Stories

If you've ever been to Paris you will have been over-whelmed with art galleries and museums, artists painting in the street, scenes around every corner just waiting to be committed to a sketch book or canvas.

So you might wonder what on earth Parisian Artist Benoit Philippe finds to inspire him in Swindon compared to the French capital.

Clouts Wood near Wroughton

Having moved to Swindon in 1997, Benoit considers himself a true Swindonian and is passionate about Wiltshire's biggest town: "I find there are so many nice places in and around Swindon to paint and I'm staggered when people say, you've come from Paris how on earth can you like Swindon!

"I say to those people open your eyes, look there are so many nice parks and buildings. I also have people who tell me they didn't know places existed in Swindon until they saw my paintings."

Early Snow, Lawn, Swindon

Painting from the age of 12 years old, Benoit now paints in oil, water colours and pastels. Working in oil makes certain scenes come to life, painting in watercolour allows Benoit to use both rapid execution and a wide range of techniques, to get the best from his painting and pastels because they combine the transparency of watercolour and the brightness of oil.

Benoit exhibits his work in galleries around Wiltshire and has recently show his work on the 35 square metres Big Screen at Wharf Green in the town, he said:

Snowy umbrella, Lawns, Swindon

"It is really impressive to see your paintings on such a big screen, it's opening art up to people that might never have been to a gallery before. It's a way of taking art to the streets. Hopefully people will see the art on the Big Screen and then want to go to a gallery because they like what they see."

Before moving to Swindon Benoit lived in Paris for 30 years and thinks he finds the town so inspirational as he can see it through an outsiders eyes. His portfolio includes Marlborough Town Hall, the Lawn in Swindon, Union Row in Old Town and Clouts Wood near Wroughton. Benoit describes his own art as "drawing with light" and has no plans to leave Swindon and return to Paris.