At GreatArt we like to highlight the artists who share their studio ideas with us. She exhibits throughout the world and in several galleries. If you have not yet seen Amylee’s paintings, this article will be a good update!
Tell us a bit about yourself, and how you found your way as an artist?
“I’ve been a professional Fine Artist since 2008, and I’ve practiced drawing and painting since I was a child. I was born in the South of France, in Nîmes, in 1978.I am lucky to have very encouraging parents. They let me following the career that I wanted: Arts.”
“I went into Plastic Arts, then Fine Arts and I finished my studies with Applied Arts and Design. Then I got a diploma “Master 2” of Arts at the University of Toulouse. School was never a problem for me, I was a pretty good student and I’ve enjoyed and shared the rewards of that effort. I have always seen school as a source of useful information to grow in my favourite field: Art!”
“Why did I choose Paris for my name? In a nutshell, it was in this city that a gallery opened its doors to my Art for the first time. You might say that my Art was born in this city. Therefore, I wear this name in tribute to Paris.”
“After Nîmes, Montpellier, Toulouse, Paris, I stayed in London (for 5 years) and I moved back to France last year!”
Who or what influences your creativity?
“My inspirations are very quick to change. They appear when I’m reading, with new exhibitions I’ve visited, with movies I’ve viewed, my nature walks, and anything around me that may catch my eye. I have moments where I will be more interested in one artist than another. For a while, my portraits were influenced by the Art of Gustav Klimt, Caravaggio, Johannes Vermeer, and Diego Velasquez. Then I changed to Alfons Mucha, Andy Warhol, Takashi Murakami. Afterwards, I fed my brain with the paintings of impressionists such as Claude Monet or Berthe Morisot and the academicism of Sir Alma-Tadema. His painting “The Roses of Heliogabalus” is absolutely stunning!”
“Right now, I’m focusing more on abstracted floral art. My relatives often say to me that I’m a real Pokemon. Depending on the emotions I feel or the energy focused around a new centre of interest, myself as an artist, and my Art will both change.”
“Inspired by the philosophy of Kintsugi and the technique of peeling paint, I am interested in the experience of pictorial material. Cracking no longer means tearing, but the beginning of another cycle and a continuity. It is no longer a question of hiding the imperfections, but of putting them forward.”
“The use of gold then sublimates the message of this peeled, worn paint. Botanicals symbolise change, victory over the torments of life.”
What is your favourite medium and why?
“I prefer creating with water-based medium for simplicity. It can be acrylic, watercolour or gouache paint. I paint on linen canvas and draw on thick paper.”
“Like fashionistas, I like mixing brands to create my own style. In my studio you will find mainly Royal-Talens Amsterdam, Liquitex and I love Art. I am a huge colour lover. I made a colour bar to help me find my colours easily when I paint. “
What 5 words would you use to describe your work?
“Bright, spontaneous, colourful, sensation, wave of joy. “
Is there something you couldn’t live without in your studio?
What are your 5 essential tools?
“In my studio, you will always find:
- A very good easel (I prefer those with a crank handle)
- Different sizes of flat, synthetic hair brushes from Jax-Hair
- A mixing palette made of rigid PVC, easier to clean up !
- A trolley to move my creative materials when I paint.
- Several suspension hooks. It’s a very practical system for hanging stretched canvases on a rack or a wall.
Most of these products are currently available at GreatArt Online or in their art supply shop in London Shoreditch.”
When did you become a GreatArt artist partner? And why did you start working with them?
“I have had a blog since 2009, then I started writing for Géant des Beaux Arts in France in 2013 and joined GreatArt later in 2015. It’s lovely sharing my daily artist life with people, and my favourite tools that I use in my studio. I always try to simplify my way of working. Some web users say on social media that I am the queen of art life hacks and tips! I find it really funny!”
Could you give a brief insight into what you do when you’re not painting?
“When I’m not painting, I read and write a lot. I write for myself and for others on my blog. I publish 2 posts per week on amylee.fr. In my posts, I talk about my job, my tools, my communication. Being an artist requires wearing a double cap: one for the creator and other for the entrepreneur.2 years ago, I started to share my experience and skills with beginner artists. After reading my online posts more and more people wanted to talk with me. These people were looking for good and sound advice. According to my excellent reviews, my advice is very appreciated!”
“The chance to interact with a professional artist like myself is a great source of information and inspiration for people who are starting out. When I started, I did not have anyone to turn to. I made several mistakes and wrong turns but I always get up because I love my job! Also, I like to find myself alone to activate my imagination. I like forest bathing. Do you know Shinrin-Yoku, I recommend it!”
“I walk outside as often as I can. I also left the big cities like Paris and London, and now find myself in the countryside in the centre of France “Cantal”. Around me, it’s green as far as the eye can see, trees, meadows, animals, flowers and the song of the birds that soothes me and helps me breathe better!”
Are you interested in other forms of artistic technique?
“I used to draw little sketches or doodles everywhere: on paper napkins, on a receipt, on my note book. In addition to practicing watercolour, oil pastels and markers, I am also interested in modern calligraphy. It’s amazing to see what can be done with a line drawn on a piece of paper. I like to work with Tombow Dual Brush Pens. These pens are ideal for illustrators, graphic artists or sketching.”
What useful advice would you share with beginner artists?
“1) Believe in your Art even if it seems imperfect, and even if you have not studied art. Self-taught artists are often much better at living off their art than artists leaving school.”
“2) To avoid loneliness surround yourself with positive minds and artists who inspire, most importantly learn from them.”
What is the best tip you can share with us from your studio?
“I often share many of those through GreatArt (in their print or online magazine) but my favourite tip at the moment is to wash my brushes (and my hands as well) with a silicone, scrubber sponge. Acrylic paint comes off much easier with this tool. No need to rub very hard! A good tip for brushes and our skin!”
Where can we currently see your paintings (galleries, exhibitions)?
“You can find my paintings in different places:
My current exhibitions can be found here:
- Wyecliffe Galleries, WEYBRIDGE KT13 9DT (United Kingdom)
- Lendnine Gallery, GRAZ (Austria)
- Saatchi Art, Online Gallery, click here
“Then you will find more work here:
- My website amylee.paris
- My Entrepreneur Artist Magazine mainly in Frenc.
- And on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram with @amyleeparis”
Do you have any news for us? What is your next project?
“Until the 31st of October, I am exhibiting at the Relais de Margaux 5-star Hotel, MARGAUX-CANTENAC 33460 (France). More than 30 paintings are on display in different parts of the hotel (hall, corridor, restaurant and bar).”
“I would love to show my Art in beautiful hotels in London but I have had nothing but nice invitations in French hotels for the time being. If a London hotel is interested in exhibiting my Art, they can contact me at [email protected].
“I have other great ongoing projects with new galleries in the UK. Fresh news will be published on my Facebook page and my Instagram. I am sure that I will find out more in September.”
“For my next project, I would like to work with decorators, interior designers or brands focused on an arty atmosphere and colourful projects. If Matthew Williamson, you’re reading this and you like my portfolio, do not hesitate to contact me! I have a passion for working with people like you! ”
If you enjoyed Amylee’s style, there are plenty more hints and ideas to enjoy! Find all Amylee’s posts published in GreatArt online Magazine by clicking here!
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ldakers
Thank you very much for your words and your encouragement GreatArt London. I shared this interview on my social media 🙂
Thank YOU Amylee for all your hard work!