Spotlight
Behind the Canvas of Audrey-Ève Goulet
5.20.22
Interview: Ajay Woolery
Media: Audrey-Ève Goulet
“Organic” is the perfect word to describe Audrey-Ève Goulet’s journey as an artist. Growing up she recalls many visits to museums with family and time spent creating and learning more about the world of art and design. After being commissioned by a friend who recognised her talent, one painting turned into a another and she has since continued painting and growing a community around her work.
AW:
Tell me more about yourself..
AEG: My name is Audrey-Ève and I am a 21 year old artist from Montreal. I have done a lot of different art in my life; I started playing guitar when I was 9. Later on, I started doing photography and graphic design. A few years ago, I started painting. It became quickly clear that painting was the medium by which I could really express myself and put together all of my previous experiences.
AW:
You primarily create abstract works, what would you say has led you to choose this particular style?
AEG: Abstract art is a way for me to really let my imagination run free. I have been painting for a few years now and I am still experimenting with many styles, but I feel like I am drawn to abstract the most. I find it fascinating how you can start with only a blank canvas, simple colors and your own imagination and create a complete artworks with complex movements.
AW:
How do you source your subject matter, and what things inspire your work?
AEG: Since I have touched many forms of art, my main source of inspiration is other mediums. I get inspired by the immaterial world: The poetry of words, the melody of a song, the notes played on a piano and more. Also, I like to go on walks and look at everything around me with an artistic point of view. I will look at the details in a tree, the color arrangement of a house, etc.
Work by: Audrey-Ève Goulet
AW:
People often write off abstract paintings as haphazard, however, in your work you're able to capture form and equip colour in incredibly skillful ways. What's your process as you approach a new piece?
AEG: I usually start a piece with a general idea of what I would like to do. It is usually a mix of colors or a movement that inspires me. However, since my work is mostly intuitive, the piece I am working on changes a lot during the process of painting. Even though I started with an idea of what I would like to accomplish, the painting might change completely, I usually get inspired while making a piece.
AW:
In your bio you share that your art lets you travel between the imaginary and reality, how does this aid your practice?
AEG: I always have a lot of ideas in my head. Every morning, I do my journaling and I have so many ideas in my mind that often I can’t write them all. Painting is a way for me to put all of these ideas at once on a canvas, and try to make sense with it all. There is no barrier when I create.
AW:
You've been painting seriously for only a few years, how has your creativity changed as you've matured as an artist?
AEG: It has only been a few years, I must say that I don’t know if my creativity has changed that much. However, my technique has obviously improved as I learn about art and since I painted a lot. In all honesty, I don’t really want my creativity to change, I still want to be amazed by the world around me, I don’t want to impose limits on my creativity.
Work by: Audrey-Ève Goulet
AW:
Who are some creative individuals you admire?
AEG: My favorite artist right now is Gerhard Richter. I love his techniques, all of his work is spectacular. We’re lucky to have great artists from Quebec, like Riopelle and Marcelle Ferron, two artists that I admire a lot. Some contemporary artists that I love following on Instagram are Matt McCormick and Eser Gündüz. They do completely different work, but I am always fascinated by their pieces. I highly suggest giving a look at their account !
AW:
Does your creative work come easily or do you struggle with your ideas? What obstacles (if any) do you experience when you are creating? If you do face any obstacles, how do you get past them?
AEG: What is hard is to put on a canvas is what I see in my mind. Often, the first few drafts will be far away from what I had in mind and, that can become upsetting at times. However, this is a part of the creative process. You need to have an open mind and try to work with the piece to create something new, something that you didn’t necessarily have in mind at the beginning and try to come up with something even better.
AW:
What does a typical day in your life look like?
AEG: Usually when I wake up, I like to journal or read a book about something creative. Right now, I’m finishing “Show Your Work” by Austin Kleon and I highly recommend it. In the mornings I usually work at home or at a coffee place; I respond to email, work on my newsletter, talk to clients, prepare my exhibitions, etc. I go to the studio in the afternoons and paint for a few hours. I usually work on a few pieces at the same time. If I don’t leave the studio too late, I might go see some friends. I also really enjoy meeting new people, so it’s always a pleasure meeting other artists or clients.
AW:
What advice would you give to another young artist?
Do not try to fit right away into any style of painting because that will constraint your creativity. Have fun experimenting things and don’t pressure yourself if you don’t find your signature right away ! It will come intuitively.