An Interview with artist Margot Gunta Delhomme
People travel for many different reasons. This past weekend, I traveled to Paris for the sole purpose of meeting with one of my favourite artists, Margot Gunta Delhomme. Margot was at Art Shopping Paris (May 25-27, 2018) expo at the Carrousel du Louvre presenting her work.
Not only was I able to admire her unique and beautiful pieces of art but I also had the privilege to interview Margot who grew up in Latvia. I met this artist a few years ago in Provence. She was just at the beginning of her career. What drew me to her collage portraits, was her use of vivid colour and how alive with emotion they were. Aside from her lovely work, I also admire her very real talent and her drive to work and create.
My interview (below) with Margot Gunta Delhomme can also be read in French (version française). All and any translation and interpretation errors are my own.
Q: When did you know you wanted to become an artist?
Becoming an artist was my childhood dream ⊠eventually forgotten, instead I focused on beauty and professional make up, body painting. I even got a few prizes in international contests. Recently, once I turned 40 I returned to my childhood dream. It was now or never. I went back to school to study graphic design. At the beginning, my focus was on artistic technique.
Q: Why did you choose collage as your preferred expression in art?
During my first year as an artist, I tried a lot of techniques including my first collage portrait using mosaic technique from old ripped magazines. Even though it was my very first time, I felt incredibly comfortable with the exercise ⊠As if I had had always known how to do it, without being aware of it. This first portrait of my son, evoked a lot of powerful emotions for me. One day, my mother-in-law who is an artist herself, came over for dinner and when she saw this piece, she also found it very moving. She was getting ready for an exhibition of her sculptures made from old metal tools, and she suggested I join her. I was completely unprepared for that. I had a month to create six more portraits of my son.
Q: Describe your work process for a collage piece?
Typically, for a portrait, I first draw on paper or canvas, (I prefer canvas). Then I rip pages from magazines and sort them by colour. I have a lot of magazines in my workshop and it is quite messy. I start the process with the background, sometimes I paint it, sometimes I use collage. The very first thing I do on a portrait is the eyes, as it does give life to the portrait instantly. As a result, my communication with the artwork begins at this moment. I then continue with the face, and finish with the hair (if any).
Q: You mostly create portraits. What fascinates you so about the human face?
The reason for my love of portraits is simple : I love people and faces, my challenge is to communicate emotions. And thatâs why eyes are key.
Q: Which artists inspire you?
In my childhood, the artist I felt the strongest connection to, was Auseklis BaukĆĄÄ·enieks (1910â2007), a Latvian painter. I had a book with photos of his art, which I loved to look at. This artist’s works have a unique style, a combination of naĂŻve art and surrealism.
My inspiration also comes from TetsugorĆ Yorozu, One of the early 20th-century pioneers of modern Japanese painting. He himself was influenced both by Fauvism and Cubism.
And Picasso, of course. When I was studying in Paris, I often visited the Picasso Museum. I learned to understand his art. One Picasso quote is engraved in my memory forever: âEvery child is an artist. The problem is to remain an artist once we grow up.â I’m still trying to remain an artist despite being an adult.
I also want to mention René Magritte with his surreal works. I feel very close to his universe.
Q: What projects are you working on right now?
My next two projects are:
(1) Revisiting major art pieces, I just did The Mona Lisa, The Venus by Botticelli and The Orphan Girl by Delacroix. By doing so I learn from major artists, and it is quite challenging. It is difficult to make small details in a collage.
I also do collages of famous singers: Freddy Mercury, Jim Morrison, Amy Winehouse (in progress) and so on. I want to have a collection of all my favourites singers.
(2) And my latest project is a big format canvas that will be exhibited in the streets of Carpentras in the south of France in July and August for the Papillons Festival.
Q: What is the most indispensable item in your studio?
The most important things for me when I work are a quiet room where I can be alone, listening to the music of the singer I am doing the portrait of (if applicable), scissors, glue ⊠and a cup of coffee on hand.
Q: If you could own any piece of art in the world, what would it be and why?
That would be a Matisse portrait (Henri Matisse, Large Odalisque in Striped Pantaloons â1925, lithograph) of a nude woman which I would love to have in my bedroom. Reaching this level of artistic expression is my ultimate goal. It was in 1906 when Matisse discovered the process of lithography. The lithographic pencil reflects the softness of the different materials: velvet, silk and skin.
Q: This weekend, you are showing your art at an expo only a few steps away from the Louvre. How exciting is that?
I am of course very excited to exhibit in such a prestigious place. Imagine my version of The Mona Lisa will be displayed a few meters away from the original. Being surrounded by the works of major artist does make it very special.
Q: What is your advice for artists who are just starting out?
My advice would be to follow your intuition and not to listen to destructive and negative critiques. Try, explore, experiment, play, be curious.
To see more of this artist’s work, follow Margot Gunta Delhomme on any of these:
Thank you! Merci! We’d love to hear from you, so please leave any comments below. And don’t forget to subscribe to our blog (form below blog). Au revoir!
BPK
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 Une interview avec l’artiste Margot Gunta Delhomme





Q: Quand avez-vous su que vous vouliez devenir un artiste?
Margot Gunta Delhomme: Devenir artiste c’Ă©tait mon rĂȘve d’enfance … finalement oubliĂ©, … je me suis concentrĂ©e sur l’esthĂ©tique et le maquillage professionnel, la peinture corporelle. J’ai mĂȘme eu quelques prix dans des concours internationaux. RĂ©cemment, une fois que j’ai eu 40 ans, je suis retournĂ© Ă mon rĂȘve d’enfance. Le sentiment que câĂ©tait maintenant ou jamais. Je suis retournĂ© Ă l’Ă©cole pour Ă©tudier le graphisme. Au dĂ©but, je me suis concentrĂ© sur la technique artistique.
Q: Pourquoi avez-vous choisi le collage comme expression prĂ©fĂ©rĂ©e dans l’art?
Margot Gunta Delhomme: Pendant ma premiĂšre annĂ©e comme artiste, j’ai essayĂ© beaucoup de techniques, y compris mon premier portrait de collage en utilisant la technique de la mosaĂŻque Ă partir de vieux magazines dĂ©chirĂ©s. MĂȘme si c’Ă©tait ma toute premiĂšre fois, je me sentais incroyablement Ă l’aise avec l’exercice … Comme si j’avais toujours su comment le faire, sans m’en rendre compte. Ce premier portrait de mon fils, a suscitĂ© beaucoup d’Ă©motions fortes pour moi. Un jour, ma belle-mĂšre, artiste elle-mĂȘme, est venue dĂźner chez nous et quand elle a vu ce tableau, elle l’a aussi trouvĂ© trĂšs puissant. Elle se prĂ©parait pour une exposition de ses sculptures faites Ă partir de vieux outils en mĂ©tal, et elle m’a invitĂ©e Ă la rejoindre. Je n’Ă©tais absolument pas prĂȘte pour ça. J’ai eu un mois pour faire six autres portraits de mon fils.
Q: Décrivez votre processus de travail pour un tableau de collage?
Margot Gunta Delhomme: Typiquement, pour un portrait, je dessine d’abord sur papier ou sur toile, (je prĂ©fĂšre la toile). Ensuite, je dĂ©chire des pages de magazines et je les trie par couleurs, j’ai beaucoup de magazines dans mon atelier et c’est assez dĂ©sordonnĂ©. Je commence le processus avec le fond, parfois je le peins, parfois j’utilise le collage. La premiĂšre chose que je fais sur un portrait, ce sont les yeux, et cela donne vie au portrait instantanĂ©ment. Et une communication commence avec l’Ćuvre Ă ce moment. Je continue ensuite avec le visage, et je termine avec les cheveux (le cas Ă©chĂ©ant!).
Q: Vous crĂ©ez surtout des portraits. Qu’est-ce que vous fascine tant dans le visage humain?
Margot Gunta Delhomme: La raison de mon amour pour les portraits est simple: j’aime les gens et les visages, mon dĂ©fi est de communiquer les Ă©motions. Et câest pourquoi les yeux sont la clĂ© de tout.
Q: Quels artistes vous inspirent?
Margot Gunta Delhomme: Auseklis BaukĆĄÄ·enieks (1910-2007), un peintre letton, Ă©tait l’artiste avec lequel je me sentais le plus fortement liĂ© dans mon enfance. J’avais un livre avec des photos de son art, que j’aimais regarder. Les Ćuvres de cet artiste ont un style unique, une combinaison d’art naĂŻf et de surrĂ©alisme.
Mon inspiration vient aussi de TetsugorĆ Yorozu, l’un des pionniers de la peinture japonaise moderne du dĂ©but du XXe siĂšcle. Il Ă©tait lui-mĂȘme influencĂ© Ă la fois par le fauvisme et le cubisme.
Et Picasso, bien sĂ»r. Quand j’Ă©tudiais Ă Paris, je visitais souvent le musĂ©e Picasso. J’ai appris Ă comprendre son art. Ma mĂ©moire est gravĂ©e d’une phrase Picasso: “Dans chaque enfant il y a un artiste. Le problĂšme est de savoir comment rester un artiste en grandissant.” J’essaie toujours de rester une artiste; et dâĂȘtre une adulte aussi.
Je veux encore mentionner RenĂ© Magritte avec ses Ćuvres surrĂ©alistes. Je me sens trĂšs proche de son univers.
Q: Sur quels projets travaillez-vous en ce moment?
Margot Gunta Delhomme: Mes deux prochains projets sont:
(1) Je revisite des Ćuvres d’art majeures, je viens de faire La Joconde, La VĂ©nus de Botticelli et La Jeune Orpheline de Delacroix. En faisant ça, j’apprends de grands artistes, et c’est assez difficile. Il est difficile de faire de petits dĂ©tails dans un collage.
Je fais aussi des collages de chanteurs célÚbres: Freddy Mercury, Jim Morrison, Amy Winehouse (en cours) etc. Je veux avoir une collection de tous mes chanteurs préférés.
(2) Mon dernier travail est une toile grand format qui sera exposĂ©e dans les rues de Carpentras dans le sud de la France en juillet et aoĂ»t pour le Festival International d’Art Contemporain Les Papillons.
Q: Quel est l’objet le plus indispensable dans votre studio?
Margot Gunta Delhomme: Les choses les plus importantes pour moi quand je travaille sont une piĂšce tranquille oĂč je peux ĂȘtre seule, Ă©couter la musique du chanteur de qui je fais le portrait (le cas Ă©chĂ©ant), des ciseaux, de la colle … et une tasse de cafĂ©.
Q: Si vous pouviez possĂ©der n’importe quelle Ćuvre d’art dans le monde, laquelle ça serait et pourquoi?
Margot Gunta Delhomme: Ce serait un portrait de Matisse “Grande Odalisque Ă Culotte BayadĂšre” 1925, lithographie d’une femme nue que j’aimerais dans ma chambre. Atteindre ce niveau d’expression artistique est mon but ultime. C’est en 1906 que Matisse dĂ©couvre le processus de la lithographie. Le crayon lithographique reflĂšte la douceur des diffĂ©rents matĂ©riaux: velours, soie et peau.
Q: Ce week-end, vous exposez votre art Ă une expo Ă quelques pas du Louvre. C’est excitant?
Margot Gunta Delhomme: Je suis bien sĂ»r trĂšs contente d’exposer dans un endroit si prestigieux. Imaginez que ma version de La Joconde sera affichĂ©e Ă quelques mĂštres de l’originale de LĂ©onard de Vinci. Ătre entourĂ©e par le travail de tous ces grands artistes rend lâexpĂ©rience unique.
Q: Quel est votre conseil pour les artistes débutants?
Margot Gunta Delhomme: Mon conseil serait de suivre votre intuition et de ne pas écouter les critiques destructrices et négatives. Essayez, explorez, expérimentez, jouez et soyez curieux.
Pour voir plus d’Ćuvres de cette artiste, suivez Margot Gunta Delhomme:
Merci! Thank you!
BPK
What an interesting post, thank-you for sharing. I love that you write bilingually as well. Such a great resource.
Thank you, Helen! This was my first foray into a bilingual post. I had help from a native French speaker to correct my errors. đ
This looks like it was so much fun! I’m definitely going to check her out on IG now. đ
It was amazing! You will love her art.
I really enjoyed this insight into a new artist for me. I love the idea of collage art ~ some lovely ones shown in this post đđ
Thank you, Helen. I love collage art as well. What I love about this artist the most is the vivid use of colour.
How cool that you were able to go and meet her!
Thanks, Emma! Yes, it was quite a lovely adventure. đ