If you know about my art journey, you know that I was born in Normandie, France...
Growing up close to Paris and Giverny especially, I got to visit Claude Monet's house and garden at a young age among other beautiful places rich in art history and inspiration for my wandering young mind.
I was 11 when with my school we did a cultural trip to Paris. We visited le Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and to my surprise back then the enchanting house and garden of Claude Monet.
I was already creating art, sketching at my age and visiting this artist's house was truly life changing for me. I was mesmerized by the whimsical art he created. I think what stroke me back then was the colors of his art and the beauty of his garden full of flowers everywhere.
These images stayed in my head ever since, I remember walking in his house and looking at everything with care. My childhood was not easy. My home was not a happy home and it was soul nourishing to visit this place and have a moment away from home.
Just being in that environment made me realize how nature is essential for our well-being, but art as much. It gave me dreams and hope. It made me want to become a painter.
I also learnt what impressionism was, and learnt about art history.
Impressionism is translating the light on the canvas in the present moment.
This movement started when it was actually possible to carry paint outdoor and create art in plein air. But most of all, it was a way to break the rules of art, reinvent it in a way...by being more free and simply follow one's heart. Art should always be free and artist should create along their own spirit and energy. Impressionism is to me a signature of the wild artist.
That's why Impressionist artists are the most authentic and genuine ones to me and they were a symbol of freedom. Painting what they wanted even if it was not the trend and what it was asked to paint to actually get paid and get commissions.
They were all rejected from the Salon* in Paris but it never stopped them to keep painting what resonated with their hearts.
It spoke to me in so many ways, first the beauty of light, what it represents...and to try to bring it on the canvas right away, it was a kind of art that I think was so poetic and natural.
I love how the sky or the ocean is changing through the hours, just like our emotions and our being. Painting nature is a reminder to me that everything is temporary and we must enjoy life right now.
So, much later in my life, when I decided it was time to face my fears of failure, not being good enough, talented enough... and everything that was blocking me from becoming that artist I dreamt to be since so long... One day, I bought just lots of good acrylic paint and canvasses and I started to paint what I loved. (read my full story here)
My first experiment was painting a few of Monet's waterlilies artworks. I wanted to see if I could reproduce his art in my own way. I didn't want to learn from anyone. I wanted my first brushstrokes to come from myself, my own way of laying paint on a canvas.
I was SO happy with how it made me feel to paint and also the result gave me hope. It was a true illumination for me that moment.
From that day I never stopped painting, learning and evolving in my own way. Always following my heart and believing in myself.
I have visited Monet's home again a few years ago and it was still so beautiful and inspiring.
Impressionism is and always be a part of me and my art. I want my art to be hopeful and to reflect the light we have inside. But I also want it to be full of joy with vibrant and beautiful colors that will give you energy and inspiration in your life.
Naïma M.
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