A ‘Real Successful Artist’ At Large in ITALY
Watch out for James Pouliot di Lombardia!
Currently based in Rome, James Pouliot di Lombardia is an American painter and photographer whose work has appeared in Vogue, Grazia and L’Officiel. His Instragram account—@real_successful_artist—is a repository for his art and sass: fashion photography, summer scenes in Capri, sardonic selfies and masterful compositions of everything from fleshy oranges to McDonald’s french fries. In each post, Pouliot’s sense of humor shines through—cheering up his followers just as effectively as Xanax (which he has also painted; see below).
After LOL-ing for the nth time while viewing his works, I decided it was time to get in touch with James for this interview. I’m excited to share his art, love for Italy and cheekiness with you below. Enjoy!
Cheers,
Leslie Rosa
Art Curator-turned-Sommelier + Founder of La Dolce Vigna Wine + Culture Tour Co.
Xanax Kitty II, 2020, 46 x 61 acrylic on paper
You are an American who has his "feet heart and feet permanently in Europe". What is it exactly that attracted you to Europe?
Oh, I watched all these beautiful films in high school like The Dreamers from Bernardo Bertolucci and The Talented Mr. Ripley by Anthony Minghella so I knew I always wanted to travel to Europe. I really think Europe is easily the best place in the world for lifestyle, history and art. With that said, I don't really think I knew what I was getting myself into. I was so naive 10 years ago when I landed here. I still remember that first day walking around in Paris, it was like someone created an elaborate movie set to play a prank on me.
The Dreamers, 2020, Digital Illustration
The Talented Mr. Ripley, 2020, Digital Illustration
How would you describe your art practice? What are the major subjects/ themes of your work? What qualities or ideas do you wish your works to imbue?
As far as my practice goes, the only consistent thing about me is my inconsistency. It changes so much depending on the month, the year, the day. I have been working as a professional artist for 8 years now and I have done so many different things, and I often just feel like I'm riding on the current of some unknown force. I have photographed models, actors, royalty, socialites, the fat, the bold and the boring. I have done professional illustration, graphic design and now I'm focusing a lot on painting. My mom said she had a dream that I was a sculptor and I'm not ruling that out.
Marbled Waters, 2020, 46 x 61 acrylic on paper
What materials do you use to make your work?
At the moment I'm painting acrylic on paper. I have been traveling a lot and when I travel I love to work on my ipad because it's like carrying a box of crayons with you. I'm really into digital illustration. Tomorrow I might buy some pastels or oil paint though. I fear if I read this interview in a year I will roll my eyes. I have learnt it's just better to leave everything open.
What has surprised or inspired you about your travels in Italy?
I'm basically obsessed with Italy and have been since the first time I set foot in this country. I have lived in France for 10 years but every chance I got I have jumped over to Italy and I'm never disappointed. Now, I think I'm living in Rome. I say "I think" because I don't really know, but yeah, I just found an apartment so I'm here for at least 6 months. My favorite thing about Italy is the people. I just sat in a cafe this morning watching the people and it just puts a smile on my face.
Javier, 2020, Digital Illustration
Morning coffee, 2020, Digital Illustration
What are you currently working on/ what's coming up next for you?
I'm working on settling down in Rome at the moment, and getting a new studio set up and getting ready to paint. I didn't even have this idea in my head 3 months ago so it's a pretty spontaneous life choice. I can't really say exactly what's going to happen next, because normally when I say I'm going to do one thing I turn around and do the exact opposite. However, I'm pretty sure it's a lot of painting.
Fries and Wine, 2021, 64 x 41 acrylic on paper
Favorite wine?
NERO D'AVOLA! Yummy! I love southern reds and I love drinking red year round.
Favorite Region of Italy?
Sicily wins by a long shot!
Palms of Nice at Sunset , 2020, 46 x 61 acryclic on canvas on board
Something on your bucket list?
To visit Central and South America.
Someone or something for which you are grateful?
Oh my friends of course, I have a small core group of people that I love hard.
How can people find you/ follow you?
They can find me on my website or Instagram. As things evolve so rapidly in my life it's really the best way to keep up. My Instagram handle is @real_successful_artist and I picked that handle to be very tongue and cheek
