A Quick Peek at What's New with AmyLee

My first interview with the young French painter AmyLee took place in 2008 as she was just beginning her career. I encountered her colorful paintings by means of social media and shared what she was doing here. This past week I reached out to see where her colorful images had propelled her and find she has continued to produce plenty of work in her distinctive style. Here's a snapshot of what's new with AmyLee, eight years down the road.

EN: What attracted you to working in acrylics?

AmyLee: I work quite fast and my technique has to work out as fast as me as well. Acrylic is perfect in that case!

EN: When did you begin making a living as a painter?

AmyLee: I’m a professional visual artist since 2008. You can visit my website www.amylee.paris

EN: How do you decide what you will paint next? Where do your ideas come from?

AmyLee: Ideas come from everywhere: at my studio, in the street, in a book, in a magazine, on TV, on computer…

EN: What is the Paris art scene like in 2016? 

AmyLee: I live near London now. I have more opportunities with UK galleries. You can find the official list of my Galleries at amylee.paris/portrait-painting/location-galleries/

EN: What new things have you learned in the past few years?

AmyLee: To build its own art business is a hard path and passion is the best cheerleader ever!

EN: Have you ever shown your work in the U.S.?

AmyLee: Yes, four years ago in group art show with Robert Lange Studios in Charleston, SC 29401

EN: Any advice for young artists trying to get an art career started?

AmyLee: Don’t be afraid of working and working again, and still working hard on your inspiration and creation but also on the web communication which is a tool very important nowadays.

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Amylee shared this video teaser about her new website:

And a little something more to close....

Meantime, art goes on all around you. Get into it.

Five Minutes with Artist Amylee of Paris

Today's social media is bringing together people from all over the networked universe. Amylee is a French artist who lives and works in Paris, one of the world’s most amazing cities, rich in both history and culture. Born in Nimes in the south of France in 1978, she has used her creativity in the service of industrial design, fashion and lifestyle work with various agencies. In 2007 she had her first exhibition and has worked as a professional full-time artist since that time.

Ennyman: How did you become interested in Art?
Amylee: Art has always been a passion, I began drawing and painting when I was a child.
Graduated from French state university in Applied Arts and Design in 2003, I went to Paris after my studies. I wanted to be a designer like Philippe Starck, Ron Arad or Jaime Hayon (my favorites) but my professional network decided otherwise.

Enny: Who were your early influences?
Amylee: Taking inspiration from fashion shows and contemporary patterns, I credit my influences as the Art Deco painters, French Fauvists, Mucha’s illustrations, Klimt and colors of the Pop artists.

Enny: The women you paint are so colorful. How did you become interested in this subject matter?
Amylee: I love brilliant colors and glam portraits. I became interested in this subject after many years working in and around art, making a living as an advertising designer, graphic designer or fashion and lifestyle coordinator in several agencies.

Enny: What is the medium you are working in? Some of the flowing colors remind me of watercolor or ink.
Amylee: I work in many techniques (acrylic paint and paper collages on canvas).

I like to paint with acrylic because it dries quickly. It allows me to follow my impulses. I use patterns papers to dress up my portraits. My paintings are handmade and unique. No watercolors or inks, just acrylic paint with water and collage patterns.

Enny: What size are the pieces?
Amylee: I love large formats. Often my canvas sizes are 20x40 inches, 20x60 inches and 39x58 inches.

Enny: How does being a younger artist color the way you look at things?
Amylee: I’m 33 year old woman and I live in my time. My paintings are in galleries in both Paris and New York, but I use social networks (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, Linkedin, etc.) to show my work and communicate with my followers or people who love my paintings. I have already had several projects through the web. I like to say that I am a fine artist 2.0

To see and learn more of Amylee and her work:
Blog http://www.amylee.fr
Website http://www.amyleeartdesign.com
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/amylee.theartygirl
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/the_artygirl
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/fashionartBYamylee
Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/amylee_the_artygirl/