AS IS | Mathilde Polidori

From Paris

Based in Paris, France

We interviewed wonderful Mathilde about her art journey, ways to experience art, things to be inspired by, small beauties to notice, and books to explore

- enjoy!

Oil on canvas, 24x34cm « C’est si bon »

A: Please, tell us a bit more about yourself. What brought you into art?

M: I have always been passionate about art especially painting. Thought I went to university to study literature, communication, and languages. I worked for nearly 10 years as Communication Manager for the French designer Isabel Marant.

In 2020 I decided to follow my dreams and left behind my career in fashion to dedicate myself to my true passion: art, colors, and brushes!

I built my art studio near Paris, in a quiet neighborhood I love and called it “L’atelier Bleu”.

A: What inspires you the most?

M: I get very inspired by the people around me. I look at the light and shadow on their faces and try to traduce their feelings into my paintings. I can look at my friend's skin for long minutes – I don’t know if they notice, I should definitely ask!

A: Do you have any specific rituals while working (creating)?

M: I always clean and order my studio before starting a new painting. I need to feel that everything is at the right place in and out before putting the colors in my palette. Then I turn the music on, I can be either French pop music (love Pomme, Barbara Pravi, Hervé) or podcasts about art or society and sometimes opera. Now I can start painting!

A: What would you recommend to someone new to art (an artist or just an admirer), what to begin with?

M: I would recommend looking carefully at the world that surrounds her/him. And at the beginning not to focus too much on technique. It comes after.

Also, it is super important to look at other artists' works. Either in the museums and galleries and also all the great contemporary artists of all kinds that share their works on SNS.

I discovered many talented artists this way.

A: Your top 3 adjectives related to art?

M: Emotional, colorful, and simple.

pc: by Edouard de Pelleport

A: The best angle to look at art is from ..?

M: It is from your heart! You must feel art, not intellectualize too much.

A: The perfect phrase to start any conversation about art is: ..?

M: Do you feel anything looking at this piece of art? What does it tell you about yourself? About your relationship with other people and society?

A: Must-read books to talk about art (or do we even need them)?

M: I really think that everybody can talk about art as soon as she/he is moved by an artwork.

But of course, reading books is always a good tool to better understand the work and continuity of an artist's life and work. I am surrounded by art books from my favorite artists:, Niki de Saint Phalle, Georgia O’Keeffe, Suzanne Valandon, Claire Tabouret, Matisse, Picasso, Cézanne, Modigliani, Klimt, Sonia Delaunay…

A: If you could change one thing in the art world - what would it be?

M: Art classes should be mandatory until the end of high school. In France we do a lot of art class when we are super young, then around 12 y.o we often stop to express this part of our creativity, which is a true shame. Most adults stop creating artwork as if it was only a playground for children or professional artists.

I did not properly answer the question thought 😉 but this would definitely make the people look at the art world in a different and closer way.

A: Please, share your favorite quote (not necessarily related to art)

M: “Smiling is an art. It is the first act of love that will make so many defeated faces scream.”

Thank you!

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