Jean Pierre Marques’ life has been anything but ordinary. French-born in Algeria, Marques fled to France as a child refugee from the Algerian War. He moved to the United States more than a half-century ago, and has lived in Coronado for the past 26 years.
“People say, ‘What are you?’ I say, ‘I am an American with a French accent.’” Marques laughs. “America gave me everything.” A self-taught multimedia artist, Marques, who is 80 years old, began using art as a child to cope with living in poverty through war. “It was an escape from my difficult life,” he says.
Marques’ art works used to be more technically focused – almost resembling photographs. He describes it as coming from the left brain. “Nobody would know if it was a picture or a painting,” he says.
However after listening to a critique of another artist, his perspective shifted. His colleague was told they had amazing talent, but lacked style. Marques knew he had to do something about his own style, “That [comment] stayed in my mind.”
Marques said his style today – explosive and colorful – was developed in an ashram, a spiritual monastery, in India. In the early 2000s, he attended a three-week-long intensive art class for artists to unlearn rules they were taught in order to fully develop their own creative voice and authentic style.
In addition to his visual art, Marques has written three books, including one titled “My Child Speaks Through Me” about his experiences and struggles as a child, written in the voice of his younger self. Marques has also been a master of yoga, martial arts, tai chi and meditation for almost 60 years, opening the first yoga studio in Coronado in 2000. He and his wife, Linda, own Coronado Yoga and Wellness Center.
Jean Pierre Marques’ piece “Fun Celebration,” painted in liquid acrylic and ink, took first place in The Coronado News’ 4th of July t-shirt art contest.
“The bicycle symbolizes freedom and happiness… the flag [represents] respect for the country,” he says.
Marques says that part of his philosophy is rooted in equality: “A blade of grass is as important as a star… this is part of my philosophy with the bicycle.”
He explains that people all over the world, regardless of social class or economic status, ride bicycles, and it represents freedom in movement. His wife Linda adds the bike also reflects the Coronado 4th of July tradition to decorate bikes with tinsel and other American-themed decorations.
Marques says the feeling of the 4th of July on Coronado Island is special. “It is a beautiful spirit, everybody is together,” he says.
