1) Tell us about your Buck. 

“I just wanted to do like a look of the American artist Pollock. That’s why I decided to do something a little crazy. I used some house paint and I used a big brush… and just splashed it in a way.”

2) What inspired you to approach your Buck this way?  

“I do a different kind of painting myself and just came up with that idea. People have copied Pollock with painting but they’ve never done it with a Buck like this. I thought it would be something different.”

3) In general, where do you find the inspiration for your art?

“It depends on the day, you know.” Payet said books are a key influence.

4) How did you become an artist? 

Eighteen years ago18, Payet moved from New York to Atlanta. He went to work for an uncle with an art gallery on Miami circle. Surrounded by beautiful paintings, he decided to try to copy some of the works, and a love of painting was born. Now Payet is a full-time artist who has a gallery that also rents out studio space to other artists.

5) Is there anything else you'd like to share with Buckhead Patch readers? 

Payet wants people to know about his gallery/studio, Art Space International, which has operated on Huff Road since 2006. It provides work space to about 25 artists and holds monthly events. “It’s an arts community.”

See more of Frederic Payet's work at his website.

This article is the latest in a series of Buckhead Patch conversations with the creators of the "Buck" statues stationed around the neighborhood. Do you know other creative people in Buckhead who deserve to be profiled? Email us with the details!

Catch up on our other recent Behind the Buck profiles:

Morris Ward: Original Buckhead Boy Turned Artist

Artist Rosa McMurtray is Inspired by Fashion, Films

Artist Kadeem Pledger Takes Lessons from Cartooning

Color and Texture Inspire Buck Created by Southeast Fiber Arts Alliance

Artist Jaia Robinson Embraces High Energy Work

Behind the Buck: Jim Afroukhteh Returned to Art After a 20-year Pause

Behind the Buck: Taylor Arnold Gets Her Inspiration from Illustration

Behind the Buck: Artist Vicki Cimkentli Says Colors Inspire Her

Joycelyn Hairston, Former Construction Engineer, Shows Off Her Colorful Side