Florent Stosskopf

Tell us about your journey, how did you develop an interest in painting?

I've been painting and drawing since childhood; it's something deeply ingrained in me. I've always been drawn to creation. I practiced graffiti for 12 years during my teens, which later led me to take an interest in art in general. I transitioned to painting on canvas around 2007, and I continue to do so today. I also studied graphic design, where I used software like Photoshop and Illustrator, which also assists me in my work.

What attracts you to painting? Why do you create?

Freedom, being able to convey one's vision of life, emotions through painting.

How would you describe your art?

It's a blend of traditional art themes (portraits, landscapes, interiors, still lifes...) with contemporary colors and a somewhat naive drawing style.

What are your influences, inspirations?

I love all painting movements, from abstraction to figuration. But I would say my preferences range from Henri Matisse, Gauguin, or Picasso to contemporary artists like Jonas Wood, Andy Dixon, Hilary Pecis, or Tal'R, among many others.

What feelings or emotions do you try to convey in your works?

I paint the world as I imagine it, in the manner of Fauvism; I exaggerate colors using bold shades. If I see hints of red in a tree, I'll paint it all in red.

What is your creative process like?

I use Photoshop a lot to create my sketches. I often start with a collage of several elements that can come from images found online, my own drawings, scanned papers... I save a lot of images; I don't neglect anything; everything is a source of inspiration for me. Then I redraw over them, and the colors come gradually.

What techniques do you use?

I paint with acrylics, oils, airbrush, and a bit of spray paint. But I might also employ techniques like oil pastels, collage, etc.

What colors dominate your creations? And why?

They often reflect periods; for my last exhibition, I used a lot of pink and blue, but for the next one, it could be red or brown. I love all colors.

What do you think is the role of an artist?

To make people dream, to evoke emotions in them. I'm usually surprised when people send me messages because each person sees their experiences or memories through a particular painting or color. Every viewer has their own interpretation of my works.

Today, where do you want your work to go?

I always try to push the boundaries of painting, in technique, the size of the works, the details. Each canvas is an experiment that leads to another.

What is your way of life?

I lead a simple life, almost monastic when I work. I'm alone for 9 hours a day in front of my canvases; I listen to music and podcasts. One must enjoy solitude in a certain way. The rest of the time, I take care of my son and spend time with my family and friends. I also spend a lot of time in nature.

What's your relationship with clothing? How do you dress?

I like comfortable, durable, timeless clothes. All workwear inspires me, as do beautiful fabrics. I dress rather modestly.

Have you ever drawn or painted clothes in your work? Because there seems to be a textile element in some of your paintings?

Contrary to my clothing style, I love painting patterned, floral, vintage, geometric clothes. It's an inheritance from Henri Matisse; I appreciate decorative elements.