Sylvain Chamberlain was born in Montreal, Quebec. Traveling throughout Canada, his family lived two years in Vancouver, British Columbia, and later immigrated to Southern California.  

In 1984 his younger sister Diane was diagnosed with leukemia while living in New York City. Sylvain worked in radio, DJ'd at dance clubs, did some plumbing jobs, even tried his hand at chimney sweeping, all necessary so he could travel to New York to donate his marrow to Diane. After a two-year battle using experimental treatments and the bone marrow transplant, Diane died in 1986.

Upon his return to California, Sylvain dedicated his life to his art skills as suggested by his sister in their last conversations. Drawing since childhood, largely self-taught, Sylvain switched his college agenda from Nuclear Chemistry to Studio Art at Saddleback College. After College he went on to UCLA Film school, where he developed short films and art videos.  He also studied painting in private apprenticeships with Wayne Horvath, Wayne Forte, Patrick Webster, Frank Dixon, Lynn Kubasek, Tom Morgan, and Vladimir Cora. He exhibited work in several Southern California galleries, then operated ‘Galerie Sylvain’ for three years and an open studio for five years. He was a member and served as treasurer of the renowned OCCCA, Orange County Center for Contemporary Arts.

In 1999, Sylvain married and moved to Tupelo in 2000 where his wife owned a home. Eventually divorced, Sylvain and Renee remain close friends to this day.

Sylvain, a martial artist since childhood, took his Buddhist vows as a practicing monk back in 1988 and is working to establish a life skills and arts center with creativity at its core. After working with Sandra, a local advertising consultant, they developed a deep relationship and have been together ever since. He now lives on 15 acres in the country, where he aspires to build his center one day.

 
Sylvain attributes his positive life outlook and endless energy in overcoming life’s obstacles to his determination of creating value in art and life. “My art and my Buddhist practice are the reason my heart continues to beat. If either my artworks or my life can spark life’s interminable fire in others, in any small way, I am deeply grateful and inspired.”

http://artsylvain.com

For art classes, please view the following link:  http://artsylvain.com/artlab/workshop/workshop.htm