Join the girls talk between Lulu, finalist of the laFraise 15K Contest, and me about illustration, imagination, japanese iconography, and needlework as source of recreation…

彼の想像力の強さを維持する (Imagination)

Hi Lulu, how are you? Would you like to introduce yourself?

Salut Jelka :). My name is Lucie, I’m 27 and I live in Strasbourg. I’m an illustrator specialized in children’s stuff.

Tell me about the idea behind ‚Imagination’? Why does it have a japanese title?

I would say it’s a representation of my imagination: it’s a spirit level, a secret garden in which grow so many images… It’s the world in which I used to hide when I was a child. My drawing has taken the form of a tree, as for me imagination is close to the idea of a growing tree, something abounding, mounting high and not really controllable.

I chose a Japanese title as (even though I’m not an expert in Japanese iconography) it has a strong influence on my vectorial work. Sometimes I like such completely regressive images which at the same time assume that Japanese people can produce.

Talking about imagination quickly leads to inspiration. What inspires you?

I think the images surrounding us are decisive for our inspiration. At the beginning, when I was a student, I learnt a lot by observing and admiring the works of my colleagues. Of course I feel admiration for a lot of illustrator‘s works today, but images coming from other sources than illustration can move and inspire me: a video, a scene in real life, a coloured atmosphere… Inspiration is something you can not tame, it’s really something evanescent.

‘Snow White’

Many of your works have a certain ‚feminine’ touch – not that girly, but more grown up. And I saw on your website that you even do handcrafted objects.

Oh yeah, but I accept the consequences of being a true girl in my daily life! I’m fond of clothing and shoes, I read women’s magazines, I’m a fan of interior design and so on. I like creating things around the feminine world, it inspires me a lot, it is in any case inherent in my work and that gives me great enjoyment. It’s true that I love manual works. Drawing takes a huge part in my life but I still love sewing, making jewels or…Do-it-yourself! It’s like recreation because sometimes it’s really hard to get to work and draw everyday.

Can you describe your everyday working process? You already brought up the difference between doing illustration jobs and working on free projects…

In my job, I’m always stressed by the deadlines as I should be productive and at the same time have fun and stay true to myself. When I receive a text to illustrate from my editor, basically I know what he’s expecting and that enables me not to burden my mind with so many questions. Fortunately, I’m optimistic and spontaneous when I work. I don’t need much testing before reaching my goal. Also the fact that I really take pleasure in the sketching phase is a thing that helps me. I have an intense relationship with my pencil and it seems like I’m in love with it :). And it’s no secret, when you please yourself, the result is better.

When I work on personal stuff, the process is different. I don’t need to be efficient and profitable, I only seek the pleasure of drawing. I follow my imagination, it’s a pleasant ramble.

“Lonskelund facing the montain” – Illustration from the book “Histoires de Dragons et autres creatures fantastiques” (Editions Lito)

You’ve done a couple of shirt-designs already. Is there any difference between doing a design for a shirt and for books?

Yes, for sure. Concerning books, one must not bask in the fact of doing a nice illustration, you should respect the story. In fact, it is a hard work of reflection and sometimes it’s frustrating. On a T-shirt, the great difference is that you create a unique image. Of course, you must think about the disposition of your image on the shirt, about the fact that your design will be worn by someone, still, there is a decorative dimension on a T-shirt. And I think that you can easier express yourself and let your imagination flow in the latter case.

Did you have any gallery exhibitions before?

Very few and not comparable to the recent exhibition at West Berlin Gallery. I was involved in group exhibitions in libraries or small bookshops.

And how does it feel to see your work in such a big format? Do you like how it works?

It’s quite cool and at the same time it makes you feel a little bit ill at ease. The canvas and the format put the picture into broad light. I would be curious to see it hanging in a personal atmosphere, surrounded by different items, to see the place it could occupy in a flat or in a house.

(So folks, as you can purchase ‘Imagination’ on canvas in our webshop now, we would love to see pics of it hanging in your kitchen ;) )

There we go, Lulu, thank you very much and  good luck for the future!

Merci et bonne continuation a la gallerie!

You can find Lulu’s portfolio and more interesting stuff on her blog.