Born July 6, 1944 in Bourg Sur Gironde.
Child, he is appreciated by his friends for his inventions of small theater, sleigh rides, and other creations. Very young he worked at the cork factory to make a little money. . The day he has earned
enough he buys "the painting box " that have long admired in a shop window. He is quick to open it and make its first test, pleased with himself he shows his first work to his father flew into a rage. "Spending money in a futile thing, he can not admit it ". The good Christian Sanchez is delighted because he can not give back this box already used. His father promised him that his future as an artist is doomed to end "Hairy, Beared and under bridges!". (Mr. Primitivo Sanchez has never seen his son became certainly bearded, but a recognized artist). As an art school, his father sent him to a school of design in architecture. Arrived in Paris he began in an architect’s office. Passionate mechanical he joined evening classes where he gets all his degrees.
he can then be an industrial designer, buisness that several years. In his free time and when requested to do so, he willingly works different kind art; for
theaters, where he manufactures
some stage sets, posters...
a father, he knows always keep time to continue his painting and drawing. His creative side is very present in his life, his girls were happy that a simple box of cakes ends in a beautiful small theater with puppets cardboard articulated, or a story could be quickly transcribed into comic. Besides other merchants of his city are paying the price. He invented the " Les Répartout" ("the Repair everything") union of merchants represented by a very nice couple who regularly appear in the local newspaper with the antics of his characters ....
This thirst to reproduce on canvas, takes over Christian. Even in rainy day, with his brushes and tubes of oil paint, can can be seen sitting with his easel on the back of his van for shelter. He traveled to Normandy and Brittany coast and up through the Cotentin peninsula, then in the south and the land of the Cantal. Everywhere interest in his paintings the fact pursue his artistic path. He is one of the creators of the "Associated Artists", and has honored artist illustrates the various activities and exhibitions of this association.
Postal card of 1999
He enjoys writing and nice words, Christian by his pen laying on paper his childhood memories. When he met the writer, novelist and poet, Armand Cantono (Member of the Academy and the Academy Norman Alphonse Allais), the latter asked him to illustrate one of his last books. Christian gave him the two stories he wrote himself: "Box of painting" and "histoire vidange au pays des vendanges" (A draining in the country of grape harvest.) We find Christain
Illustration of the story :
"Box of painting"
Illustrations of the story :
"A draining in the country of grape harvest "
Cover of book Halwart Schrader
beside extract of the book Page 54 :
Photo of the First Workshop, Rue des Lingots
In 1962, he organized with six friends a trip to Honfleur, a pilgrimage dedicated to painting. Our six accomplices, just out the railcar, dip their brushes in their watercolor box. An unforgettable moment, a revelation that will be decisive in his life. To 30 years he settled in Normandy near Honfleur. Artisan trader, married and a
In 1998, shift, he left the country landscapes to engage in work on the very special atmosphere of daybreak, late evening and night. The bronze medal was awarded to him at the "Salon d'Hiver de Paris" and became a society corporate member in 2002. His accomplishments on the banks of the Thames transport us to the Victorian era novels of Charles Dickens.
He opened his studio up St.Catherine's Church of Honfleur behind the "Vieux Clocher" (at the 20th of rue des Lingot). He also appears in a book in 2007 Halwart Schrader "Honfleur tribute to a great city" published Schneider Text (STK).
This workshop was too small, he went down a few meters down the street to the Number 10 of Rue des Lingots. A Dutch TV show devoted a chapter to Mr. Sanchez on his painting and his workshop in a program on the Normandy Region. A school Film still used as the film set. Another amateur filmmaker, Mr. Maurice Boury made a film inspired in 2009 with "Couleur sur Honfleur" (honfleur's colors) and retraced his footsteps in 2013 with "Une chapelle sur toile à Honfleur" (A chapelle painted in Honfleur), thanks to him (links below).
In his eight years at 43 rue du Dauphin,
scenes from a Korean serie «the Package»
about a trip to north ouest of France were
shot in the picturesque atmosphere of his
studio and his paintings appear on
the screen.
He moved in September 2017
at «2 rue des Capucins», for
a more peaceful neighborhood
and a more authentic atmosphere.
In the End of 2020, a homecoming
to him, he went back to rue des
Lingots on the 22nd of the street.
Picturesque workshop with a
larger exhibition area. It has a
typical style of Normandy, with
visible beams. A beautiful, war
and charming address, just at the
back of «the Vieux Clocher»
monument.
Now the artist can hear perfectly well the chime of bells !
To view the videos, click the links below:
Sanchez's stories and illustrations in the book called "The small and big things in life" collection of short stories to "Bertout editions."
