JEAN-MICHEL CAVALLI

Jean-Michel Cavalli was born in 1964 in Béziers (Hérault). He currently lives and works in the Gard region, in the south of France. His career took a decisive turn when he met a couple of collectors, who introduced him to some of the most prestigious galleries. His style, blending figurative and abstract elements, quickly propelled him onto the professional art scene.
With a palette knife as his main tool, Jean-Michel Cavalli carves and imprints distant, imaginary landscapes into his works. His success continued to grow, but in 2013, a cancer diagnosis made him reflect on both the fragility and the preciousness of life. This experience gradually led him to explore a new artistic path.
Remaining loyal to his palette knife, his trusted creative companion, Jean-Michel now creates paintings where childhood memories and characters intertwine. His canvases burst with vibrant colors and humor. His brushstrokes are freer, marking what can be seen as an autobiographical shift in his work. As he himself says: “I’m going to paint my own life, so I’ll set it ablaze with lots of colors.”
Jean-Michel paints with a palette knife, using oil paint as his medium. He applies an initial layer on linen canvases before outlining his figures with charcoal. Occasionally using brushes, he sketches the interior details of his characters. A mirror placed behind his easel helps him take a step back and view his work from a different perspective, activating both his left and right brain. In the mirror, what is on the left appears on the right of the canvas, and vice versa, allowing him to achieve a perfect balance in his compositions.
Thoughtfully applied paint splatters add a dynamic energy to his canvases. In his free time, Jean-Michel Cavalli is also a drummer, and he sees parallels between his painting technique and music—time, rhythm, and precision, contrasted with the freedom of movement.