" My personal success is when I manage to forget the imposter syndrome and know that I am supported in my artistic journey! "
ANNABELLE MAY
ANNABELLE MAI
illustrator, Colombes (92)
Annabelle tells us how, during lockdown, a hobby quickly turned into a passion: how Annabelle Mai became Papier Dilu.
Tell us your story, how did you find your vocation?
In 2020, I drew a small series in black marker and watercolor, "Confipotes," in which I imagined my friends in their lockdown. This hobby, which I thought was fleeting, ultimately stuck! Without any formal training in drawing or graphic design, I learned by practicing, and above all, by observing.
In 2023, I am continuing with watercolor, markets, and collaborations with other artists and craftspeople, alongside my job as a production manager in the audiovisual industry.
How would you describe your style and your artistic approach in a few words?
All my watercolors are based on photos that I reinterpret. I rely on what my eyes have seen, or the eyes of others! I take many photos of everyday life with my phone, which I later reuse in watercolor. Archives of what I have encountered, transposed onto paper!
What themes or subjects inspire you the most in your work?
Blue inspires me a lot, the sky (especially when crisscrossed by power lines) and the wildlife.
How do you work?
Let the music play!
Do you have a particular technique or specific expertise? Without revealing all your secrets, have you developed your own methods and techniques?
I don't apply any specific technique; I experiment, I delve deeper... There are sometimes failures (or even abandonments), but I am building my method step by step. I have also explored other media and adapted watercolor, notably through my collaboration with Ippyoo, a saddlery and leather goods artisan.
Tell us about your daily life, your constraints, your joys, your successes…
I don't paint every day, but daily, I have ideas that come to me, I prepare sketches for future watercolors, I make lists related to my illustration work, I prepare content for social media, I think about the setup for upcoming markets, about new collaborations...
My constraint is not having a studio, or a closed office where I can focus and create my own little bubble while I work!
What makes me happy, of course, is when clients purchase an illustration, take the time to come say hello at a market, or place a custom order with me.
My personal success is when I manage to forget imposter syndrome and know that I am supported in my artistic endeavor!