Discover the contemporary work of Valérie Lamarre

À eighteen years old, I met the love of my life, Philippe Milbergue, writer, musician, poet... He made me understand that I had no limits other than those I imposed on myself. We carried out à many projects together: associations, companies, publishing houses, magazines, exhibitions, sites... as well as two wonderful daughters. With him, I was layout designer, proofreader, illustrator, designer.

Then, I visited; the exhibition of a sculptor, Marc Touret, whose work I adored. work. He ran a workshop, I signed up and stayed there for six years. I learned sculpture there (modelling, wood, stone, bronze, patina) but also drawing and modeling locally. based on live models. Marc Touret encouraged me to do so. fly with my own wings, exhibit my sculptures, leave the cozy nest of the workshop and start teach. Like him, I wanted to share. Me too. I created my association and opened a sculpture workshop in Val Fourré Mantes-la-Jolie which I directed and lively for several years.

A common relationship introduced me to a head of the Youth Judicial Prevention department. He ran a structure for minors and was looking for a sculpture worker to work with young people. He trained me to these interventions, supervise with educators, work with these young people at odds with school and society. I also worked in remand centers, juvenile prisons, relay classes, and hostels, for twenty years. I loved it ça.

À Based on the dozen years of interventions carried out in Relay Classes, with Nathalie Lelouey (PJJ educator) and Philippe Jubin (SEGPA director and history teacher) we wrote a book on our experiences. ;crossed experiences (editions of a – 2017).

For around twenty years, I led these two careers in parallel: sculptor/drawer/pastellist and speaker. I also, regularly, illustrated poetry books and art books (ink or acrylic on paper or canvas).

I like to continue to do so. learn and it was quite natural that I came to acrylic paint. Since 2018, I have happily devoted myself exclusively to it and I sell my paintings, notably, in Great Britain, Germany, the United States – and of course in France.

At the beginning, there was a taste for drawing, the flexibility of charcoal, the tenderness of pastels. Then, there was the clash of three dimensions with sculpture, the pleasure of materials, the sensuality of nature. of the modeling, the precision of the size of the stone, the warmth of the wood. Finally, the discovery of acrylic, an open door to the infinite universe of painting, allowed me to play with the magic of shapes, materials and colors.

Art is essential. I never stopped to draw, paint or model. À like these artists who inspired me; With so many emotions, I too wanted to have this immense happiness of creating throughout my life. Doing what you love is a luxury. I have this chance.

Art is emotions. Mastery of techniques is necessary for me. Then, I forget them and let myself be carried away by the pleasure of creation. Thus, the abundance of colors, the balance of shapes and materials, resonate with an imagination fueled by by my joys, my doubts, my revolts, my loves, my questions...

Art ismagical. I like to use various tools: knives, brushes, sponges, spatulas. I sometimes want textures or washes, to mix the paint on the white canvas or to draw before applying the colors. I like warm tones but I also like to work with cool colors. I play with stencils, inks and shapes. I mainly do abstract work, for its freedom, its limitless possibilities, but I sometimes also want to return to portraits. My paintings are therefore classified by series and I do not deny myself any inspiration.

Art is shared. The emotions felt during the creation must resonate with the emotions of the public, amateur, collector or stroller. I like to observe my visitors, listen to them, let them discover according to their experiences, that they take what they want to take, that they feel without constraint.