Artist , Illustrator
From France
Based in Paris
We interviewed fascinating Solène Debiès about her creative journey, ways to experience art, find inspiration, questions to ask and many more
A: Please, tell us a bit more about yourself. What brought you into art?
S: I've always loved to draw. I also loved math when I was a kid, but when I had to choose around 18, I realized that I would rather spend my life playing with pencils and colors than numbers! So I chose to become an illustrator. But I find that there is a bit of the same pleasure in finishing an illustration that works as in solving an equation...
A: What inspires you the most?
S: People on the street, whether around my home in France or those I meet during my travels. Travel is also very important to me, it feeds me with images and new scenes that I then draw in my illustrations.
A: Do you have any specific rituals while working (creating)?
S: I don't have a particular ritual but what helped me was learning about the work of a designer. I first understood that there were moments that were not conducive to creation: in this case there is no point in forcing. The best thing to do is to do something else: a walk, to do the dishes, answer an old email, bask in the sun if the weather is nice! And then, I do not know why, there are moments when inspiration comes, and the images create themselves in my head. And if this happens, you have to go and put on paper everything that wants to go out! So, I organize myself and my work to always integrate these phases of scramble and creation that are both necessary.
A: What would you recommend to someone new to art (rather an artist or just an admirer), what to begin with?
S: Maybe try to remember how they used to invent an activity for themselves when they were kids... Looking for nothing specific, but finding lots of exciting things to try.
A: Your top 3 adjectives related to art?
S: Original, touching, amazing... for example. But I'll think about it!
A: The best angle to look at art is from ..?
S: Maybe from the inside?
A: The perfect phrase to start any conversation about art is: ..?
S: To begin with, would you like to taste with me this delicious bottle of Burgundy?
A: If you could change one thing in the art world - what would it be?
S: I would return its original simplicity to art, the one that all children know. We all have a crazy reserve of creativity in us, but few people allow themselves to express it or take pleasure in feeling that of others. I would like to make art and creation accessible to all, and in all fields! More creativity in the kitchen, in the household, in mechanics, in IT, in management! Anyone can create, everyone has unspeakable images, melodies or ideas in their heads, and everyone has the right to try to express them by any means. I am for an awareness that we are all potential artists. Art should conquer the world!
A: Please, share your favorite quote (not necessarily related to art)
S: “Zeal has killed more men than laziness.” (Corsican proverb)
Thank you!