Richard Beau Lieu

Biography of a
Sculptor & Artist

rom the French, Beau lieu means, literally, beautiful place. And it is both appropriate and ironic that it should. For it is in this place, known only for the scenes and scents of common industry, that Richard Beau Lieu will create some of the finest sculptures and three dimensional, mixed media compositions available today. Richard Beau Lieu, an American Artist, founded Beau Lieu Sculpture Studios in 1984 in Boynton Beach, Florida.

Beau Lieu's works can be seen in galleries, public buildings and institutions through out the world. His affiliation with international art organizations and National Environmental Groups is noteworthy. In 1989, he was the recipient of the Distinguished Florida Artist of the Year Award. He also received a 1990 award for Significant Contribution to the Arts in Education from the National Organization of Young Audiences and in addition received a 1991 Resident Artist Award for his work with high school students by the Palm Beach County School Department.

Rick was born and schooled in Massachusetts where his family has been in the steel business for over a century. It is no surprise, then , that this son of a tool and die corporation owner, and a grandson to a tool manufacturing company, should have found his way into metal sculpting. Rick has been busy since he moved to Boynton Beach from Chicopee, Mass., where he used to live and work on pieces in a much colder climate. In 1986 he received a commission from the Starkoff Associates, that resulted in two monumental sculptures being installed on the grounds of the Arvida Executive Center in Boca Raton. In 1988, another commission resulted in the production of seven sculptures of a marine, or nautical theme, which were part of an underwater art exhibit to benefit The Center for Marine Conservation in Washington, D.C.

Schooled in realism, abstraction has afforded him creative license. Beau Lieu's most popular works range in size from two to twelve feet, though his Liberty, or Victory Over Communism, stands at over forty feet and weighs more than seven tons. Finished, but for its painting, it stands outside his studio wearing only a coat of primer. Where exactly, the idea for this work came from, not even the artist can say. It is certainly abstract -- as is most of his work, but not nearly as lyrical. The lion's share of Beau Lieu's work, which he opts to paint on primary and secondary colors, often interspersed with stainless steel and polychrome finishes, though fashioned of extremely dense and rigid materials, possess a delicate, even graceful quality.

Rick's most recent commission for the Boca Raton Community Hospital, "Volunteer Tribute" will be available for viewing in early 1998.

For private showings, appointments or further information, please contact Mr. Beau Lieu's representing agency.

Beau Lieu Studios and Neighborhood Gallery
Phone 561-736-8181
Send email to beaulieustudios@aol.com
422 West Industrial Avenue
Boynton Beach, Florida 33426

©2000 Beau Lieu Studios and Neighborhood Gallery