10 Questions with Louise De Buck

Louise De Buck, based in Brussels, finds her inspiration in post-apocalyptic films from the 80s and 90s and in horror and mysterious movies soundtracks. This component is evident in De Buck’s works, which often depict female subjects mostly represented naked and with intriguing and mysterious looks. The female figures that Louise De Buck depicts reflect her personality and her image, almost as if they were all self-portraits that, piece by piece, reveal something of her essence.

www.louisedebuck.com | @louise_debuck

ARTIST STATEMENT

Louise De buck is a lover of images and sound experiences; this curiosity has always been in her, and has shaped her into who she is from childhood to now. She continuously explores textures in her paintings with acrylics and oils.

The story she's trying to tell through her paintings has many layers; old school movies, B movies, and simple memories of happy or sad moments of her life. She is passionate about expressing her feminism and vision of injustice for women in this world in her very own way. What she enjoys the most is painting a scene that puts women in all their naked glory and beauty. And express her power and feminism that way, knowing it's very unconventional.

Her friends' impact on her life is the foundation of her inspiration and vital to her well-being as an artist and human being, as well as the traveling adventures that help her grow into who she is.

Party’s over, Oil on canvas, 50x70 cm, 2022 © Louise De Buck

INTERVIEW

First of all, introduce yourself to our readers. What is your artistic background, and how did you start experimenting with images?

I started to paint at "beaux art" school in Brussels, and then I did a video animation bachelor's. I did a lot of other jobs in music and events to finally, three years ago, start my journey in figurative painting.

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

I practice this art because it is the only activity that totally channels my mental and physical energy. Painting has soothing and therapeutic virtues for me; it allows me to pass on messages to transmit emotion. It is also very fulfilling to see the outcome of an idea in pictorial results, to be able to tell a story in an image, to show the interpretation of reality in a painting. I find it very poetic.

How would you define yourself as an artist?

I would humbly say that I am a contemporary figurative artist and that my art is quite narrative.

Modern Love, Oil on canvas, 50x70 cm, 2021 © Louise De Buck

The spirit of the witch and the king of the forest, Oil on canvas, 50x70 cm, 2022 © Louise De Buck

Can you tell us about the process of creating your work?

For creating my images, I generally think about it for a few days, then I realize a collage, an assembly of images. Before I start to paint on the canvas, I think about a series, making 2 or 3 of them. I recently started painting with oil-based paint, so there are more layers. However, I always take the same steps in my creations to tell a fragment of history, a little like the photo novels.

What themes do you pursue?

I use pretty much everything that surrounds me sometimes, I lean more towards surrealist themes closer to dreams. At other times, I am in more rational periods of my life, so I create more realistic paintings about everyday life, of simple things. But there is usually always a human side shown or suggested.

In your statement, you quote B movies as your source of inspiration. How do you incorporate them in your work?

It'sIt's something that inspires me in a general way for my characters, their expressions, the settings, the facial expressions, the scene of the paintings.

Le quotidien, Oil on canvas, 50x70 cm, 2021 © Louise De Buck

What'sWhat's the essential element in your art?

I would say that the most obvious is the resemblance between my female characters and me, but it is not voluntary. I don't try to make self-portraits—relationships between males and females and the complexity of the human in general.

Do you find that the shift to digital exhibitions and art fairs has helped you promote your work?

Yes, it brings more visibility, and it was useful during periods of confinement. However, I do prefer the real exhibitions where you can really meet people and connect.

What do you think about the art community and market?

I think that today we really have to sort out the dubious proposals where it is expected from the artist to pay to expose. If it is not within the framework of an art fair, I do not find this new process good because if the gallery receives money from the artist, they don't fight to sell the work. Therefore it is necessary to select what you want to participate in. Otherwise, generally speaking, it's a super vast and international world in which I see a lot of incredible artists, and with social networks, you can connect with people from all over the world, which is amazing!

Finally, any projects you are looking forward to for this year?

Yes, I am participating in a group show with the online gallery Artistellar called Domestic animals. It starts on February 24th, and then I will participate in the international exhibition at the Cica museum in South Korea and a group exhibition in Australia at Karrengallery.

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