Guy Stanley Philoche: Painting New York with Love
Photos by: James Weber
New York might have been hit especially hard by the pandemic, but A-list artist Guy Philoche has been helping to lift spirits—and lift up other artists. Through his new series, Guy is painting the town red, as well as all the other colors that he believes showcase the uniqueness of New York—with all its quirks, eccentricities, vibrancy and everything else that makes her the most resilient city in the world.
While his art sits in many prominent collections, Guy is just glad to finally have a seat at the table now that he has received global recognition from his recent sold-out shows. This passionate painter—who is represented by Cavalier Gallery, located at 3 West 57th Street, with other locations in Palm Beach, Nantucket and Greenwich—realized what is truly important in life once the pandemic hit. He has since made it his mission to remind people what makes New York so special while supporting those who are trying to make it in the art world.
Just a few days after Guy decided to buy a pricey new Rolex watch to symbolize all the success and acknowledgment in the art world that earned him that seat at the table, the city started shutting down due to COVID-19. Although Guy has always been philanthropic, this was the beginning of his giving back on a whole new personal and prominent level.
“Restaurants and museums and galleries closed, and Art Basel got canceled. I realized just how much my colleagues were struggling. I have been here for over 20 years, through 9/11, blackouts and hurricanes, but I have never seen so many people this scared. It wasn’t even just a New York thing; it was a worldwide thing. Instead of buying that cool $20,000 Rolex watch, I went on Instagram and used that money to start buying up artworks of other artists and raising awareness about them.”
After posting about how he wanted to buy $20,000 worth of works from undiscovered or struggling artists, Guy received messages from artists around the country, asking him to consider their pieces. He even began making additional purchases for other collectors who had heard about what he was doing. Guy eventually had to put some of his own works into storage just to make room for his new discoveries.
Since using his fame and funds to help others, Guy has appeared in national outlets, including Peoplemagazine and evenGood Morning America. He says that helping to give others a chance to succeed stems from the fact that he would have liked someone to have supported him when he was starting out. “No one opened doors for me. I had friends who were famous in the art world, but they never did anything to help me. I’m all about sharing the love. There’s enough for everybody, and everybody needs a shot. I’m thankful to now have the opportunity to help others.”
When it comes to advising people who want to pursue their artistic passions, Guy says, “Never stop dreaming, always keep dreaming big, and keep painting. Just because one person says no, it doesn’t mean you need to stop. You’ve gotta want it bad enough. I’ve sacrificed a lot; I’m not some overnight success.”
In addition to giving hope to his fellow artists, Guy wanted to inspire others through his new works. For those who say New York is dead following the devastation from the pandemic, Guy is here to tell them—or rather show them—just how wrong they are. His new series, “New York, I Love You”, demonstrates his own sentiments toward his favorite city, which he likens to any great love story: “She’s like, ‘I’m sorry I’m crazy, but I love you!’”
It was when he noticed a little girl taking pictures with a Polaroid camera that Guy purchased his own Polaroid and began taking photos, or what he likes to call moments of history, around New York. “I would try to capture all of the beautiful parts of the city. I would go around Central Park and just start taking photos of iconic landmarks and buildings and turn them into a cool painting. I love the format of it and working with a Polaroid. You can write the date and time of where you were. I just love turning a canvas into a Polaroid and writing to New York City.”
Just as in his other works, Guy paints a picture of what he sees but with his own creative twists. His painting of a pizza-eating rat went viral. Another piece shows a subway stopping at “Kobe Bryant Park,” which allowed Guy to process his feelings on Bryant’s death while capturing that moment.
“This series is my love letter to New York City. It’s letting her know that I still love her, both the good and the bad, and reminding people of all of the elements that make New York so great. I have been here for over two decades and have come to learn that the city will always overcome. I know that so many people left, but I wanted to show that the city is still beautiful and vibrant through these works. I had done another series that was very popular where I took a cartoon character and intertwined it with love and revolution, and it really put a smile on people’s faces. I just wanted people to smile again. The city is always evolving as it continues resetting itself.”
Since almost everyone has their own special spot in New York, Guy is also regularly commissioned by people who want to commemorate the places that they love the most. Many of his clients include those who have relocated and want to remember their favorite parts of Manhattan.
So how did this painter survive the pandemic? Let’s just say his saving grace was working in his studio, going to the park—one of his favorite places in New York—for his morning workout and, of course, having the cutest assistant around, his French bulldog named Picasso.
Guy also credits Cavalier Gallery with allowing him to continue to grow as an artist rather than pigeonholing him into creating the same types of works simply because they are guaranteed to sell. Perhaps it is because the gallery is well aware that Guy’s constant creative evolution is exactly what has made him so popular! “I have amazing collectors, from Japan to Los Angeles, who believe in the work and what I do,” explains Guy.
After sold-out shows in Nantucket and Greenwich, with his last series resulting in record-breaking sales, multiple television appearances and access to collectors around the world, the countdown is on for his next unveiling, which is set to take place this December at Art Basel. “People are buying my work without even seeing it. A lot is already sold. They just believe in me and my vision that much.”
Originally from Haiti, Guy grew up in Connecticut with two siblings and knew that his journey to reaching the pinnacle of success with his paintings would come with its challenges. Having been raised by parents who had government jobs and persistently drilled in the importance of pensions, this budding artist was determined to creatively pave his own way. He says it was his parents’ unwillingness to pay for art school, because they did not want to see him struggle, that made him stronger.
“I left home at 17 years old. Fast forward to today, and my parents are now very proud—my dad even apologized a few years later. This made me the person I am because failure was not an option. I didn’t have that security or safety blanket, so this made me more determined to ensure that this thing worked out for me.”
Aside from always thinking outside the box with his works, Guy knew he had to think of unconventional ways to get those works noticed by the right people. Before he had sellout shows, major representation and national media coverage, Guy couldn’t afford a U-Haul to move his artwork, so this dedicated and devoted artist walked from 102nd street to Chelsea for the opportunity to get his art into a gallery and have a show.
He’ll also never forget when he made 2,000 copies of an ad he had designed and stuffed them into the Village Voicethat would go to all the posh neighborhoods, including Tribeca. He would also get them into other magazines and even best sellers in Barnes and Noble. By donating his works to charity events, Guy would get to be in the same room as potential buyers. “There would wind up being huge bidding wars for my works, so eventually people just started coming to my studio and purchasing things,” explains Guy.
It takes a tough person to make it in New York, but Guy knows just what it takes—and appreciates her more for it. After going through so much, New York might be a bit different, but according to Guy, she’s still the best. “The city that never sleeps goes to bed at midnight now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have epic New York nights. They just happen a bit earlier! If you’re lucky, you can still find hidden gems around the city, plus Broadway is opening up a bit more.”
If you think the story of this talented, successful and giving artist sounds like it would make for a great movie, you’re in luck! Guy is currently working on a documentary about his 22 years of being in New York City and navigating his way into the gallery scene and interviewing collectors. There will also be a coffee table book based on the Philoche Collection.
From giving back to getting New Yorkers to realize what they love most about the best city in the world, Guy wears his heart on his sleeve—and his canvas.
