10 Questions with Michel Jegerlehner

Michel Jegerlehner, a multifaceted artist, navigates through the visual arts, mixing precise technique and pure intuition. From advertising illustration to tattoo art to photography, his eclectic career has led him to develop an artistic vision where graphic detail meets boundless creativity.

In 1987, he founded his own company specializing in illustration and photo retouching.
Alongside his work as an illustrator, Michel Jegerlehner launched into the art of tattooing, winning numerous awards at conventions. His creations on the skin have been featured in specialized magazines and have been published in a book dedicated to tattoos under the direction of renowned fantasy artist Anne Stokes.

These various enriching experiences have allowed him to refine his own artistic language. As a contemporary artist, his graphic style, colorful and precise, has earned him participation in collective and individual exhibitions.

Michel Jegerlehner continues to explore the multiple facets of his art, constantly pushing the boundaries of his creativity and sharing his passion with an ever-widening audience.

www.art-mj.com | @m.jegerlehner

ARTIST STATEMENT

Michel Jegerlehner’s inspiration comes from a multitude of observations, from architectural forms to reflections captured on glass. Every detail of his environment becomes a source of inspiration for his works.

Michel expresses himself primarily through painting, using acrylics and markers to highlight the sharpness of contours and the precision of forms. His creative process is constantly evolving, driven by a constant quest for new styles and techniques. What fascinates him is the ability to communicate emotions through forms that are both simplified and precise while exploring the vast possibilities of contemporary graphic art.

At the heart of his work are vibrant colors and marked contrasts. He enjoys playing with shadows and light to compose dynamic works. His modern and graphic style is distinguished by the use of geometric shapes and bold color palettes.

A passionate artist, when Michel paints, he forgets time.

INTERVIEW

First of all, could you tell us about your background and the evolution of your career, from advertising illustration to tattoo art and contemporary painting?

My artistic journey began at a very young age, when I would spend hours drawing animals and characters with a graphite pencil. At 15, I started training in photogravure, a fascinating profession where images are captured on sensitive surfaces through light. After four years, I obtained my certification, and this first step laid the foundation for my artistic work.
At 30, I opened my own business specializing in illustration and photo retouching, working mainly for advertising agencies by creating illustrations with an airbrush and a brush. At the time, Photoshop didn't exist, and all retouching was done manually, which honed my eye for detail and precision.
I was then drawn to tattoo art, and this new activity enriched my practice by exposing me to a wide variety of styles, from tribal to Japanese tattooing, as well as realism. Each client brought a personal request with unique challenges, teaching me the importance of listening to the desires of the people I tattooed.

What drove you to pursue a career in art, and what do you wish you had known before starting out?

Art has always been a way for me to express myself and give shape to my ideas and emotions. It wasn't so much a thoughtful choice as a natural path. I followed this calling because the act of creating gives me deep satisfaction and a sense of freedom. What motivated me to make it my career was the idea that art can communicate universally and transcend words.
If I had known before starting that art is a path in constant metamorphosis, I would have liked to know that evolution and experimentation are essential and that we build ourselves along the way, piece by piece. It is often by confronting the gaze of others that we find our true style.

You have worked in different artistic mediums. How do these various forms of expression influence each other in your work?

Each medium I work with influences the others in a subtle but significant way. Photogravure taught me the rigor of detail and light, which comes through in my paintings. Airbrushing gave me freedom in using colors and textures while tattooing taught me to be flexible and to respond to specific requests. These experiences have allowed me to refine my ability to capture light, texture, and shapes in a personal way, whether on canvas or on the skin.

Your work is known for its precise details and bold use of color. What is your creative process when you start a new piece?

My creative process always starts with a pencil sketch. This is when the piece takes shape in my mind. I then refine the sketch with precision before tracing the final lines onto the canvas. The choice of colors depends a lot on the subject, but I also let myself be guided by emotion and the evolution of the work. Sometimes, I change the color palette along the wayif I feel the depth or contrast isn't sufficient. The finishing touches, often done with markers, are essential to achieving the sharpness and precision I seek.

Architecture and reflections are a big part of your inspiration. How do you incorporate these elements into your visual art?

I'm fascinated by architectural forms and the reflections found in materials like glass, metal, or water. I love observing how light interacts with these surfaces, creating strong contrasts and shadow play. In my work, I often incorporate these elements by simplifying the shapes and reducing them to clear, almost abstract geometries. It's this tension between realism and abstraction that allows me to explore new visual expressions.

Your pieces often feature geometric shapes and strong contrasts. How do you decide on the composition and color palette for each work?

I generally start by thinking about the structure of the piece, imagining how the shapes can come together to create visual harmony. Geometric forms allow me to organize space in a balanced way while creating dynamic tension. As for the color, it is chosen based on the emotion I want to convey. I sometimes change direction along the way, but I always seek a balance between the precision of the forms and the intensity of the colors.

You have participated in numerous exhibitions, both collective and solo. How do you think your work has evolved over time, and what challenges have driven you to create?

My exhibitions, whether collective or solo, have allowed me to step back and experiment with new styles. My art has evolved significantly: I started with almost pure realism before moving towards more geometric and streamlined forms. This evolution happened naturally, but each exhibition pushed me to think of new ways to present my work. Challenges are a constant source of motivation for me.

Your artistic journey has led you through many fields. Is there a specific medium or technique you are excited to explore further in the future?

Recently, I've been working on 3D pieces using materials like foam board and polystyrene. This gives me a new perspective on my creations, playing with volumes and angles of view. In the future, I'd like to delve deeper into this three-dimensional approach with techniques like papier-mâché and other sculptural forms. It enriches my vision and opens me to new ways of creating.

What upcoming projects or exhibitions are you excited about, and what new directions or themes do you wish to explore in your work?

I'm currently working on several pieces for exhibitions in Switzerland and abroad. What excites me is exploring increasingly geometric concepts and integrating 3D techniques. These new projects are opportunities for me to push my creative limits, play more with shapes and volumes, and innovate in my approaches.

Finally, where do you see yourself and your work in five years?

In five years, I see myself exhibiting my works in international galleries while continuing to explore new ideas and techniques. My goal is to create captivating works that blend geometry, light, and color to reach an ever-wider audience. I want my art to keep evolving, pushing the boundaries of creativity while preserving the passion and enthusiasm that inspire me every day.

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.