Artistry first came to Régine Mercier as a teenager when she received basic training in drawing from the sisters of Christ the King, in her hometown of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. She was later introduced to painting by a family member, the late artist Raoul Viard, who taught her to draw from her own internal inspiration rather than from the influence of other artists. In 1970, Régine moved from Haiti to the USA where she temporarily stopped painting in order to concentrate on her career. Although she continued to draw in her spare time, it was not until 1992 that she was truly inspired to resume painting. Her inspiration was the result of frequent business trips to Central and South America where she became acquainted with and fascinated by the native art of the region. Being an avid collector, particularly of Haitian paintings, it was difficult for Régine to not be influenced by the artists she has come to admire. Consequently, feeling her way she painted mostly for family and friends. With time, however, she began exploring different techniques, using different palettes, and experimenting with different mediums, thereby allowing her to acquire her unique style. Régine predominantly enjoys painting women’s faces because of the multitude of emotions that can be reflected in them. In her paintings, she has captured grace, beauty, serenity, and complexity, in addition to the myriad of emotions that women feel. Through this theme, Régine has been able to develop her signature style, a distinctive expression attained by using a “V” as the nose of her subjects. In addition, she favors bright colors, showing a particular preference for shades of yellow and green.
Selected Exhibitions: Group2007 : FIU Pembroke Pines
2008 : Broward Library Pines
2006/07 : City of Pembroke Pines Glass Gallery
2005 : Galerie D’Art Nader – Miami, FL
2004 : Homestead branch library - "Haitian Women Life, Dreams, and Realities” – Miami, FL
2004 : Hammonds House Gallery "VISUAL EXPRESSION - HAITIAN WOMEN ARTISTS"– Atlanta, GA
2003 : Mr Fashion Art Gallery – Miami, FL
2000 : Broward County Library – Fort Lauderdale, FL
2000 : Alliance Française – Miami, FL
Solo
2005 : Private Studio Show – Miami, FL
2004 : Private Studio Show – Miami, FL
2003 : Private Studio Show – Miami, FL
2002 : Private Studio Show – Miami, FL
2002 : Gwen Margolis Center - Women's Month Celebration - Miami, FL
2001 : Teatro Marti “
La Realidad de un Espejismo” Miami, FL
2000 : Universidad La Salle – Mexico City, Mexico
1999 : Vie & Art Collections – Miami, FL
1999 : Calico Art Gallery – New York, NY
Selected Permanent Collections
Universidad La Salle – Mexico City, Mexico Alliance Française – Miami, FL Dr. Lucio, Rector of the Universidad La Salle In Mexico
Award and Honors:
2000 Proclamation, City of Miami, FL
2000 Certificate of Appreciation, Broward Public Library
Bibliography:
2002 Haitian Artists in The Diaspora – Page 74
Artist Statement
“…The faces represented in my paintings are used as symbols of life. Each of my paintings is a synthesis of the multi-cultural experiences that have influenced my creative consciousness. When this multitude of inner images surfaces and is captured into a painting, the experience is intended to portray the simplification of life and its evolution.” Régine Mercier
