Delphine Labedan’s sober view on art cuts to the core of expression and creativity in its truest form. We all know that art is inspiring and can also be fun when done right. But this does not mean that art does not deserve integrity and seriousness. We are all acutely aware that some art these days feels lazy and sometimes overly contrived but few of us have the confidence to call this point out. Delphine, on the other hand, stresses the need for personal growth and honesty to self when one dabbles in something as spiritual and subjective as art. She does not have to be blatantly boisterous about her views because her work makes the point in a subtle but very vivid way.
“There is good and bad art these days. There are very good artists today, but also anyone …”
Please tell us a little about yourself – your childhood, siblings, where you grew up, what you liked as a child, strange thoughts as a child/now, unique attributes, where you live now, etc.?
My father was a photographer, my mother was an art teacher and is now a potter. We traveled a lot together and I was always surrounded by art books. I was born and raised in the Pyrenees and I have always liked mountains and remote places. I now live by the sea in Catalonia. I have been teaching art since 2006. I also work as an illustrator for different publishers.
How do you describe your form of art and what tools do you primarily use?
This is a very good question that I usually get asked. It is hard for me to define my art because it is hard for me to label art forms. I can say that my art combines painting, illustration and drawing. I use mixed media (watercolor, pencil, inks) on a special kind of handmade paper which is very important and dear to me. It´s cotton paper made in Catalonia.
What does your art mean to you?
My art is vital to me. I am happy when I am creating. As simple as this.
What is your view/opinion on art world in general these days?
There is good and bad art these days. There are very good artists today, but also anyone can call themselves an artist or a writer or a photographer… these days. In this sense, I am very critical with everyone, starting with myself. This is why I am constantly striving to evolve because I am never completely satisfied with my work. I hope that ten years from now, my work will be different from what I am doing now.
Which artists do you look up to the most?
I love many artists throughout art history, beginning with cave painters. I would mention oriental art, Japanese, Ralph Steadman, Leonardo Da Vinci, Klimt, Picasso,…
Your images are whimsical with a lot of dedication to women and nature as well as showcasing vivid color and liveliness – why are you pulled to create images of this manner?
It is true that I like detail, I like color and my creations are often inspired by photography. But, contrary to what you would expect, the result is usually not realistic at all but rather whimsical. Something that happens to me is that after a period of working with lots of color, I need to go back to black and white for a while and the other way around. This is important for me.
What is the worst critique you have ever received about your work? What is the best compliment that you have received about your work?
People don’t usually elaborate when they don´t like my work. They will just say “I don´t like it”, so this is the worst critique I have ever had. The most recent compliment I’ve had, on the other hand, is “I am fascinated
by your work”.
Do you ever experience deja vu – where are you usually transported to when it happens?
I am sorry, I have never had this experience.
Since Style.No.Chaser is a men’s lifestyle magazine, what attributes/items/clothing /etc. do you think define a man?
I like men who don’t look themselves in the mirror very often. I like a beard on a man. I appreciate inner beauty in any person.
What is your personal life philosophy?
I try to live the present, not in the past or the future. I try to live everyday as if there was no tomorrow. I am very active and I enjoy life. I like waking up in the morning and thinking of all the things I can do today.
What is your favorite color and why?
It is hard for me to pick one color. I like red because, to me, it is the color of life. On the other hand, it is easy for me to say which color I don’t like at all. It’s violet.
Who dead or alive, celebrity or not, artist or not, would you like to go on a two-week road trip with and why?
I would go one week with John Malkovich and one with Ralph Steadman to observe how he paints.
What type of music do you listen to (if at all) when working?
Lately I listen to the radio more than anything. Otherwise, I listen to different types of music. I am a fan of Miles Davis.
How can people learn more about (or buy) your current and upcoming works?
I have recently created my webpage. The online shop is not up to date so people usually email me with questions/inquiries. I also have a lot of followers on Facebook.
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