We are absolutely thrilled to have worked with Marie at the recent Affordable Art Fair in Battersea, London. Her artwork was a real conversation starter and caught the eye of both established followers of Marie and those who visited the ArtFriend stand and discovered Marie’s work for the first time. Everyone is in awe when they see Marie’s artwork up close and discover that each brick and small detail is individually painted. Light is a common theme within her work and she is a master at capturing the essence of a scene; offering as a view that feels familiar and calming.
Autumn in Loughborough Junction
Marie paints with oils and she enjoys the smells and textures associated with oil paint. After a recent visit to Marie’s studio, it is evident that it is her happy space and feels so creative and special, filled with these smells and textures she so loves. She shared that her studio is her favourite place in the world and she loves the slow process of painting and creating. Whilst at her studio, Marie is in her own space amongst other creatives, each doing their own thing. The atmosphere is quiet, purposeful and cut off from the outside. According to Marie, “Its bliss.”
Originally from Paris, Marie came to London to study Graphic Design at Camberwell College of Art in 1995. London has been lucky to have her ever since! She started painting at 13 years old and attributes this to her dad who introduced her to painting through the practice of observational still lives and self-portraits. Alongside this, she sometimes worked at his colour design studio, where she would spend hours cutting and sticking very precise bits of Pantone card to make into 2D models of streets and cities.
From this early inspiration, much of Marie’s current work features urban landscapes and buildings which she bases on places she encounters as she walks or travels around London. Some of the locations she features are recurring themes within her practise, such as the bridges near my studio in Loughborough Junction. Other compositions come to Marie as more of a surprise.
Under the Bridge by the Studio
As a result of previously being a documentary video maker, Marie is good at visualising what will make an effective composition for an upcoming painting. She uses photographs as a starting point for her painting process as they capture a ‘moment of seeing’. She focuses on the lines, light, colour and shape as she develops her ideas through the drawing stage which she will then mark with a biro on canvas.
As Marie says, “Reality is simplified, and perspectives become my own. I then spend a lot of time on the colour, the gradients and the light – working and reworking areas and shapes in relation to each other.”
We are excited at collaborating with Marie again later in 2025 so keep an eye out on our socials for further information. The scale and presence of Marie’s artwork really are something to behold when you see them in real life. In the meantime, be sure to check out Marie’s stunning body of work with ArtFriend Gallery here.
