Painting has always been second nature for Fabienne Rhein. “Around the age of 7, I understood that painting would always be part of my life. I saw my first paintings in my mother’s gallery and that vision was already giving me a strong feeling of happiness.”

Fabienne was still just a child when Roger Lagoutte, an artist from Châlon-sur-Saône, took her under his wing and welcomed her into his studio. At 15, her family moved to Nice, in the South of France, where she enrolled in drawing and painting classes with Villa Thiole.Here, she was profoundly inspired by the grand masters of the School of Nice, such as Arman and César, as well as the Museums of Chagall, Matisse and Picasso.

 “At first, her style seemed to have emerged out of a rather sombre expressionism. “
-Jean Louis Avril.

Fabienne has shown her paintings in many contemporary art exhibits and galleries in Paris, Vallauris, Nice, Cannes, Monaco and even Osaka, Japan. Her paintings are now part of many private collections in France, Italy, Spain, England, Austria, the United States and India.

“Upon entering the gallery, the visitor is immediately struck by the colors. Her painting is pure light and love...”
- Nice Matin, June 24th 2006.

Motivated by a strong desire to communicate her perception of the distinct universes she observes, Fabienne enjoys creating commissioned work in addition to her personal pieces. “To paint for others is for me a way of bringing a special attention to each, a unique and personalized piece of art. I am enchanted by that idea!” 

In 2007, she opened her first studio/gallery in Nice, allowing her to dedicate herself to her clientele.

 “This gallery offers a rich collection that evokes Chagall or Botero. The artist invites you on a dreamlike journey: the characters are fascinating...”
- Le Patriote, Octobre 19th 2007.

 “A spectator to her own creations, she exorcises and constructs, always passionate, in the imperative and visceral need to paint.
-L’Univers des Arts, July-August 2008.

 “Fabienne Rhein paints a little like one dances tango, restoring beauty to drama.”
- Michel Benard - Académie Française Lauréat.

“My lack of roots and my curiosity always push me further - to experience new adventures. Always going that extra distance to understand how the world works.”
And that is how, quite simply, the French artist explains her presence in North America and her new gallery - La Galerie Fabienne Rhein – which opened in Old Montreal in April, 2009 and where, much to our delight, we can now see her paint and create before our very eyes.

“Bold wielder of brushes with the infinite courage of geniuses and the poetry of the greatest dreamers: Chagall, Tobiasse, and Folon. Impossible to define and free.”
- Roland Moreau