9 Questions with Dominique Dève

Dominique Dève is a French portrait painter. His expressionist/figurative style allows him to expose in Paris, Zurich, Athens, Los Angeles, New Delhi, Richmond, Sheffield... And to be selected in Art Magazines like Average Arts Magazine, Art Reveal (UK), The Rush (USA).

French artist Dominique Deve possesses the artistic talent to portray human beings as we know them vividly: not shiny, sleek, and perfect in their mental and physical form, but full of emotional frailty and physical flaws. He has a keen eye for the immense diversity of people who surround us and their unique characteristics. Deve's portraits make us wonder who these people are, what has happened to them, and where they come from. We may not know them personally, but we recognize them—an original artist with a deft brush.

French artist Dominique Deve demonstrates excellent creativity and a unique and compelling insight into his human portraits' range of emotions and characteristics. They emerge from within a swirling context of masterful paint strokes that generate movement and mystery, supported by subtle and lifelike colors and shades, such as are part of the real, untidy world. Deve is more adventurous than many artists and sits at the opposite end of bland! His work is intriguing and worth a close look.

www.dominiquedeve.com | @eventuraportrait

INTERVIEW

Why are you an artist, and when did you first become one?

I was born into a family of artists. My mother taught me to draw. I am also a musician, and these two passions have been there since childhood.

What is your personal aim as an artist?

My goal is to produce something real that is sincere.

What most often inspires your portrait's work?

First, it's the expression of the subject that makes me want to work. Then, the different techniques that I use in my work are the means to achieve this expression. If the viewer feels that emotion, then I was successful.

What do you look for when you're looking for something to paint?

I often work in series around a particular technique. To do this, I will look for a subject, a suitable framing. I work from photos (personal or in partnership with photographers). I thus keep a wide range of possibilities at my disposal. 

What artists influence your work most?

In the classics, I like Courbet and Velazquez, which I have studied in more detail. The portraits of Francis Bacon also made a big impression on me.

Can you tell us about the process of creating your work? What is your artistic routine when working?

I like surprises. To get hold of it, I often work in two stages, often as part of a series. First, I prepare my background; they are often abstract with a narrow palette. I like it when you see the actions that I have made. Once this material is made, there is often a while before it is used. Then, if I find a compatible subject, I will draw in charcoal on my background. And then it's painting, always with my reduced palette (sometimes I stop at the drawing phase). This second step is usually quite quick: indeed, I like to work quickly to keep the gesture freshness that suits me.

Do you ever experience creative blocks?

I still have ideas! Using surprise (work in two stages) and varying the series with the numerous techniques that exist stimulate creation. Also, human expression is so rich, feelings so varied that the art of portraiture is inexhaustible.

How have you been so successful with marketing and selling your art during the pandemic time?

Indeed, the current situation means that many exhibitions are canceled or postponed in France. I still have a few orders in progress.

What are you working on now? Anything exciting you can tell us about?

I am currently working in collaboration with another French painter (Gepa). From an abstract culture, he agreed to make some backgrounds (in large format) on which I have already started painting. I thus entrusted to him the first stage of my work. The surprise is still there. The constraint of his palette and his technique forces me to step out of my comfort zone. An exhibition of our work is planned for January 2021.