Watercolors / Paintings

«For me, watercolors [“aquarelles”] are a sort of vacation. After painting at the easel – which can be punishing, very nearly a guillotine for me – watercolors are freeing. I have always used them to relax. Watercolors come out spontaneously, which I find especially enjoyable considering it is the opposite of how I otherwise paint: always very orderly, with clear intent.

But when I watercolor, I don’t really know what I am going to do. The blobs of color themselves inspire the image. The water plays tricks on me, it does what it wants – it’s a tug of war between us two. I strike back, I try to steer it, to make it obey. But I enjoy the water’s disobedience. In it, I might see a lock of hair, a hint of skin; suddenly, and effortlessly, I might find that a face appears. Going after it, I shape it, and find that it has become the image of a pale girl.

It’s interesting how with the watercolors, a crowd of people or shapes can appear. Ultimately I must choose just one to bring forward – albeit with a little uncertainty.

The word “aquarelle” itself is very beautiful: water…little water…aquarelle.»