Moving to Chicago completely reshaped my artistic vision. Coming from a small mountain town in France, the contrast was striking. In Chicago, everything felt alive—art was in the streets, on walls, constantly evolving. The city has a raw, unfiltered energy that I love— metal bridges are rusted, houses don’t match, and yet, everything comes together in a way that feels organic and full of character.
Chicago’s vibrancy is everywhere. It’s in the movement of the people, the layers of history on its buildings, the mix of cultures that shape the city’s identity. That ever-changing, unpredictable rhythm is an endless source of inspiration for my work.
You describe art as a dialogue with the world—how do you initiate this conversation through your pieces?
Painting is my dialogue with the world. I’ve never been much of a writer, so intricate lines, colors, and textures are how I communicate my thoughts. Each piece has a title that offers a clue, but the story isn’t fixed—it’s an open conversation where the viewer plays an active role.
One of the defining aspects of my work is the presence of characters within characters. At first glance, you see a central figure, but as you look closer, hidden forms emerge. The world is like that—always layered, more than what meets the eye. Most people are first drawn in by the colors, and then they step deeper into the narrative. It’s like opening the first page of a diary or witnessing a moment of life.
The story is in motion, everything is interconnected. The conversation begins with the colors, but it continues through interpretation. My work resonates because it speaks to the present—it’s about the now, not the past or future. It’s contemporary in its subjects, and it becomes a conversation piece in a space, inviting people to engage and connect.
Explain how your global travels inspire your creative process?
I grew up in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, the town where the first maps were created and where the word America was first mentioned. That connection to exploration and discovery has always been a part of me. Travel has shaped my perspective, not just as an artist but as a person. It became even more meaningful when I started exploring the world on my own and eventually moved to Chicago.
For me, traveling is about opening yourself up to different cultures, immersing in the unknown, discovering new sounds, sights, and ways of seeing. My canvases function like a diary, capturing fragments of the places I’ve been and the people I’ve met. Colors, textures, and layers from different environments find their way into my work, blending into a visual record of my experiences. Each piece carries those influences, making every artwork its own kind of journey.
Your work often combines abstract storytelling with vibrant colors—what emotions or messages do you aim to evoke?
I want my work to be open-ended, something that keeps evolving with time. The best compliment I get is when someone tells me they see something new every time they look at a piece.
The story within each piece isn’t static. It’s not about telling a fixed narrative but creating a world that invites curiosity and personal interpretation. My work is meant to be discovered in layers, just like life itself. The colors draw people in, but it’s the hidden details, the movement, and the interaction of forms that keep the story unfolding.
How do you decide whether an idea will become a scarf, a kimono, or a canvas piece?
I see each piece—whether a canvas, a scarf, or a kimono—as a work of art. It all starts with a painting.