Guido Parpan - Life Artist with a Down-to-Earth Approach

A Life between Creativity and Passion

Guido Parpan always remains calm - but beware when he is let loose! At night, he lights the fire of his Italian genes, dances and enjoys life to the full. But he is much more than just a charismatic entertainer.

Creativity with a Grip on The Ground

Guido Parpan has been living out his creativity as an independent entrepreneur, designer, graphic artist, illustrator, advertiser and interior designer since 1981. His works are created spontaneously - what he draws or paints is given away or sold. His work is an expression of passion and joie de vivre.

Art on a Variety of Media

Whether on paper, canvas, wooden panels or directly on walls - Guido transfers his art to every conceivable surface. Especially when travelling, he captures his impressions with watercolour postcards, which he sends directly to friends. Each postcard is unique and captures the atmosphere of the place.

A Unique Style

Guido Parpan's style is a mixture of intuitive lines, thoughtful composition and playful experimentation with colours and materials. Whether fine sketches or large-scale wall designs - he knows how to evoke emotions.

Art as a Snapshot

Guido doesn't hoard works - what counts for him is the here and now. The real value lies in the creative process, the exchange with people and capturing unique moments. You might meet him while travelling - sketchbook in hand, immersed in new impressions.

Exclusive Interview with Guido Parpan

art24 has prepared four exciting questions for Guido:

Guido, your techniques are completely individual and you like to sell or give away your works immediately. What does this freedom mean to you as an artist?

When I give my paintings away, they go to friends who really appreciate it. I like to take their preferences into account when choosing the subject matter. Not everyone may like erotic depictions or a dog peeing on the wall at home. Even for commissioned pictures, I first discuss the format, content and style as well as the location where the picture will be placed. For example, in a bedroom it could be more frivolous, in a living room or business premises more harmonious. However, the freedom of the execution technique is left to me.

You like to capture your impressions in watercolour postcards when you travel. Is there a particular postcard or country that has particularly inspired you artistically or emotionally?

I was chatting to a hairdresser in a backyard in Havana. It reminded me of my father, who also liked to have people around him in his hairdressing business, just sitting on the waiting bench to chat. When the Cuban hairdresser cut his young son's hair, it was a touching memory of my childhood. I immediately captured this moment in a coloured line drawing and titled it ‘Son of the hairdresser’ - which I am myself. Incidentally, around 15 of my art cards, which I painted in Colombia in 2024, have not yet reached their recipients. Sure, I could post the cards on my way home in Switzerland. But I believe that the works should also make their journey, no matter how long it takes. At some point, somewhere, they might turn up.

Your art is often created spontaneously - what inspires you in everyday life? Are there certain moments or places that particularly stimulate your creative process?

I have to differentiate here between whether I'm working on a commission as a designer or collecting impressions while travelling and putting them down on paper. At the agency, I can dedicate myself to a task in a focussed and concentrated way and indulge in a trance-like search for ideas, an illustration or a creative project. However, I get free ideas or inspiration when I'm out and about on my own somewhere - be it travelling, in nature or in the nightlife - the in-between world, as I like to call it. However, I don't want to overemphasise my creative work, because I like to design what others like and respond to their ideas. I've been self-employed since I was twenty-one and have never had an employer - only clients. The financial pressure at a young age probably influenced me to design mainly what others like and what I could sell.

You call yourself a designer, graphic artist, illustrator, advertiser and interior designer - what drives you to work in so many creative fields? Is there a discipline that is particularly close to your heart?

I was born with a talent for drawing. As early as primary school, my teacher put me in charge of the drawing lessons. However, my first jobs were in crafts and then in interior design. Thanks to my skills as a craftsman and draughtsman and my keen imagination, I started my own business in graphics and interior design. However, I was soon commissioned to design a wide variety of projects and after a short time I had developed into an advertising agency. You can see from my professional career that I find it difficult to dedicate myself to just one discipline - I am very freedom-loving and versatile.

Guido Parpan is a unique artist who moves people with his art. His versatility, spontaneity and talent make him a special personality on the art scene.