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DOLORES

TROPIANO

Art List

Solar System Wall Mural

For his two children, Alain wanted to create a massive "Planets of the Solar System" wall mural at home. Initially, he considered painting it directly on the wall but struggled with how to maintain accuracy. He toyed with the idea of projecting an image onto the wall while painting, but after exploring many possibilities, he ultimately decided to create a high-resolution Photoshop photomontage instead.

The concept featured his two children, dressed in astronaut suits with helmets displaying real-time overlays of their surroundings and vital stats. They stand confidently on one of Jupiter’s moons, its rocky surface beneath their feet, posing as if for a space mission photo. Behind them, Jupiter dominates the space, with the planets aligned from left to right—Mars, Earth, Venus, Mercury, and a faint Sun in the distance. At the center, Saturn (the lowest resolution image of the set), Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto peek just behind the mountain ridges of the moon. Dante on the left and André on the right show no fear in their cosmic adventure.

With the help of his friend Victor Ostrovsky, Alain had the artwork printed on three large canvas panels, bringing joy to the entire family. Today, these panels still hang proudly in his home, a lasting tribute to imagination and exploration.

MuralPlanets

Peinture à huile des drapeaux des canton suisse

Alain, originally from Geneva and now living in Arizona, set out on an ambitious mission—to memorialize the Switzerland he left behind by painting each of the 26 canton flags. These flags, typically square, are rich in history and intricate heraldry, making the task both a tribute and a challenge.

The Geneva flag itself, split between a majestic half-eagle and a symbolic key, embodies the complexity of Swiss heraldic art. Capturing such fine details—be it the fierce expression of the eagle, the delicate curves of Fribourg’s black and white contrast, or the intricate bear of Bern—proved to be no small feat. Yet, with patience and precision, Alain brought each emblem to life, ensuring every stroke honored the legacy of Switzerland’s diverse cantons.

SwissCantons

Arizona House

Painting dedicated to his dear cousin Gabrielle and hand delivered across USA to the Swiss Alps Valley!

A strange painting, not like the others.

This oil painting made in Scottsdale of the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, gave me many difficulties.

Wanting to make a special painting for a very dear friend, it was the start of a not easy adventure; here are some points…
- Work on this painting without revealing “the can of worms”, hence my idea of hiding the bottom ½ part.
- Use the bottom part to practice on Saguaro cactus, Ocotillos and other desert plants.
- Use the bottom part in a gag, but with the meaning of discovering a secret hence the idea of a hole in my canvas, which becomes 3 canvases one on top of the other.
- A temporary secret to avoid curiosity too early, the treasure and its protection the rattlesnake, “Diamondback Rattlesnake” from Arizona.
- Not easy to spot, where to place the cacti for the desired effect; to the point of using the technique of punching a hole in a printed sheet above the canvas (my reference sheet placed behind). A lot of scalpel scraping of my very dry mistakes.
- Of course the cacti in groups give an idea of the desert of the State, but seen from afar, another subject appears, which always keeps the final goal: the representation of the state of the Grand Canyon where Alain has lived since 1986.
- Like all of Alain’s paintings, it has its GPS code on the back (32.635289,-111.400776), a simple Google search for this code gives its exact location in the world.
For Alain, this represents his original search for a house in the desert, digging into his ideas of where to live his retirement, his choice being the desert so particular to this state that he now calls his adopted country!

ArizonaHouse

Regate

While visiting his brother, Alain noticed a striking poster in the bathroom—a regatta advertisement with an image so vibrant and full of life that it immediately inspired him to create an oil painting. The central figure, a woman with a marine rope extending toward the viewer like a lasso, stood amidst a flurry of sailboats, evoking a sense of movement and freshness that captivated his imagination.

As with many of his works, Alain found himself questioning whether the painting was truly finished. The challenge lies not in knowing when to start, but in deciding when to stop—each glance revealing new details that call for refinement, again and again.

Regate

Apollo 11

Apollo 11 was a NASA mission that took place in July 1969. At the time, Alain was 10 years old, living in Geneva, Switzerland, without a television. Despite this, he was deeply fascinated by the event and followed every word on a vacuum tube radio late into the night—his mother allowing him to stay up as long as possible, listening intently to both the original broadcast and its French translation.

Inspired by this historic moment, he envisioned a memorial painting of the Apollo 11 capsule that safely returned to the sea. The challenge, however, was how to depict both the exterior of the capsule and its intricate interior instruments in a single oil painting. His idea was to create a dome mounted on the back of the canvas, painting the interior instruments as if viewed from within, creating a 3D effect. The canvas itself would feature the capsule’s entry area, with the door painted in detail, but physically cut open to reveal the inside, offering a unique, immersive perspective.

By the way the GS location of this painting is in the Pacific Ocean, about 380 km (230 miles) south of Johnston Atoll. The recovery ship, USS Hornet, was stationed nearby to retrieve the astronauts.
You can enter these coordinates into Google Maps to see the approximate splashdown location!

Apollo11

Wine Tasting

Alain’s first wine tasting experience in USA was at Bruzzi Vineyard, a charming winery in Young, Arizona. Getting there is an adventure, as only two roads provide access. He was pleasantly surprised to find a picturesque vineyard with a windmill near a ranch called 'Forever Young.'

Inspired by this setting, Alain envisioned a painting featuring a table draped with a checkered cloth, holding four different wine glasses ready for tasting. A sunflower stands nearby, surrounded by grapevines and lush plants. In the background, the entrance fence proudly displays the name 'Forever Young Place,' all set against the backdrop of a breathtaking, fiery sunset.

WineTasting

CERN

Most of Alain’s coworkers and friends don’t know that, as a teenager, CERN was practically his cool backyard lab. He used to go there weekly to borrow 8mm films, hopping on a bus after school (now a tram, which is a light rail) and sharing some of the most fascinating discoveries with his friends. The first film he remembers watching was about Gargamelle, the bubble chamber that made the invisible visible—though even then, it was already considered an old detector.

Before moving to Arizona, the last big CERN breakthrough Alain followed was the study of antimatter and positrons—an electrifying discovery, even though their lifespan was only a millionth of a second. He was so captivated that he even wrote an essay on the subject, theorizing that when antimatter meets matter, it’s like the reverse of world creation.

To celebrate, he had to paint the accelerator—reimagining the collision detector as a figure (a person) named Collipac (Capture Orbs, Luminous Light In Particles And Collisions—the first letter of each word).

Cern

Mars

With SpaceX's Starship becoming a reality—something I follow closely—I wanted to capture its significance in an oil painting. Since all of Alain's paintings include the GPS coordinates of their subject, and this piece depicts a Mars base with multiple rockets, I kept the tradition by setting the GPS coordinates to zero.

My vision features four rockets, one of them taking off, with the sun appearing smaller, more like a moon, and the sky taking on a muted blue-gray hue. The Mars station includes fuel storage containers, solar panels, and a domed greenhouse illuminated by blue and red lights to support plant growth for oxygen production.

Mars

Switzerland

This painting reflects a unique and authentic Swiss touch, inspired by the breathtaking landscapes of Valais. Central to the scene is a bisse, a historic irrigation channel that has long carried water from mountain streams to fields, vineyards, and orchards. Often carved into steep alpine cliffs, these channels are both a testament to human ingenuity and a striking visual feature of the region.

Alongside the bisse, a train track winds through the mountains, crossing a bridge and disappearing into a tunnel—symbolizing Switzerland’s world-renowned railway engineering. A glacier glistens in the background, feeding a cascading waterfall that tumbles into the valley below. Traditional chalets nestled among tall pine trees complete the scene, evoking the timeless charm of the Alps.

For Alain, this painting holds deep personal significance. As a child, he hiked these landscapes with his two brothers and his mother, spending entire days trekking to the summit—where, in winter, the ski slopes came alive. He deeply misses the grandeur of the Alps, and through this painting, he seeks to capture not only their beauty but also the cherished memories and emotions they hold for him.

Switzerland

Arcology

In Arizona, we have a real-world example of an arcology—an innovative concept blending architecture and ecology to create highly self-sufficient, densely populated habitats that harmonize with the environment. This idea was pioneered by architect Paolo Soleri, and of course, Alain visited Arcosanti, a place that feels almost like a vision from science fiction.

Inspired by its otherworldly aesthetic, he wanted to capture it in an oil painting. The striking arch designs particularly caught his eye, and he sought to incorporate some of these elements into a visually captivating composition.
You can enter the GPS coordinates into Google Maps to see Arcosanti location.

Arcology

Hiking Project

When Alain lost his job with Ticketmaster/LiveNation, he thought that was it—time to retire. But instead of slowing down, his mind kicked into high gear. What would he do with the rest of his life? How could he give back to the community? What new hobby could he dive into? When you reach that crossroads, a million ideas start racing through your head.

Then came a spark of inspiration—the Swiss St. Bernard, the legendary rescue dog. The idea was simple but meaningful: on his many hikes, he would carry extra water to share with anyone in need. And to make it clear, he’d attach a flag to his backpack, proudly announcing himself as The Water-Man. Given his love for hiking with a heavy pack, it was a perfect fit!

Not long after, the idea expanded. Why not capture this new identity in a painting? A self-portrait, hiking through the Arizona desert, alongside a trusty St. Bernard. Of course, the scene had to include towering saguaro cacti and the stunning red rock landscapes he loves so much. He even threw in prickly pear cacti, ocotillos, and—just for fun—a scorpion lurking on the trail, a little nod to the true residents of the desert.

And because no St. Bernard is complete without its little barrel, Alain figured—why not have one too? So, atop his backpack sat his own barrel, a playful touch to complete the scene. To tie it all together, he painted a beautiful crescent moon, knowing that once finished, he would photograph the artwork and print it on a few t-shirts. One of them would become the very flag he’d attach to his blue backpack—an emblem of his new mission as The Water-Man!

HikingProject

My House

Alain loves his home in Scottsdale, especially its charming, cozy appearance from the front. If he could change a few things, he’d add a majestic saguaro cactus, expand the geranium flower beds, and transform the three-car garage’s concrete slab into a blend of grass—perhaps artificial—and pavers, ensuring cars wouldn’t damage the newly green space. And, of course, he’d revamp the look of the garage doors.

To bring his vision to life, he decided to capture it in an oil painting, showcasing the extended flower beds with the colorful bricks that already complement the house. The biggest challenge? The pavers. Depicting them as small, round dots across the driveway while maintaining proper perspective turned out to be trickier than expected. In the end, Alain wasn’t entirely satisfied—somehow, the pavers never quite looked right to him.

MyHouse

Micro Chip

Alain visited one of his semiconductor customers, where strict protocols were required to enter the cleanroom without risking contamination.

Since Alain has a beard, additional precautions were necessary. The gowning process included:
1-Removing all personal items
2-Stepping on sticky mats to eliminate dust and debris from shoes
3-Putting on a hairnet and beard cover
4-Wearing shoe covers
5-Donning a full-body coverall suit
6-Wearing gloves
7-Putting on a face mask
8-Wearing goggles
9-Securing a cleanroom hood
10-Putting on a final pair of gloves over the sleeves
11-Passing through an air shower chamber to remove any remaining particles

Afterward, Alain was allowed to keep most of the equipment (except for the goggles), turning the experience into a memorable one. Intrigued by the meticulous process, he decided to capture it in an oil painting.

At the center of the composition is a semiconductor wafer—an intricate surface densely packed with computer chips, reflecting a mesmerizing rainbow glow, even more striking than a CD or DVD. This effect proved to be one of the most challenging aspects to paint.

In the top left corner, Alain depicted a figure fully equipped in cleanroom attire, as he had worn. The lower left showcases a close-up of a single microchip, revealing the intricate register and memory design. On the right, a microscopic view magnifies structures as small as 2 micrometers, where the delicate layers of deposited material form the transistors and logic gates essential to semiconductor function.

This painting became an artistic challenge, blending technology and precision—just like the cleanroom experience itself. Alain isn't certain he fully captured the complexity of the wafer’s shimmering colors, but the journey of translating it onto canvas was as fascinating as the cleanroom process that inspired it.

MicroChip

Grand-Canyon

In this painting, Alain captures a breathtaking perspective from the edge of the Grand-Canyon, looking down upon the winding Colorado River. The river’s colors tell a story—near the forefront, the deep blue reflects slow-moving waters, with only the edges frosted in white. Beyond the narrow bottleneck of the rapids, the water turns a lighter, oxygen-rich hue, churning with energy.

To the right, a waterfall spills gracefully into the canyon just before a small sandy shore, where three kayaks rest—one for each of his sons and one for himself. The rugged terrain is stark and arid, with barely any vegetation near the riverbanks. Yet, a small ledge next to the viewer holds a rare patch of greenery, a subtle nod to resilience in the vast, unforgiving landscape.

Alain meticulously portrays the intricate layers of rock, each distinct in color, revealing the canyon’s ancient geological history. In the distance, the canyon stretches endlessly to the right, guiding the river on its relentless journey.

Beyond the painting, Alain’s connection to the Grand-Canyon runs deep. He has hiked rim-to-rim and embarked on numerous treks to Phantom Ranch—some as day-long adventures, others spent camping at the canyon’s base. At the ranch’s cozy restaurant, he recalls evenings filled with camaraderie, playing games from the communal collection. His explorations extend to the enchanting Havasupai Falls near the Havasu Indian Village, the historic Lees Ferry, and trails from the South Rim Village to Hermit Point.

This painting is more than a landscape—it is a reflection of adventure, memory, and the profound connection between nature and those who seek to immerse themselves in its grandeur.

GrandCanyon

Scottsdale

Alain often stopped near Fashion Square Mall, just across the canal in the area known as the Waterfront. In Arizona, where water is so precious, such places are deeply cherished.

During Christmas, trees, cacti, and palm trees are adorned with glowing lights, and the red reflections shimmering on the canal’s surface struck Alain as particularly captivating. Enthralled by the scene, he returned multiple times—early in the morning and late at night—capturing photos and studying the interplay of light and water. His vision for the oil painting took shape from the peaceful rest area along the canal, incorporating the moon’s soft glow and the striking brilliance of the central light on the pedestrian bridge.

Scottsdale

Isérables

From a young age, Alain spent his summers at the Mayens de Riddes with his two brothers, where the family owned several chalets. Among his earliest memories, the Mazo holds a special place—a rustic chalet with no electricity or running water, yet offering a breathtaking view of Isérables. This timeless panorama, unchanged despite the passing years, remains deeply etched in his mind.

Alain wanted to capture this enduring scene in an oil painting. He chose to depict the stunning view from the window of a chalet, framing the distinctive silhouette of the mountains on the other side of the Rhône, which, of course, have remained unchanged over time. To bring warmth and vibrancy to the composition, he imagined a window box filled with bright red geraniums, the open shutters inviting the viewer to step into the peaceful memories of his childhood.

A heartfelt tribute to the Valais landscape and the simple joys of mountain life.

Iserables

Ukraine

The invasion of Ukraine deeply affected Alain, as his friend’s wife in Geneva is from there. To show his support for Ukraine, he created an oil painting that reflects the symbolism of their flag: blue for the sky and yellow for the wheat fields.

His vision was to depict a vast wheat field under a clear blue sky, featuring a close-up of a golden wheat sheaf with the Ukrainian flag planted proudly in the field.

Ukraine

California Lady

After the fiasco with the Ladies on the Shore painting, Alain decided to redeem himself by following a YouTube course on painting a lady’s face in oil. This time, no more pencil disasters—he smartly switched to pen, ensuring nothing would mysteriously reappear like a ghostly divorce omen.

But then came a new problem… this time, the face took up the entire canvas! The tutorial made it look easy, but following the steps felt like assembling IKEA furniture—at first, it looked like a blob of random shapes, then suddenly, as if by magic, it was supposed to become a beautiful face. Or so Alain thought.

Enter his son André, who took one look and exclaimed:
"What the heck?! This isn’t a person—it’s not even human! It’s more alien than a Chinese person!"

Thus began the never-ending cycle: fix the eyes, fix the mouth, fix the everything… only to somehow make it worse. Frustrated, Alain remembered a wise piece of advice from his old Mossad friend, Victor Ostrovsky. Victor once told him he also couldn’t paint women’s faces, so his secret agent solution was simple: cover them with ridiculously big hats. (Fun fact: you can actually find his paintings online—just search his name!)

But for Alain, it was too late to throw a giant hat over the whole canvas. So for now, the mysterious lady remains… mysteriously bad. Maybe one day, he’ll unlock the secret to painting faces—besides just slapping a giant hat on them!

CaliforniaLady

Ladies On Shore Oil Painting.

When Alain got married, he ambitiously decided to recreate Frank Weston Benson’s famous painting Summer (1909), which features four elegant ladies on a shore with an island in the background. Seemed simple enough… especially if he conveniently removed one lady. Confident, he prepped a large canvas, carefully sketching a grid with pencil—just like on his printed reference—to map out the details with precision.

A brilliant plan… until he discovered one crucial problem: oil paint does not cover graphite. No matter how many layers he applied, those stubborn pencil lines kept resurfacing like ghosts of artistic miscalculation. A week of drying time? Nope, still there. More paint? Still there. It was like a bad omen he couldn’t erase.

Ironically, the painting—meant to be a masterpiece—ended up mirroring his marriage. Progress stalled, distractions piled up, and by the time he resumed, the inevitable was happening: the divorce his wife had been requesting for years was finally unfolding. So, covering up the pencil lines became more than an artistic challenge—it was an emotional one too.

To make matters worse, despite his best efforts, he could never quite capture the women's faces. No matter how many times he looked at the reference, they took on a life of their own. One mysteriously transformed into Dolores herself (whoever she was), another became a brunette, and somehow, a redhead showed up.

And to this day? The painting remains unfinished, unsatisfying, and absolutely stubborn. But hey, maybe some art is meant to be an ongoing journey.

LadiesOnShore

Swiss and Red Cross Flags Oil Painting

Alain’s first ski outing in USA, drawn to all the people wearing a Swiss cross on their jackets, led him to discover that Americans often mistake the Swiss cross for the Red Cross! Curious, he asked why… He was told that having more red than white on the jacket made it more visible in the snow.

This confusion didn’t stop there. More recently, during a march, an American asked him if he was part of the rescue team. Alain, puzzled, asked why… He was told it was because of the red cross on his cap. Amused, he replied, "Strange, because that’s my Swiss cap… how did my white cross change color?"

Given this recurring mix-up in the U.S., Alain decided to create a painting to illustrate the misunderstanding:

In the center, a cross that is neither white nor red… or both white and red.
Above, three arrows pointing in opposite directions, with one longer arrow guiding toward the true Swiss flag.
At the bottom, supports for the three symbols, but with an impossible 3D structure to represent spatial confusion.
At the top left and right, objects arranged in an equally impossible 3D perspective, symbolizing confusion in groups as well.
In the background, one of Switzerland’s most iconic symbols: the Matterhorn, reflecting on an alpine lake.
With a touch of artificial intelligence, which suggested the following: "The red color of the Swiss flag in oil painting is often depicted as a deep, warm hue. This intense red is achieved by mixing pigments such as cadmium red or vermilion with oil. The exact shade may vary depending on the artist and their style, but the goal is always to create a strong, bold red that symbolizes Switzerland’s national identity.

SwissRedCrossFlags

Fluorescent Rocks Painting by Alain

This painting was created by Alain using UV-reactive acrylic paint to depict fluorescent rocks. The canvas features three holes—one for each of his children and one for himself. These holes symbolize their expedition into the desert in search of the most stunning UV-reactive specimens.

The team had set up a tent, transforming it into a darkroom in the middle of the desert, near the mine. At first, Alain didn’t understand why—after all, they were there to hunt for rocks, not to camp! But stepping inside, he quickly realized how crucial it was for properly inspecting their finds under UV light.

He remembers Dante proudly bringing in a massive rock… only for it to reveal almost nothing under UV light!

The holes in Alain’s canvas hold the finest pieces from their collection. When a rock—already striking under UV light—is removed, a UV flashlight can be shone into the hole, revealing a hidden exhibition of rocks stored in a box behind the painting.

To ensure visibility even during the day, Alain installed the artwork in the darkest room of his house, between the kitchen and the garage. The advantage? It remains dark even in daylight. Plus, it’s not a space he spends much time in… which is probably for the best, considering these stones contain a small amount of uranium and are slightly radioactive! ☢️

FluorescentRocks

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