Amylee and the Art of Fashion

Inspired by great fashion designers, Pop Art and the changing seasons, she creates paintings full of colour and life. French Amylee is an artist of her own.

W-WomenGlobally: What is your activity about?

Emilie Garcia – ‘Amylee’, painter and art designer: I’m an Art Designer, I do paintings and I’m inspired by Pop & Mode. As a stylist, I work regarding the seasons. I usually create two collections per year : in summer, the colors are vivid and acid, and during the winter, they’re usually darker. My paintings are divided in two parts : a patterned background and a central character.
Most of my patterns are made using graphics software. I take retro patterns which I redraw or slightly adapt. After having pasted the patterns on the canvas, I draw my character with acrylic paint. I play with the colors of the paintings in order to create reliefs on the canvas, and also to give texture to united colors. Sometimes I stick rhinestones, ribbons, sequins to give light to my creation. All my paintings are entirely handmade and unique.

W-WG: How did you start your professional way, how did you become a painter?

Amylee: I have been painting for a long time now, since I learnt it during my studies in applied and plastic arts. But it was after a long unemployment period that I started painting, to get perhaps money from my artwork ! Thereafter, I contacted galleries that have agreed to show my artwork in their showroom! For over a year it became a full time job. And today, I work for galleries and exhibitions in hotels and restaurants.

W-WG: What is your background, professional experience, education?

Amylee: I began my artist career with applied arts studies in the south of France (Nimes and Toulouse). For 2 years, I was employed in Nelly Rodi’s trend. There, I acquired taste for trends and fashion. Rich in this experience, I immersed in the design and decoration for 1 year, from what I have learnt the basics and tricks to better appreciate tapestry and combinations of materials. 

W-WG: where do you sell and present your works? Locally or internationally?

Amylee: You can find the most of my artwork on my art blog www.amylee.fr and on my website www.amyleeartdesign.com. They can also purchase my paintings in Paris, at the Art Generation Gallery
www.artgeneration.fr and in the Habitat Stores www.habitat.co.uk I had few proposals for exhibitions in another country, but it is difficult for different reasons (expedition, customs, payment security and gallery’s commissions !)

W-WG: What is your design alike? who is your target group? your vision?

Amylee: There are no specific people who buy my work, but I think they have some attract with Pop culture and Fashion. I imagine they like bright colors and all-over patterns. My universe is quite feminine but men are also attracted to my paintings. I created on facebook Fashion Art Group, which relates all my artwork and exhibitions to people who like my universe. At my exhibitions in restaurant, hotels
or galleries, I noticed that people who gloze at my artwork have a spontaneous smile and I take it really as the most beautiful compliment.

W-WG: do you have some leading topics in your art? What or who is your source of inspiration?

Amylee: My main topics are: portraits, flowered patterns and baroque style are often in my paintings. My biggest influences are definitely fashion shows (Galliano, Lacroix, and Kenzo inspire a lot of my work), contemporary graphics, and designs from fabrics or wallpapers.

W-WG: what are your short- and long term plans? where do you think you will be (privately and professionally) in 5 years from now?

Amylee: I would like to export my artwork in foreign countries or to mix it with another artist to realize a special exhibition. Otherwise, my wildest dream would be to achieve a show with my pictures for a fashion designer or design a showcase for a major brand.

In 5 years, I hope that I will always have a job that I like, I’ll be healthy and that the people I love are with me, have a financial stability and many projects in my head !