This body of work captures the tourlicoulis spirit—an instinctive and lyrical drawing style invented by Nathalie Gribinski. In these pieces, fluid black lines meander across the surface.

Tourlicoulis on Paper

"Tourlicoulis" is an evocative and made-up word representing a fantastical world where little doodles, resembling figures of various shapes, come alive in a whimsical dance of movement. These interconnected creations form an enchanting scenery, with each doodle adding its unique touch to the landscape. The “Tourlicoulis” embrace their identities within their realm, painting a world far from mundane or monochromatic.

The "Tourlicoulis" world teems with movement as the doodles interact on a lively canvas, infusing the scenery with joyful expressions of creativity. In this universe, the essence of the word "Tourlicoulis" transcends meaning, evoking a feeling of boundless wonder and artistic marvel.

"Tourlicoulis"

"Tourlicoulis" comes to life on acrylic backgrounds with oil markers in this series of paintings, portraying an enchanting underwater world. The little figures thrive in this whimsical realm of interconnected doodles, surrounded by vibrant and lively scenery that depicts joyful movement and bright colors. Celebrating the limitless potential of imagination, the Tourlicoulis engage in their activities, offering a delightful view of a harmonious underwater universe where creativity knows no bounds.

"Tourlicoulis" on acrylic background

Distinct from my previous collections, this series of paintings delves into the abstract realm through geometric shapes. Geometric abstraction is characterized by using geometric forms and patterns to craft compositions that highlight structure, balance, and harmony. The role of color in geometric abstraction is crucial, as it has the power to elicit varying moods and sensations. In this particular collection, the color red takes on a prominent role.

Abstract  | Angular Forms

This art style does not attempt to depict recognizable objects or subjects from the real world. This art exists independently from the external world and serves as a means of pure expression. The absence of sharp edges characterizes this category and embraces a dynamic mix of vivid colors, lines, and organic forms of all sizes. 

These elements combine harmoniously, creating an explosion of visual excitement that stimulates the senses and ignites the imagination. Abstract non-representational art celebrates creativity, offering artists and viewers a vast canvas to explore emotions, ideas, and concepts beyond the confines of the tangible world.

Abstract | Rounded Forms

This collection comprises paintings that are too distinct to classify. Mainly abstract, this category shows, however, a few representative works like flowers or birds. They all have in common the bold use of saturated colors.

Divers

This series includes works done on a deeper and smaller canvas. They are part of the "Blue Tourlicoulis" category, depicting a fantasy world, mainly underwater. These small, often playful characters tell a story. The pieces can be sold individually or as a group, allowing you to arrange them on your walls in any way you desire, showcasing your creativity. The paintings are also painted on the edges, adding a nice depth and dimension.

Boxes

This artwork collection, primarily produced in 2023, features an array of paintings created on both paper and canvas. An explosion of vibrant colors, including bright reds, deep blues, and explosive yellows, characterizes the pieces, as being abstract or more representational. I employed a variety of mediums and mixed media techniques, bringing different textures to the composition. The bright and bold color palette evokes a sense of energy and vitality, creating a dynamic visual experience.

Latest work

I started to work with watercolors after a trip to Provence. Some of those paintings bring to life the scent of thyme, quaint houses, sunlight on mountains, and warm sunflowers in a more abstract way, capturing the multi-sensory essence of the landscape. Large fields of lavender or little patches of rocks and flowers are portrayed through that imagery.

Given the nature of watercolors, these paintings exhibit a lightness and transparency that bring the artwork to life. Circular and angular shapes emerge vividly in this summer panorama, crafting a spectacle that exudes joy and tranquility. My first painting is called "Village in Provence."

Watercolors 2014

This series of works draws inspiration from pointillism, utilizing small, distinct dots of color to create the images. The bubbles are painted with oil markers, while the background is composed using acrylics. The dots form a vibrant and dynamic effect in the artwork through close juxtaposition. The deliberate arrangement of colors and shapes allows for the evocation of various moods, but collectively, they offer a serene and soothing impact on viewers.

The paintings primarily revolve around the marine universe theme, emphasizing the calming influence of water. As one gazes at these artworks, one can easily find themselves immersed in a dreamy blue world drawn by the allure of the marine environment.

Ebullition

Those paintings were created with pastels on canvas around 2016 when I desired to explore another medium. This series of paintings derives its glow from using luminous yellows, rich reds, deep blues, and vibrant greens. The inherent nature of pastels to deliver vivid hues contributes significantly to the overall allure and impact of the artwork. Pastels' soft and powdery texture has a velvety and chalk-like feel, allowing for easy blending and layering of colors.

The compositions are predominantly abstract, devoid of apparent lines, and imaginatively follow the shapes created by the interplay of colors. Most paintings convey a sense of movement, capturing dynamic energy and visual fluidity.

Pastels

Those paintings evoke the idea that our lives are like threads woven together, creating a complex and intricate tapestry of experiences, emotions, relationships, and events. The strings represent the connections that bind us to our experiences and one another, forming a larger picture of the human experience. 

The pictures in this category are characterized by a predominantly dark color palette, evoking a sense of depth and mystery. I incorporate bright highlights within this dark ambiance, adding moments of contrast and illumination to the artwork. These bright spots serve as focal points, drawing our attention to the most significant elements within the composition—narrative development.

The Strings of Life

I created a collection of paintings featuring celestial figures that evolved and expanded, breaking free from their concealment. With their bizarre and comical appearances, ranging from slender to plump, they confidently embrace their unique roles in the world. Through enchanting transformations and bold displays of identity, they proudly assert that life is a vibrant tapestry, far from ordinary or monotonous. Their vivid colors convey that life is meant to be lived in all its colorful glory, celebrating the richness of experience and defying the confines of the mundane or simplistic.

Out of Space

This concise series showcases a delightful array of animals and fantasy creatures. Each painting is skillfully executed with acrylics on canvas, and the predominant use of red emphasizes the focal points, immersing the viewer into a whimsical fantasy realm. The characters exude a sense of benevolence, notably the bear, which extends its paw in a gesture of friendship. Overall, this series encapsulates the theme of love, creating a heartwarming and inviting atmosphere.

Animals

This category features paintings created primarily on white paper using mixed media such as watercolors, acrylics, charcoals, and oil markers. The shapes are mostly rounded, with a few exceptions of straight lines. 
The combination of rounded shapes and energetic lines infuses the paintings with a sense of movement and life. 
The artist weaves a tapestry of emotions, experiences, and visual journeys by depicting sights. The set comes to life, transporting the audience to distant places, familiar memories, or imagined realms.
Through vibrant colors, fluid brushstrokes, or intricate details, these paintings breathe life into sceneries and open the door to boundless narratives that resonate with the human experience.

Mixed media on paper

This illustrative work originates from playful doodlings, starting with a black marker on white paper. Once the contours take shape, I digitally add vibrant colors. The result is excellent for prints, capturing the essence of hand-drawn art while infusing it with digital brilliance. This process allows for stunning, high-quality reproductions that preserve the charm and energy of the original doodles. Combining traditional and digital techniques brings forth a unique and captivating collection that is visually engaging and versatile for various printing formats.

Illustrations

My journey into art began after obtaining a law degree in Paris. Attending a graphics school in Chicago marked a turning point. Painting unleashed a newfound passion and self-expression. Each canvas became an outlet for emotions and dreams. This series celebrates the liberation and joy of creative exploration, inviting viewers to resonate with vibrant colors and expressive strokes. Art has enriched my life profoundly, transcending barriers and connecting with others on a profound level. To preserve and display your painting on paper, you can frame it, mount it on a hardboard or foam core, or consider gallery wrapping to keep the canvas paper's texture visible.

Early work on paper

In the farandole of monsters, imagination is at its peak, utterly liberated from the forms of reality, with always a mixture of humor and grace.
Suddenly, the animals have mutated, and their essence has flowed into molds created elsewhere in freer dimensions.
And so, the monsters parade, draped in mad extravagance. Their shapes are senseless and devilishly 
harmonious, like the intensity of the colors. All are adorable notes of a passionate ode that sings and delights our eyes. 
This monstrous parade of true diversity surpasses our humanity.
The farandole of monsters is an emotional symphony in which clowns and tragicomic elves seem to marvel at 
their appearance.

The Monsters | Illustrations

The carnival of animals is a poetic wonderland that emanates the scent of a lost paradise, veiling harsh realities with dreams and beauty. A rich palette of generous tones unfolds around the peacock like a colorful fan, which it proudly and gracefully displays. Even crocodiles, snakes, sharks, and tigers here are depicted as friendly creatures devoid of hostility.
Each animal is a poem. One gets lost in contemplation and is carried to the depths of the midnight-blue abyss. 
Here, the amused bear makes funny faces, and its heavy red paw extends in friendship.
Resembling the gods and titans of ancient times, animals abound with humanity and captivating tales to share. These marvelous stories are ours to imagine.