Written by My name is Nelly, and I live in Lyon, France. I am a happy mother of twins girls and we share our life with my Antoine and our beloved dog and cat.
When Charlie contacted me to be part of Doodlewash and asked me to tell a little about me, I told myself it could be a good exercise to do, because I was not sure to have so much to tell. So let’s try!
First of all, creation is part of my life for almost everything. I used to make “crasy lamps” to decorate kids rooms. I’ve been painting now for 7 years, but I was thinking about it for a long time. I spent one year in French Polynesia, 20 years ago, and I was fascinated by this book called Tahiti Sketchbook from Jacques Boullaire. I felt in love with his sketches, colors and little notes to explain the context. I was thinking I would love to be able to do that too.
I began with sketches and, several times, participated in sketchcrawls. I met a lot of people with the same passion and I could see different ways to work. Flickr and Pinterest are also a very good source of inspiration for me.
The academic approach is good, of course, but does not fit me. It’s so much fun to try by yourself and mix what you want to. I add glitter almost all the time in my paintings and you know what, it works (from my point of view). Too girly? Probably, but at least everybody and everything shines a little in this home!
Watercolor became my favorite medium when I decided to stop trying to control it! It ‘s nice to realize that an unexpected splash can be a good surprise (sometimes!).
« To let it down » ( le lâcher prise in French ) that is something that I ‘m trying to learn with watercolor! Not easy, I know, but when I try to do something too nicely, it is not good!
This pressure to have a nice painting… Hmmm… my best shots are probably when I’m not trying to but when I’m “just practicing”.
I love painting people, silhouettes, not portraits (the pressure remember!). My romantic side brings me to making illustrations for wedding invitations, and it’s exciting to be part of these wedding projects each time. I paint flowers too, still romantic. I would love to improve myself painting urban landscapes and I’m working on it!
To finish, I found this English artist My Dog Sighs who gave his art away for free. I found this concept so great that every friday (#fridayfreeart ) now I leave a little painting somewhere in the city hoping it will find a nice owner ready to shine a little…
Nelly Longavesne
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Fabulous spirit of freedom and directness here that I really like – off now to check out the links! Thanks for sharing your work Nelly and to Charlie for the introduction!
Love the spirit of your art Nelly!
love it, and beautiful picture
lovely freedom in your work Nelly, and bravo for adding glitter, who can resist some sparkle!
Thanks a lot for your nice comments, it means a lot to me ★
Your art work is fantastic! I love how loose and playful and free it is. There is real energy in your brush strokes too. When you write you add glitter to your work, do you mean glitter paint or actual glitter?
Hi laura,
thank you for you sweet comment and interest.
I actually use real glitter (kind of powder), because it is fixed in the water while the painting is drying. But i have to say, that i recently discover a gold metalic watercolor that i m going to love for sure!!
Just try!
Thank you for taking time to respond.
Love your style, Nelly! Such a nice energy! Awesome idea about glitter, now I want to try it 🙂 Love the free art idea as well. Thank you for sharing your story!
Lovely loose and animated work, Nelly! Will follow you on Instagram 💕💕
LOVE your people, Nelly! They have real style and joie de vivre! MOST inspirational! Yes yes yes, forget any pressure and keep doing what you’re doing… and how you’re doing it — it’s wonderful! As is your Friday gift idea — wish I were in Lyon to find one! 😉
Nelly, I’m awed by your art. It’s so active and expressive, as if your creative muse can’t wait to get out and see the world. So loose, so free, so exciting – absolutely a delight. And what a wonderful impulse – to leave a tiny random painting for someone else to find and love. That’s true giving of the heart.
I’ve been following you on Flickr for a while and I recognize your people whenever I see them. You have a very unique style that is very inspiring.
I too like to draw/paint people, I hope some day I can dedicate my time for art.
Thank you for sharing your story!
Thank you Fedl, so you are one of my motor!
Positive reviews on flickr helped me to go on painting.
i understand your concern, i try to dedicate my time for art too and it’s not easy everyday but meeting supportive people like you or Charlie is so inspiring and motivating.
Contact me on Flickr so that i can see your work! Bye.
thank you for sharing, I love the idea of free Friday art – hope to do this someday!
Thanks again for your support.
Just love the idea of leaving little paintings to find. Very generous spirited.
Love, love, love your art! Very playful & fetching!
Nelly, I love your loose, sparkly style! You’re very generous to leave your art for others to find. I’ve heard that called RAK for Random Acts of Kindness.
Love your creativity. So free and easy. Thanks for sharing your story.
Love your story and the freedom of your art and that you leave a piece out there free.