Naïma's Art Journey
I was 11 when I first discovered the house and gardens of Claude Monet, near Paris. That school trip opened a new world for me , a quiet awe before a place where art and nature became one.
As a child, I often felt confined and disconnected from myself. Growing up in an environment where I didn’t feel free to fully express who I was, I found refuge in nature. It was there, among animals, trees, and open landscapes, that I first experienced a sense of peace, beauty, and freedom.
From an early age, the desire to become an artist was present. Yet the path unfolded slowly, through time, life experiences, and a deep inner transformation.
I often describe this journey as that of a lotus flower... a gradual, almost invisible unfolding after years of searching. Everything was already there, waiting to emerge.
Today, painting is at the heart of my life. It has become a space of exploration, a way to reconnect with what is essential.
Through my work, I create a universe inspired by the feminine and the natural world... a place where strength meets softness, and where freedom can be felt.
Each painting is an invitation to reconnect with a more instinctive and sensitive part of oneself, what I call “the wild, remembered.”
A Turning Point
After more than a decade working as a graphic designer and exploring the world, a shift naturally emerged.
In 2020, I chose to fully dedicate myself to painting ... not as a possibility, but as a path. A return to something essential that had always been present.
I deepened my practice through formal study, exploring oil painting, acrylics, drawing, and mixed media. This period became a space of discipline and refinement, allowing my visual language to take shape.
Since then, my practice has become more consistent than ever.
I have developed a distinctive style, blending feminine portraits with romantic and contemplative landscapes, inspired by my connection to nature ... both inner and wild.
My work continues to evolve through this balance between intuition and mastery, where each painting becomes part of an ongoing exploration.
My Creative Process
Each painting begins as a dialogue between instinct and intention.
The first phase is raw and intuitive, almost wild. I build abstract backgrounds using acrylic inks, charcoal, and sometimes organic elements such as leaves or flowers.
I also incorporate fragments of paper and text through collage, creating layers of memory and texture within the work.
This stage is guided by movement and feeling, allowing the composition to emerge freely, without control.
From this space, the subject takes form. Feminine figures or animals appear, grounded within the energy of the background.
I then work primarily with oil paint, developing depth, light, and subtle details.
Occasionally, I incorporate oil pastels or water-soluble pastels to enrich the textures and bring softness or intensity to certain areas.
Built in layers, my paintings balance spontaneity and precision.
They invite the viewer to come closer ... to discover the textures, the hidden elements, and the quiet dialogue between the visible and the unseen.
A connection through Art
Each work is conceived as an intimate space, where anyone can project their own story, emotions, and memories.
Over time, I’ve come to understand that this silent connection between a painting and the viewer lies at the heart of my work.
It is in this resonance, often hard to explain, that the artwork truly finds its place.
Some paintings are not chosen... they are recognized.
Fine materials and supports used in my artworks
I am very sensitive to the environnement and when I started oil painting, my first concern what the products I was going to use. I wanted to find paints and solvent that are not harmful for the biodiversity. And I was happy to find these amazing and high quality brands:
Charvin Arts - Fine Oils - Paris, FRANCE
Gamblin Galkyd Lite
Gamblin Solvent-Free Artists Colors Painting - Oregon, USA
ROBERSON : Solvent Orange studio safe - UK
Eco House Damar Varnish 100% naturel - USA
Canvas 100% linen or cotton - handmade in France by Master Toiles