Eric Bourdon - Blog
As Thick as Thieves – Acrylic painting

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As Thick as Thieves

Original acrylic painting on linen canvas
Artwork size : 21.65 x 18.11” / 55 x 46 cm

© Gallery of painter Eric Bourdon
Lille, France, 2026

     As Thick as Thieves is an acrylic painting that immerses the viewer in a vibrant, bustling world where characters seem to emerge spontaneously from an intricate network of lines, curves, and bold colours. True to Éric Bourdon’s intuitive approach, the work blurs the boundary between abstraction and figuration: each glance reveals new faces, silhouettes, and imaginary creatures, all appearing to interact in a lively visual dialogue.

     The title evokes the familiar English expression “as thick as thieves,” suggesting close companionship, shared secrets, and playful complicity. The figures seem engaged in a silent conversation, a choreography of gestures and expressions where humour, curiosity, and imagination intertwine. Strong colour contrasts and energetic brushwork infuse the composition with movement, guiding the eye while leaving ample room for personal interpretation.



     Through this richly layered composition, the artist invites viewers to let their imagination take the lead and discover their own stories within the painting. As in much of Bourdon’s work, chance becomes the catalyst for creation, giving rise to a world populated by distinctive, whimsical characters that are at once mysterious, expressive, and deeply engaging.

   Comme larrons en foire