"Maya" Painting

As a teen-ager, I always used to keep a pencil with me, ready to draw the portrait of a friend or sketch imaginary characters. My passion brought me to Art studies, first at the Atelier Roederer located Place des Vosges in the center of Paris and then to the École supérieure des Arts Appliqués Duperré, Paris 3e, where I graduated 3 years later.

After an initial experience as graphic designer for an independent graphic company, in 1997, I decided to create my own agency ‘Zaoum’ with the help of two friends. Thanks to Zaoum, I have had many exciting opportunities to discover and develop my artistic skills through numerous and diverse projects. Five years ago, I decided to dedicate more time and focus to Art and in particular to oil painting although I have always enjoyed ink/ pencil drawing and acrylic painting.

Today, painting is at the center of my life. I feel the need to show and share my creations through the means of exhibitions. I believe my paintings are very personal but I have now understood that they also carry an universal dimension which can reach and touch others.

I like to use transparencies and glazes; bodies and figures appear as mountains or rivers, always part of the landscapes, blending and belonging to them. One of the biggest influences was a trip to West America a few years ago: I finally saw the immensity of the deserts and the impressive canyons which I had dreamt of (thanks to David Hockney!). From this trip, I will forever remember the unique colours and since then, I seek to reproduce them with my pigments. I love experimenting mediums and combinations of mediums. Everyday I paint little « pochades » to practice and go further.

My painting doesn’t have to tell a story. Figures exist only on the canvas. They have no yesterday nor tomorrow. I want to leave space to the viewer’s imagination for his own and personal story.