Above, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance 2010 Artist of the Year, Erwin Dazelle, seated in front of some of his artwork. Dazelle will take center stage this year in developing marketing imagery including artwork for the cover art for of the 2010 Paso Robles Wine Festival, Zinfandel Festival and Harvest Wine Weekend. Photo by Hayley Thomas.

French artist and 2010 Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance [PRWCA} Artist of the Year, Erwin Dazelle, sits in front of his wine-inspired painting at an art exhibit hosted by the Paso Wine Centre on Friday, Oct. 16. Dazelle was recently selected as the Alliance's 2010 Artist of the Year and will be creating cover art and over imagery for local wine festivals in the upcoming year.

Wine worlds collided when Dazelle was named the 2010 Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance Artist of the Year at the Paso Wine Centre during his first local art exhibit and live painting performance on Friday, Oct. 16.

The Alliance contracted with the 35-year-old painter to create its marketing imagery during an eight- to 12-week period including the annual Zinfandel Festival in March, Wine Festival in May and Wine Harvest Weekend Tour in October 2010.

"This is the first time we have contracted with someone internationally," Alliance Executive Director Stacie Jacob said. "[Dazelle] is helping Paso Robles to expand culturally while still keeping to our roots, locally."

According to Jacob, Dazelle's artwork will also be featured on the Alliance Web site, www.pasowine.com, collectively reaching millions online and providing momentous marking power.

Artist manager Emmanuel Lupe said that the pair first came to Paso Robles in June in an effort to market Dazelle's wine-inspired artwork to the region.

"One of the first people we spoke to was Stacie [Jacob] from the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance," Lupe said. "We had a meeting and showed a few paintings, and we asked to be a candidate for the Artist of the Year."

After about a three-month wait, the pair was alerted of the good news, which led to the painter's first Paso Robles art exhibit.

About 11 paintings ranging from $575 to $5,700 were displayed at the event, where people tasted wine and nibbled on fine meats and cheeses. Dazelle's vivid paintings are streaked with bold colors, many representing the wine-rich region of southwest France.

The region, which is known the world over for fine wine, is also Dazelle's family home, dating back to his grandfather in the 1930s.

"My family, parents and grandparents worked with stained glass," Dazelle said of his self-made background. "I sold my first painting 12 years ago. At first it was difficult, but now my work is nationally-recognized."

Dazelle said that he feels his work fits well with Paso Robles, which reminds him in many ways of home.

"The most interesting thing for me is to translate, or carry, the same spirit of the French wine country to the American wine country," he said. "I have the same expression and same style. The wine country is a sweet life."

As more people filtered into the exhibit, Dazelle stood before a large black canvas with paint armed in one hand and brush in the other. He worked quickly, dancing forward and back, turning the canvas into a world of color.

In about 15 minutes the painter created a fluid work of art depicting a Spanish woman in a blooming orange dress holding a bouquet of red flowers. The painting, which runs $3,000, will be donated to the Wine for Water organization. According to Paso Wine Centre owner Ryan Broersma, 15 percent of all the exhibit's paintings and 100 percent of the live performance piece will fund the organization, and more specifically, the construction of a much-needed water well in Ethiopia.

Broersma said that Dazelle's work connects with his own love of the Paso Robles wine culture in a big way. "The culture is about enjoying wine, the beauty of vineyards and the food – just enjoying life," he said.

Lupe's wife, Laura LaFave, echoed a similar sentiment.

"The paintings are wonderfully expressive and vibrant and cheerful," LaFave said. "When I look at the pictures of the vineyards, they seem real – you can sense the feeling of picking the grapes."

After the live painting had been completed, Jacobs formally addressed the crowd.

"We are really excited about [Dazelle's] work," she said. "This is such a compliment to the area. Paso Robles has French wine, French chefs, and now French artwork."

Dazelle said he is enjoying his stay in Paso Robles and will continue to put his personal spin on the region's wine culture.

"I'm here, first and foremost, to give my interpretation of the region," he said. "I am open to visiting, and if it wasn't for that I would just send the paintings over and stay home. There is something special [in Paso Robles] with the wine and the wine professionals. You cannot be superficial when you work with wine. I like this kind of spirit."

For the complete article see the 10-23-2009 issue.

Click here to purchase an electronic version of the 10-23-2009 paper.

Share on Facebook