Today we’d like to introduce you to Arienne Lepretre.
Arienne, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I found my calling when my mother enrolled me in painting classes at the age of 10. We were living in Beirut, Lebanon. The French professor was from the Old school. The smell of turpentine, the oil paints, the easels and canvases all filled a hole in me that I didn’t know I had and ignited my life long passion to be an artist.I was taught how to look, see and how to draw. That is the foundation from which to grow. Learning about light, negative spaces, the drawn line, color theory, etc., are all very important. Painting is my medium. I completed my Diploma at the HFBK in Hamburg, Germany and then my MFA in painting here in Dallas at SMU in 2013.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Art, for me, is an intuitive process, self-determining and autonomous. Currently, I am working on large format paper with different wet media and then draw into it. I use a homemade gypsum gesso which gives the painting a chalky matt finish akin to fresco walls. Using inks, dyes, watercolors and other media I look at nature for inspiration. There are multiple layers in each work where the previous layer shows through. Wet media is somewhat unforgiving in that you cannot paint over it, so each mark is a deliberate act.
Ultimately It really boils down to making beautiful paintings. This works best when I can relax and allow my years of experience take over. The painting will tell me when its “done.”
Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
Being a dedicated artist is a calling. It is usually a solitary occupation mainly because an artist is reaching inward to create. So it is important is to involve yourself with the arts community, go to gallery openings, lectures, have group critiques, enter shows. Very important is to market one’s art strategically; I love social media for that.
Apart from the seemingly obvious advise to have a diligent studio practice, I would advise anyone interested in devoting their life to their art to get a second job skill. Artist, as a profession usually does not pay the bills, so a primary income is crucial.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My work can be seen on my web site at ariennelepretre.com or on my instagram account at https://www.instagram.com/ariennelepretre/
In Dallas I show at the Blueprint Gallery
Contact Info:
- Website: ariennelepretre.com
- Email: ariennel@mac.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariennelepretre/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arienne.lepretre
Image Credit:
Arienne Lepretre and Steve Beasley
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