I paint a lot on the theme of the ocean—in fact my comfort color is blue along with its harmonies and complementary colors. I like the strength of contrasts, and I like light and saturated colors. I draw my inspiration from my travels, in museums and from my artist friends with whom I exchange a lot, which gives me a great deal of creative energy. I always look for an emotion or an element of excitement, which I then transfer to my canvases. Ultimately, I paint what moves me.

Surf Ocean, acrylic, 28¾ x 391⁄3” (73 x 100 cm)

 

Colline Sarde, acrylic, 31½ x 31½” (80 x 80 cm) 

 

Before starting a canvas, I often have a precise idea of what I would like to paint. I then do composition research on paper or on the computer. I also take up my watercolor sketches drawn during my travels. Everything is in the nature that surrounds us, you just have to want to look.  

Petit Port, acrylic, 51 x 63¾ (130 x 162 cm)

 

Falaise Azur, acrylic, 31½ x 31½” (80 x 80 cm)

 

My Art in the Making Grand Voile

For this work I wanted to make a large-format painting. I imagined a large, bright white sail and then stylized the boats surrounding it.

Stage 1

Stage 1  Sketch

I begin a sketch in graphite pencil on my canvas and start blocking in the sky.

Stage 2

Stage 2  Sky

Continuing with the sky in vertical lines, I go down gradually to the bottom of the painting. This allows me to make large, flat areas of color.

Stage 3

Stage 3  Mixing the Paint

Here I used a medium blue with a touch of turquoise for the sky. The horizontal part is treated with the same blue as the sky but adding either titanium white or dark turquoise.

Stage 4

Stage 4  Palette Knifework

I work with painting knives and acrylic for an edgy look. Acrylic also allows for quick implementation and thickness, and it dries quickly.

Stage 5

Stage 5  The Boats

I choose complementary colors for the boats, taking liberty with the reflections in the water and making them more geometric. 

Stage 6

Stage 6  Finished Artwork

Grand Voile, acrylic, 55 x 55” (140 x 140 cm)  Finally, the black color of the main boat allows the eye to focus on the large white sail, which is deliberately oversized.