It is evident upon viewing Alain Bouju's artwork that he has a profound love for the ocean. As a boy growing up on the Normandy coast he often spent time with his father and grandfather fishing, diving and swimming (the later of which he did professionally). Bouju likes 3to quote Baudelaire when describing his own work, free man always, you will cherish the sea. The sea is your reflection, you contemplate your soul in the flux and reflux of the blade. After ending his stint as a professional athlete he entered the school of Beaux-Arts Rouen (Normandy) and officially started his career as a painter. In 1998 he received the title of Knight of the Academy of Arts of Gleci-Marino in Italy. In his art he admits being close to the Impressionists with a particular attraction for subjects like the beach, boats, seagulls and sailors. He likes to say that his paintings are always in motion - the sky is always a different sky. He also likes to paint his native town of Rouen, as well as Paris, the Seine river, and the Normandy countryside.