Questions-F.A.Q. *IN ENGLISH

THANKS MARYSE for this translation ;)

Before starting, I would like thanking you for your visits and to let all those commentaries which make this blog Alive ;) As I swear, I answer to the questions you asked here and there.

It isn’t constructing, it doesn’t pretend to be an interview, I didn’t order the questions, it’s a little mess.I hope it will become clearer about my career path, my work, my passion and my days. Don’t hesitate to comment all of this.

I will organise Tchats on my official Facebook page probably during September.

*What are the illustrated books which made you dream when you were a little girl ?

Unfortunately, I don’t remember all the titles. But my favourites ones were “Emilie”, “La poupoune et le Gramgroum”, and “Ernestine et Célestine” from Gabrielle Vincent (Thanks Mélanie). I was fond of “J’aime lire” and especially the stories titled « Tomtom et Nana » !. I remembered an enormous illustrated book about “Les Fables de la Fontaine” which marked a lot me.I am a real fan of Disney, my favourite cartoon which stays as a reference is “Sleeping beauty”. I was afraid and fascinated by it, it is a strange memory. It stays, for me, as one of the most interesting cartoon of a graphic point of view.

  

*Could you describe your career path ?

 It will be a long story!!!

As long as I can remember, I always had a pen in my hands.

I redrew Disney’s princess and made horrible painting for the Mother’s Day.

All my junior high school’s notebooks were covered with tags, sketches, fashion’s drawing (and a lot of Kurt Cobain’s pictures).

 After a high school diploma in literature and arts test, I was accepted at the Pivaut-Nantes school, where I followed the advertising graphics program.

I understood, at this moment that I will do it my job, It make me feeling alive, vibrate.

I admit, I wasn’t fond of the perspective and documentaries studies’ courses (whatever ^^)

 It was very important for me to be in a school, learn the basis, be structured, and judged … it doesn’t suit to everybody, but it allows me to go beyond.

In this period, I acquired a kind of freedom in the drawing (thanks to the nude).

At the end of my studies, I began painting with animals painted on wood (acrylic and “gouache”) with an original frame make by my wonderful daddy.

 I approached some decoration’s stores, and won my first orders.

Six months later, I answered to an announcement for a replacement as a textile graphic designer at “Alphabet”, six months at “Sucre d’Orge” and two months at Kenzo.

 I decided to resign this last job to launch me in freelance. It was a vital need, like an obsession!

I got an exhibition for my series “Les Nicoles” at Le Bon Marché-Paris, it activated many orders.

I have still worked in the textile industry during two seasons as a freelance for Kenzo and Catimini.

But more the time passed, more the personal illustration took me time : exhibitions, press, editions. At this period, I can say that I have worked as a headless chicken, but I knew it was the tribute for having a name and additionally pay the rent!

I started having a well filed book and I had launched my blog. It is at this period the Amereta’s edition got in touch with me. They offer to me to create a little character who will be a book sage heroine for the little children (Lilichou was born).

 In the same time, I got in touch with La Marelle (I was a real fan of all their artists and their range of products), and I was really surprised when I received Pascale’s answer “Ok”. I can remember very well this moment:

I read the mail and then I was jumping like a crazy girl in the entire flat ;) it was a great joy and it will stay one for ever.

 I won’t tell everything in all the details, but everything happened in quick succession, and then my first album, good press articles, wonderful exhibitions …

 One of t he mayor point of my path is the meeting with my loved one who learnt me a lot and it continuous.

For the beginner, there is no mystery, to do this work you need passion, a lot of work, hours of practice, enjoy yourself, try but stay yourself in your drawings.

Don’t listen the others, make your own choices. It could be difficult sometimes when you will need money, to give up food propositions; you will have to find your balance.

And everybody make mistakes, some bad choices … it doesn’t matter, practice makes perfect!

*Do you approach customers?

At the beginning, I was looking for customers and editors. Today, I am lucky, I have 2 agents for the advertisings contracts and communication, one for France : Virginie and another one for United States of America : Lilla Rogers.

I have a contract with  La Marelle éditions  for paper mill and jewelleries … I work with several editors for my albums, I exhibit in France and in United States of America. I receive a lot of various propositions ^-^. I have got many projects in a big hurry which is pretty cool but I don’t do things too quickly

To cut a long story short, I am a happy graphic designer (even if there are ups and downs).

*I would like knowing how did you trained in graphics tools and especially to illustrator?

 At school in the main lines (it is very useful) but especially by practicing.

It passed 10 years since my first step with Illustrator, then Photoshop. I put years on !!!

Practising every days help us to discover lots of tools, tips and tricks … I learnt a lot during my textile graphic designer jobs for various brands.

Between colleagues we exchanged, it was great (Big Up girls).

So, I advise to those who begin to follow a little trainee and to practice a bit each day, go on newsgroup too, look at demos …

*What is your way of doing for an illustration and what are the main tools you use on Photoshop / Illustrator ?

 I work on my illustration by this way:

The first step is a first draft in my notebook, it is just to find the idea, and it is usually ugly!

Then, I look for graphics elements, decoration, colored atmosphere, in the magazines, books, films and photos. I stick everything in my notebook. I look for a composition, and I rework on my sketch for having a more precise drawing.

I take some photos for the poses (I photograph myself) or for textures effects. I realized background page with acrylic, watercolour, graphite  

I scan and rework the all on Illustrator and Photoshop with my best friend “The graphic tablet” (essential). I won’t make neither course, nor video and even less script (as someone asked for), because I have my way of making and it is never the same. I want keeping a little part of magic in my work, and don’t show what happen behind the scene ^-^. But, I swear, I will make a step by step of the main lines this year. I just have to keep in mind taking some screen shots

*How many times do you need for an illustration?
Realising an illustration needs between 2 days and a week, it depends of the order.

If there is a theme or If I am on a personal illustration (for the last one, it could be longer).

 More the time go and more I work on the researches, the details … and sometimes, I can’t find the inspiration! I need to go outside, to do some shopping, to buy books, to go to the cinema and to travel for a better restart.

I am just coming back from holiday and I have a lot of desires, ideas …. But I will start by remaking “Kokeshis”.

 My ideas come in the evening, when I am lying on my bed for starting the night; I fall asleep by thinking of my projects.

*Did the illustrator job is the one you were dreaming about when you were a little girl ? Or did you have an other dream ? 

 I was dreaming about becoming a fashion designer, but when I worked in the fashion industry, I realised it wasn’t my business. Strangely, I can’t sew; I am a clumsy clot with a needle! And, in reality I am not very patient …

*Who are the artists whom you admire, all the period mixed up ?  Klimt, Schiele, Monet, Van-Gogh, Myazaki, Idrew Him, James Jean, Mark Ryden, Ray Cesar, Marion Peck,  Hisae Iwaoda, Princesse Camcam, Samuel Ribeyron, Manuel Arenas, Nicoletta Ceccoli, Maya Mihindou, Alexandre Day, Rebecca Dautremer, Ashley wood, Annette Marnat., Daisuke Tsutsumi.. and many other else .

*What is your typical day ? (At what time do you get up? How many hours do you work per day ?)
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*You have got a Mac, but what is the version ?

I have got 2 Mac, a big one in my office and a laptop (in addition an i-phone), I am a MAC addict !

That is the best for working on pictures.

*Isn’t it too slow, because it looks like you are working on heavy illustrations? ;)

No, it isn’t slow even if my illustrations’ weight are between 100 and 500 Mo !

*What is your perfect project?

I have many dreams, desires, … I would like doing more and more personal projects, maybe more exhibitions and an art book or a book which compile all my illustration.

*On what format would you like working ?

I would like remake some Kokeshis, certainly in collaboration with Alexandre.

*Your husband is in freelance to, isn’t it ? How do you manage it, do you work in the same room, or does he have his own?

 My husband is a double agent ^-^ : he is a teacher in an arts’ school and an illustrator / artist the rest of the time. At this time, we share my studio (it is a real mess) his one is in reorganization.