Pol Ledent is a Belgian artist who started painting with oil and watercolors in 1989. His work has been featured in numerous galleries and exhibits in Dinant, Bouillon, Brussels , Paris and Moscow. Additionally, he is a permanent artist in the Voshan Gallery in Palo Alto, California.

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wild boars sunset

Where were you born, where do you live now, any other background info?

I was born in a little village called Houyet situated in the Southern French-speaking part of Belgium (Europe), called “the Ardennes.” Many Americans know this region as this is where the famous ‘Battle of the Bulge’ took place in 1945. Though the atmosphere is generally dark, it is a peaceful countryside with many forests and spots of very bright light! I am still living there to this day! You can see much of this atmosphere by looking at my Landscapes gallery, which inspired many of my works.

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deer springing

How would you describe your work?

I paint different things in different ways because I don’t want to be a prisoner of a particular kind of subject or technique. I am paint landscapes, flowers, nudity and abstract. Abstract is, for me, the most difficult because you have to start from nothing and really create!

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What processes and techniques do you use to create your work?

I typically paint with oil and watercolors. I sometimes use very watery oil paints, which gives the paint a similar consistency to watercolors. Before painting women , I usually paint some abstract form first and then start the drawing part; I usually finish the painting with an old technique called “glassis.”

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Landscape Fall and river

Are you a full time artist?

I am now retired. I used to be a teacher in a secondary school in Belgium though! As teaching didn’t bring me much satisfaction, I left school as soon as I could! People consider me as a full time artist.

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Grey bunch of flowers

How did you get started?

I started painting at the age of 40, it was like a revelation . I just realized that I was able to paint. And once I started I never stopped.

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Any notable accomplishments?

No , except the fact that via the internet I can display and sell my paintings worldwide! It’s remarkable to think that my painting career would  have been impossible a mere 30 years ago!

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Where can we find more info and keep up with your work?

To keep in contact, you can have a look at my site ledent.net. You can also see my other site where I regularly upload my new paintings polledent.be.

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What artists inspire you?

In art, you always have a father or many fathers! Van Gogh, Monet, and many French and Italian contemporary artists inspire me!

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Bunch of flowers