Jacques Drapeau
Email:
Jacques Drapeau
How does one properly pronounce my name? One has to keep in mind that the name is French, and French is a weird language. French uses a lot of letters to create simple sounds. In English, my first name might be spelled Zhawk – that’s how it’s pronounced. Drapeau is pronounced similar to chateau or plateau. When telephone callers request JAY-KWEEZ DRAP-YOU, I often hang up. They’re usually telemarketers.
I live in Longview. I came here in 1974, to work for Longview Fibre Company. After 34 years, 3 months, and 16 days with the company, during a “mill reorganization”, I was let go. I’m now an unemployed bum, or retired, depending on how you want to look at it.
My educational credits include a b.a. from Whittier College in chemistry and physics, a b.s. from USC in chemical engineering, and an m.s. from U.W. in chemical engineering. This doesn’t sound like training for an artist, does it?
I took an Advanced Art class at Newton Junior High School in Hacienda Heights, California in 7th grade -- in 1962. This is the only formal training I have had in art. I did take three years of drafting classes in high school, and one year in college. Also, I’ve watched Bob Ross and other painters do artwork on television. Plus, I subscribe to "Artists" magazine and occasionally read articles in it, and I do have some books on drawing and painting.
I’ve had two showings of my paintings at the Longview Public Library. My paintings have also shown at the Cowlitz County Fair, at the Western Washington State Fair in Puyallup, at a Columbia Arts Guild competition in St. Helens, and in some Columbian Artists Association shows. The only gallery my paintings have been shown at was the Hawaii Art Gallery in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii – which is now defunct.
My paintings include a lot of trains and dinosaurs. Most small boys are interested in trains and dinosaurs. In the normal course of events, boys grow out of these interests. Does this mean I haven't grown up?
