon Allones Specially Selected, Cohiba Siglo VI, Hoyo de Monterrey Double Coronas and Por Larranaga Petit Corona.
