AT HOME with Marie Bodin
Can you tell me a little about you and your art?
Hello,
My name is Marie, I am 31 years old and I grew up in Paris where I currently live.
I studied digital marketing and started working in the art industry, doing communication for art galleries or artists. It's only at the age of 25 that I started to draw and paint.
It took me some time to figure out what I wanted to paint and to start understanding how painting works. For the past few years I've been painting still life.
It's often the same patterns that come back. I work mostly on the colors, and the formats.
When do you feel the most inspired / creative?
Since I like to paint still lifes, I feel very inspired by my travels and also by food. When I'm having dinner at a restaurant or at a friend's.
I love a beautiful table with lots of colors and candles. And I'm trying to incorporate this moment into my paintings. I am also inspired by artists that I can see in museums or discover in galleries or even on social media.
Discovering new techniques also stimulates me a lot.
When you’re in a creative rut, how do you tap back in?
When I lack inspiration I try to take a step back from the situation. Sometimes I may not paint for a few weeks. So I read, I cook, I see my friends. And very often seeing exhibitions motivates me to run back to painting.
How long have you been living in your current space?
I moved into this apartment 2 years ago, right after the lockdown.
It was very strange because the first few months I lived here the restaurants/bar were closed and the streets were empty. It took me a long time to really get to know my neighborhood, to see how lively and warm it is.
What’s your favorite part of your apartment?
I would say the living room. That's where I paint.
Describe your dream dinner party: what would be on the table and who would be sitting there?
I love Mediterranean food. With lots of vegetables and olive oil. I love small plates and sharing them. As for the guests I would say my friends and my boyfriend. It is with them that I spend the best moments.
Take me through a typical day in your life:
I am the digital marketing director of a publishing house, so during the week I wake up at 8:00 am, have coffee, then jump on my bike to go to my office in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. At noon or in the evening if I have a little time I do some drawings or work on some paintings in progress.
I'm more creative during the week-end. I wake up quietly: coffee in bed with a good book. Then I paint all morning. I'm having lunch with my boyfriend and then I go back to work until 6pm (or until my arm hurts ahah) and then I go out for some fresh air, a nice dinner, a drink...
Favorite products:
I love Moleskin notebooks for drawing. I alway have one with me
This lip oil from Clarins is amazing !
I doesn't make your lips stick, and the colors are so natural.
I love the French pharmacy, and I use this cream everyday. It make your skin so smooth and hydrated.
I discovered this German brand recently: Kess Berlin, and I'm obsessed with their blush/highlighter combo.
I'm a huge fan of Typology. They make amazing products with only a few ingredients. I've been using this eyes oil for years now and it just feel so good
Something you’d like to learn:
I love learning new painting techniques. This summer I took up watercolor more seriously and not only do I love it but it has a great influence on my acrylic paintings.
I would love to learn spray painting.
And knitting ahaha
What’s your sign?
Sun : Sagittarius
Moon : Aquarius
Advice for living a creative life:
Creativity is very personal. From one person to another this feeling of creativity can be very different. So I think the main thing is to do what you love and to feel inspired by your own life and the discoveries you can make.
Favorite books
Ulysses by James Joyce
Ask the Dust by John Fante
Love by Angela Carter
Where can people find you?
