saigon french touch, claire pincemin, odyl devaux-zeller, french painters

Born in France in 1964, I only started my interest in art when I was 20. I was then a student in Paris and used to visit many museums. I was already in my 30s when I began to paint. I never stopped since. 

I was living in the South of France. I started painting with a group of amateurs mixed with students in fine arts. We had to paint with real models, it was done fast. Then we had to compare our paintings with all the students. A rewarding time of sharing. I have learned a lot from others.

In 2001, Elliot and Oscar, my treasures, were born.

In 2003, a new chapter of my life began. I arrived in Manila and was awed by the vibrant colors of the city. This inspired me to experiment with colors and techniques, using locally found materials such as sand, stones, fibers, seeds and fabrics.

In 2010, we moved to Ho Chi Minh City. I started to use oil, but I went back to acrylic. It is faster. Vietnam goes very fast, I have to go with the speed of the country. With acrylic, the paint dries quickly, I can use a knife. I like it when there is a thick layer of painting, I like to touch the canvas with my fingers. My paintings are inspired by photographs, usually black and white. I see colors, try to interpret them in a non conventional way. Skin can be purple or green. No matter the color you use, you feel the shape, the vibration of the colors. You forget the color is not the true one.

But what is true?