Isabelle’s mixed media paintings combine vibrant dynamic colours that generate excitement and trigger emotions. Acrylic being her main medium, enhanced by a resin used creates an amazing gloss, leaving a sculptured appearance to the completed work. The final effect is so strong that her paintings have often been mistaken for digital work or print making. Our Gallery Direct, Carol Caiger, wanted to find out more…

Carol: What is the inspiration behind your artwork and how does it relate to your pieces?

Isabelle: Colours and texture are very important to me as they are the basis of my work. When I paint, these are the two very important elements that I can’t go without. Life is flying by so fast, not much is left to nature anymore. I believe that going back to what matters to me is the way to go.

I love playing with colours and when I manage to get a perfect interaction between them, it drives me to carry on.. it’s a very emotional way of painting, as my mood can reflect on which colour I play with…colours reflect personality and feeling, so people will be attracted by different paintings all the time and I try to make sure there is a colour for everyone!

Carol: When did you know you were going to be an artist?

Isabelle: I think I always knew. Art is something I could not live without, I did not always paint, but I would draw or write all the time. It’s a part of who am I.

Carol: What artist inspires you?

Isabelle: I don’t think it will not come as a surprise but the work of Gerhard Richter, he has been my biggest source of inspiration. I am also very attracted by the abstract expressionism movement and minimal art with artist like Donald Judd and Sol LeWitt.

Carol: - How do you start your pieces?

Isabelle: By choosing the background colour. It’s start with that and with my mood!!! I don’t have a specific idea, I just look at all my paints and I pick one. .

Carol: Can you tell us about your process?

Isabelle: It all starts with one stroke and then I will remove paint if necessary. I never add paint after I have done a movement on the canvas.

Now, in terms on how I produce these different patterns, well that’s a bit of a secret, but I can say that I create my own tools and that’s how I manage to get so many different textures.

I am someone with a massive control on my life, so this way of painting allows me to be totally free, as I can’t control what will happen on the canvas. The process of taking a risk is very present as sometimes I am almost scared to put those colours on the canvas because sometimes it works, sometimes it does not so I just need to keep trying to find a perfect combination!

Carol: How long does it take to complete a piece?

Isabelle: It’s very hard to say. There are a lot of layers (for the background) and drying time, so it can easily take days. It would be impossible to do a painting in one day.

Carol: Do you have a typical question that everyone asks you about your work?

Isabelle: Yes: what is it? I get that all the time and love it. People are very intrigue in front of my works and I love it!

Carol: What is your studio like and where is it?

Isabelle: Funny enough, I have just moved back to Canada in the town where I grew up and I live in a hangar at the local airport. It’s amazing as I have two massive working spaces! My studio is very organised and I try to keep it pretty clean, I am re-organising everything all the time!!!

Carol: What do you like doing when you are not creating?

Isabelle: Boxing/Kickboxing/fighting sport, I have been practicing for almost 20 years, it’s a big part of my life and you can see some references of it in my work.

Carol: What is your perfect weekend?

Isabelle: My perfect weekend would be hot too hot, not too cold and go for a long walk with my husband and my beagle!!!

Artist In The Spotlight:.....Isabelle Beaubien

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