Christophe Bourély was born in 1962 in Paris, France.

In 1979, Bourély moved to California. There, he earned a BA in Economics at UCLA and an MBA in Marketing at San Francisco State University.

In 1990, Bourély decided to abruptly end his business career and start anew as a painter. In a few hard-working years, Bourély earned both an MFA in Painting and an MA in Art History from San José State University.

In 2000, Bourély was blessed with the birth of his son Auguste.

Bourély currently resides in Southern California where he teaches at Santa Barbara City College, Ventura College and California State University Channel Islands, and works on his engaging social-commentary paintings.