BORN IN MARSEILLE IN 1946, GERARD DROUILLET STUDIED CERAMICS AT THE BEAUX ARTS IN AIX-EN-PROVENCE BEFORE TURNING TO PAINTING. HIS WORK WAS INFLUENCED BY HIS DISCOVERY OF EXPRESSIONISM AND A MEETING WITH THE ARTIST SIDNEY SHAPIRO, WHO INTRODUCED HIM TO THE GREAT AMERICAN ARTISTS AFTER THE WAR. HE MOVED TO THE VILLAGE OF EYGALIERES IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE IN 1980, WHERE HE LIVED UNTIL HIS DEATH IN 201