For more than 20 years Vallarta was fortunate to have Patrick Denoun as a resident artist. Originally from France but more a citizen of the world, Patrick provided us with art that was continually evolving and fascinating, for Patrick was not one to be complacent and just paint what he knew would sell. Patrick was a man consumed by fresh ideas crying out to be expressed.

Sometimes his ability to deliver was limited by the fact that he could only paint so fast, connecting what was in his head to canvas as rapidly as the perfectionist he was only could. But at other times it became more complicated; he would actually have to learn new ways of expressing himself, not just with the paintbrush or pencil but also in other media, in order to produce that which raged in his mind. Such was the case when he first was introduced to digital photography and Photoshop - he saw these as the tools needed to produce what he saw. To do so he turned away from painting for a while, until his skill with the camera and computer matched that with his paintbrush. When it all came together, the results were simply amazing, sometimes provocative but always well worth the wait!

When he made these transitions the change was often dramatic, a major paradigm shift where the new art often looked like it could’ve come from another artist. This is how he challenged himself - all the time. And the end results were simply fascinating to see and, if you were fortunate, to watch evolve. For Patrick, an exhibition was an opportunity to show the world what he had discovered. He never painted for us, his audience; he painted to release his endless stream of artistic energy. Fortunately for us all, we still have his art to remember him by. But I certainly will miss next season’s exhibit, as will many.

Patrick died in a motorcycle accident near his Vallarta home on April 8, 2007. He is survived by his wife, Kathy, and his two children, Max and Sasha. His art continues to be exhibited at Galería Pacífico.