Can you tell us more about your concrete experience of the lockdown ?
I spend my days at home, in Rodemack in France. I go out once a day, for an hour, for a breath of fresh air.
My workshop is part of my house, I don't have to go out to create, and can spend the day there.
What is your personal state of mind ?
In order to fight boredom, I try to stay in a very creative state of mind. I spend hours every day in my studio painting, sketching, sculpting. When inspiration starts to run out, I watch documentaries about heavenly destinations, or simply scroll through my souvenir photos of Saint Barth.
I had to go to Saint Barth and am a little frustrated that my trip was canceled. But I remain optimistic and tell myself that the important thing is to be in good health and to fight against the spread of this virus.
Does the lockdown experience have an impact on your art ?
The biggest challenge for me was the lack of equipment. Usually, I go to Germany to buy my artistic material, to which I am accustomed and faithful. Unable to find it online. Since March 15, the borders with Germany have been closed and I have not been able to get my usual supplies.
Paradoxically, this had a fairly positive impact on my artistic approach since I had to be creative to use the material available in my workshop. It made me reconnect with watercolor.
Do you practice your art during the lockdown ? if yes, can you tell us about your new pieces ?
Needing an escape more than ever, I worked on a series of watercolors inspired by our beautiful island, Saint-Barthélemy. Although far from my usual style of painting in 3D, I took great pleasure in transposing my memories of travel on paper. It allowed me to travel by bringing little bits of this paradise home.
I am also painting a series of watercolors inspired by my many days of snorkeling, depicting tropical fish.
