In the studio with...
Painting female figurative subjects by memory in her studio in Paris, we caught up with Raphaële Anfré to learn more about her creative practice
Q: Hi Raphaele, how are you today!
Hello Fount Art! I’m doing well. France is under lockdown for the second time now and I’m very grateful to have the possibility to go to my studio and continue working with other talented and beautiful artists.
Q: Working on anything particularly special at the moment?
Yes I am. I’m doing a six months art residency here in Paris. I’m taking advantage of this experience to push myself to paint a bit more “freely”. Until now I had kind of a routine when it comes to painting. But I realized it was restricting me a bit so now I’m forcing myself to get out of my comfort zone by painting bigger scales pieces and breaking few rules along the way
Q: Can you explain your creative process to us? Where and how do you create your work?
It’s funny because when I talk about my creative process, it always ends up changing a few weeks later. But what I can say is that, I used to never sketch and never prepare my colours in advance. Now I usually sketch at home, sometimes in my studio, but I always paint in my studio. I paint feminine figures. I look at my own body but also at other women. I don’t take pictures and I don’t rush to sketch when I find a new shape. I keep it in my mind for a day or two or more, and then I draw it. From memory.
When I find the right shape with the right balance, I work with it in different ways depending on the drawing and the technique I want to play with. I often use the same shape for several paintings, always treating it with different techniques or colours. The “hard” part is to find the right shape and the “easy” part is to play with colours. I really enjoy this phase of my work. There is something meditative when it comes to working with colour.
Q:What materials best assist your creative process?
I’m very attached to my materials. I do have my favourites! At the moment, I’m slaloming between watercolour and oil paint, but I also use gouache and acrylic from time to time. I’m also falling in love with coloured pencils right now. As long as it is a material where pigmentation is bright and beautiful, I will create with it. The only thing that doesn’t change is that I always use the same paper from Moulin d’Arches, a well known and high quality paper made from cotton fibers in France. It is my absolute favourite and aside from canvas I only paint on this particular paper.
Q: Finally in your creative flow in your studio– what’s playing in the background?
When I sketch and when I’m searching for a new shape, I’m surrounded by silence. Same when I prepare my canvas. But when I’m ready to paint, I listen to music, podcasts, the radio, or some documentary. When I need to be extra focussed, I put on my big headphones and I isolate myself from the rest of the world.
Q: What is the strangest thing you have in your studio?
Hmmm....what is the strangest thing I have in my studio...quite frankly I don’t really know! Maybe the fact that I put fake grass on the floor #citygirlcravingfornature
Q: Describe the first time you showed your work publicly.
A mix of anxiety with a bit of disappointment and few glasses of champagne.
Q: What has been your biggest career highlight so far?
So far I would say having the opportunity to show my work in an art residency in Paris for several months. I have a few other projects in the pipeline happening in the next couple of weeks and if all goes well, they will be my biggest projects yet. So fingers crossed!
Q: ...and your biggest lesson learned?
Don’t rush to sign with galleries...
Q: What influence does living in Paris have on your work?
I love Paris, but growing up I lived in many countries (Uganda, Kenya, Hungary, Turkey, France). My paintings are not inspired by my travels (not yet maybe!) but I can say that I’m unbelievably touched by the natural light in East Africa. All the colours are super bright there, and the more I think about it, the more I realise I try to find the same sensation of brightness in my paintings. I really do miss it.
Q: What are you reading right now?
Right now I’m reading a book called “L’affaire Chevreuse” written by Hélène Clerc-Murgier. It tells the story of the Chevreuse’s Duchess during the reign of Louis XIII. A very seductive, manipulative and a bit machiavellian of a woman. A strong character!
Q: What makes you laugh?
I know it’s bad and it’s also very common but I can’t resist a good laugh when I see people falling (I always hope they don’t hurt themself though)! I also have a weak spot for stupid videos on the internet.
Q: Who are the top three artists in your dream art collection?
We are dreaming hard here! My top three pieces would be “The Talisman” painted by Édouard Vuillard, “Pitcher and bowl of fruit” by Pablo Picasso (the grey, red and gold version) and “The Rococo Chair” by Matisse. They would fit so well in my perfect interior space...
Q: Who are some of your favourite fellow creatives to follow on Instagram?
Here are few of my favourite artists from Instagram. Aurélie Mathigot, she has magic hands and a beautiful soul. Katja Angeli, of course! Yvonne Cheah for so many things. Rose Electra Harris for her beautiful bright scenes. Emma Larsson because I’m always hypnotized by her work. And last but not least, Jinyong Park, who I discovered recently and I’m completely seduced by her work.
Instagram is full of talented creatives so I could go on and on.
Q: If you could choose to sit down with one individual to ask life’s most existential questions, who would it be and what would be the first question you ask them?
If I had the opportunity to sit down with one individual it would be Nikki de Saint Phalle to ask her how she managed to deal with the majority of her work being so often misunderstood by the public. But I’m sure if you ask me this same question in a year’s time from now my answer will be different.
Raphaele curates some of her favourite pieces from Fount’s community of artists and designers
