San Mateo Public Library Art Gallery Features Work By French Artist

SAN MATEO, CA —The San Mateo Public Library's First Floor Art Gallery is now hosting a show featuring visually-stunning paintings created using materials and techniques that date back to the Middle Ages.

The exhibition features the work of Jean-Marc Brugeilles, a Marin County-based artist originally from Lyon, France. The show began Thursday and will run until August 30.

According to show organizers, Brugeilles creates paintings that have a surreal quality, often are inspired by dreams and tell stories that are rich in symbols and essential myths.

"When I create a painting, I feel like I am taking a walk in the forest of the interior of myself, discovering the mysterious places in the depths," Brugeilles said, according to his website. "My paintings always have stories and meaning, and sometimes stories within stories."

According to Brugeilles' website, the artist creates his paintings using various time-consuming techniques that date back centuries. He builds his own chassis from scratch and then stretches linen canvas, which is then covered with hot rabbit glue or lime with plaster to create a ready-to-paint surface.

Additionally, Brugeilles only uses paints that he makes himself with specialized colored powders, linen oil and copal resin.

Brugeilles' paintings were displayed at the San Mateo Public Library in May and June, and last year he exhibited his work at the Quatrième Biennale Arts in Beynost, France.