Eliora Bousquet, a French-listed professional abstract painter and illustrator affiliated with the ‘Maison des Artistes,’ has been creating art since 2009. Born in the picturesque town of Angoulême, France, in 1970, Eliora’s artistic journey is a remarkable odyssey through color, emotion, and the boundless realm of abstract art.
Eliora’s artistic odyssey began at the tender age of seven, where she first dipped her brush into the world of art. Her initial foray was into the realm of figurative subjects, encompassing landscapes, birds, flowers, and portraits. However, as she honed her craft, she found herself disconnecting from these ‘real’ subjects, delving deeper into the realm of abstract expression. Her focus shifted from the precision of brushwork and meticulous rendition of colors to the uncharted territories of imagination, dreams, freedom of expression, and, most importantly, emotion—elements she values above all else.
It was Claude Monet’s Impressionism that provided the bridge for Eliora’s natural transition into abstract painting. Over the years, she delved deeper into the intricacies of symbolic, expressionist, lyrical, and atmospheric abstract art. What truly captivates Eliora about abstraction is its innate ability to assume diverse meanings depending on the observer. This unique phenomenon, often referred to as “scotomization,” allows the mind to perceive what it wishes to see, rendering each artwork a personal and intimate experience. Eliora often remarks that no one remains passive in front of an abstract painting; they either ‘like’ or ‘dislike’ it, but the painting always provokes contemplation, leaving no one indifferent. It is this aspect that fascinates her most about abstract art – its power to compel us to experience a work rather than merely observe it, guiding us to perceive with our hearts and transcending the canvas itself.
Emotion, for Eliora, is the primary wellspring of inspiration. As Paul Cézanne aptly stated, “A work of art that does not originate from emotion cannot be deemed Art.” This quote resonates deeply with Eliora, as she believes that emotion is the life force that breathes vitality into her creations.
Eliora Bousquet’s paintings are an exquisite fusion of pure, vivid, and vibrant colors, characterized by a dynamic sense of movement. Her works showcase a distinct inclination towards the full spectrum of blues and greens, achieved through her relentless experimentation with various painting techniques, including acrylic, ink, and watercolor. Her application of paint varies, sometimes in a single, substantial layer, evident in collections like “Naturessences,” “Evanescence,” “Chromatic Fantasiae,” and “Poetic Fictions.” At other times, her paintings emerge through a sequence of delicate, gossamer-thin layers, as witnessed in “Celestial Visions” and “Renaissance.” The colors in Eliora’s work are never pre-selected; they flow naturally, guided by the emotions she intends to convey, the ambience she aims to establish, or even her state of mind at the inception of her creative process.
In Eliora’s hands, colors are not just pigments but a language unto themselves, each hue possessing its own unique meaning and vibration. She orchestrates her color combinations meticulously, crafting harmony and visual equilibrium in her compositions. Her paramount objective is to move her viewers, to instill in them a sense of wonder at the beauty of our world, all through paintings laden with numerous messages. Symbolism plays a significant role in her artworks, often drawing inspiration from literary sources, particularly 19th-century Romantic Poetry, mythologies, and ancient civilizations.
Eliora’s artistic process is a fascinating journey in itself. She has practiced meditation and creative visualization for many years, immersing herself in poetry and allowing classical or jazz music to envelop her senses for inspiration. Subsequently, she paints swiftly and spontaneously, capturing a photograph of a dream on canvas. While she harbors a clear vision of her artistic intent, she allows her heart and imagination to guide her without imposing control, always prioritizing emotion over technique. In this regard, she posits that she may belong to her works more than they belong to her.
Eliora’s body of work encompasses seven distinct collections, each akin to a trilogy where each piece references and inspires others. Understanding a single artwork often necessitates an exploration of the entire collection, unveiling clues to a captivating puzzle that Eliora occasionally perceives her artworks to be. With over 1,000 artworks to her credit, Eliora Bousquet has been a consistent participant in exhibitions worldwide, totaling over 190. Her artistry extends beyond the canvas, as she has transformed her paintings into a range of home decor products and fashion items, allowing her vision to reach a broader audience.
In a world where art often seeks to capture the tangible, Eliora Bousquet’s work reminds us that true art transcends the physical. Her paintings invite us to explore the boundless realm of emotion and imagination. Through her art, she beckons us to perceive with our hearts, to experience the beauty of the world in a way that is uniquely our own. Paul Cézanne’s words echo through her work, reminding us that emotion is the cornerstone of art, and Eliora Bousquet’s art is a testament to the enduring power of emotion in the world of abstract expression. Her vibrant canvases are not just paintings; they are portals to a world where emotion takes center stage, inviting us to join her on a journey through the ever-evolving landscape of abstract art.
