Jean Claude Kabongo has been largely influenced by the artworks of Impressionism and his passion for painting emerged when he was a child. He began submitting works to competitions that however remained unnoticed, which is often the case. His landscapes did not meet with institutions' approval; nevertheless at 20 years old he finally got his precious medal for an historical work.
He managed to travel to Rome and Paris with scholarships and awards he received. In Rome he was dazzled by classical art, while in Paris, he got a chance to know impressionist painting as well as saw the light. He adapted this new language of young Parisians into his paintings without neglecting the themes that interested him: manners, landscapes, seascapes. Soon enough they were recognized across the United States and Europe.
Jean Claude Kabongo, like the Impressionists, likes to work outside. He carried his canvases and put up a makeshift workshop (with umbrellas and awnings) in order to avoid strong direct light on the canvas. The works of Jean Claude Kabongo stand out for their large strokes of paint combined with an essential presence or light.
