Laurent Dareau

Laurent Dareau (born in Paris, France) is a French-American portrait painter and visual artist. He received his Master of Fine Arts from the National Superior Decorative Art School (, ENSAD) in Paris in 1997 and his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the National Fine Art School in Lyon in 1992. He also works professionally under the name Laurent Saint-Ar and the brand Saint-Ar.

Early life and education Dareau was born and raised in Paris, France. He studied fine art at the National Fine Art School in Lyon, where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1992. He subsequently trained at the National Superior Decorative Art School (ENSAD) in Paris, one of France's most prestigious art institutions, completing his Master of Fine Arts in painting in 1997.

Career

Early career in France (1997–2003) After completing his graduate studies, Dareau exhibited widely across France. Between 1997 and 2002 he held solo exhibitions in Chamalieres, Paris (Gallery Art Service), Aix-en-Provence, Saint-Paul de Vence (Gallery des Chevaliers), and the City of Vichy. He also exhibited internationally, including a solo show at Bartley Grew Gallery in London. In 1997 he received the Jean Aujame Prize in Paris and the Painting Prize at the National Military Painters' Salon.

Los Angeles (2004–2013) During this period he worked as a concept artist for the Comedy Central production Baxter and McGuire (2006).

In 2015 he received the 1st Prize at the Bonita Springs Center of the Arts and Best of Show at the UAC Southwest Florida Annual Juried Exhibition in Naples.

In 2018 he was one of three founding artist-residents of GARALA, an interactive artist-in-residency gallery at CityPlace in West Palm Beach. WPB Magazine Senior Writer Sandra Schulman profiled Dareau and GARALA in a feature spanning six pages: "We wanted to create a space where visitors can experience the creative process in action," Dareau told the publication. "The idea was to create a salon and cultural center where visitors can be educated on the surrounding art."

Also in 2018, Dareau donated a painted portrait of Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens to the OC GRIP (Orange County Gang Reduction & Intervention Partnership) annual gala fundraiser in Irvine, California; the portrait sold for $10,000 at silent auction. Later that year he donated a memorial portrait of Costa Mesa Fire Captain Mike Kreza to the Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Department in California following Kreza's death. The Los Angeles Times reported the donation, quoting Dareau: "Capt. Kreza is gone, stolen too early from our hearts. As a father, I am broken-hearted for his precious daughters and his lovely wife."

In 2019 his work was included in a group exhibition, "Art Expression of France and Argentina," curated from the Lelia Mordoch Gallery collection and hosted at the NSU Alvin Sherman Library's Cotilla Gallery at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale. He also exhibited at the Palm Beach Art, Antique & Design Showroom's "Rediscovery" exhibition that year, noted by Fine Art Shippers magazine.

In 2020 he participated in the Art Synergy Aid Auction, an online fundraising initiative to provide grants to Palm Beach County artists whose livelihoods had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which was covered by the Palm Beach Daily News. He also exhibited at Art Fort Lauderdale at the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens that year.

In 2021 he exhibited at SCOPE Art Miami through the 11(HellHeaven) Art Gallery (booth A013), one of the major satellite fairs during Miami Art Week.

In October/November 2024, International Artist magazine published a full feature on Dareau titled "Grace and Elegance" in its Master Painters section, describing his work in oil and his practice as a figurative and portrait painter.

In February 2025, Florida Weekly reported that Dareau was commissioned to create a new work for the 31st annual Center for Creative Education Spring Dinner, "The Art of Giving," held at Club Colette in Palm Beach. The piece was described as inspired by his conversations with students at The Foundations School.

Style and practice Dareau's work spans portraiture, landscape, and figurative painting, primarily in oil. His portraits of public figures have been noted for their psychological depth. His landscape work has drawn comparisons to the Impressionist tradition, particularly in his depictions of water and natural light. 2020: Art Fort Lauderdale, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens 2021: SCOPE Art Miami, 11(HellHeaven) Art Gallery