Interview
Chantelle Foglietta
Chantelle Foglietta is an abstract Artist based in Dorset, UK. Her main works are abstract expressionist using a variety of tools, mediums and techniques. Predominantly self-taught, she has also undertaken artist residency in Florence, Italy, and her work has been selected for exhibition in a number of international art collaboratives.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“Design and creativity have always played an integral part in my life, and I think that natural exposure from drawings, sketches and palettes can influence you even without conscious appreciation for it. In actuality, I didn’t enjoy formal art teaching or lessons at school, they felt very restrictive and formulated, which didn’t feel at all creative or artistic to me! Instead I drew creativity into design and interiors initially, and it was only after years of appreciation of pieces that I had come upon in my life, did I feel bold enough to start painting my own abstract pieces. It started off initially as having a piece, a feeling of warmth, that I wanted to create into physicality. It did not turn out how I expected at all! But the process of it forming and evolving into itself was what I started to love about painting, and it’s how I tend to paint still.”
What inspires you?
“I think it’s emotionally driven at source really, and seeing colour brilliance in nature is also a huge part. I love how colours interact with each other and can bring one another to life, especially with light candescence. It’s like another layer or element to draw you in, to give focus by somehow dispersing it. Most of my pieces have been teased out of a pure sense of something. For me, if I allow myself to experience the emotion, situation, recollection or whatever it may be, in a fullness and acceptance, I can see these swathes of colour or an image of some sort. Not quite like dreaming or remembering, but something similar. It’s almost like synesthesia, but is incorporating all those different elements too. Music is also a huge influence, as music directly alters, shifts or enhances your mood, and only deepens the experience when painting.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“There aren’t any themes per se. Sometimes it’s about using colours, vibrance and light reflection in a way to evoke sentiments, and sometimes to encapsulate it. I suppose in the end, I hope for at least a glimmer of the element to make its way through to capture, to stir, and I hope others enjoy being lost in them.”
“I love how colours interact with each other and can bring one another to life, especially with light candescence.”
How would you describe your work?
“Overall, I could describe my pieces as colourful, dynamic and textured pieces of art, which uses light and contrast to bring depth and dimension. They’re probably best described as abstract expressionism, though sometimes there are impressionist uses of colour too. For me, they’re just a way for emotions to be expressed without form, without figure, for you as the viewer to interpret and also have your own encounter with.”
What process, materials, techniques, etc., do you use to create your artwork?
“The whole painting from start to finish really begins as a concept or general of idea of how it will look and feel, but with each application and session the piece reveals itself, and I work with the sculpting and movement of colours organically. I tend to use large canvases with acrylic paints, and have favourite tools like a large wide flat paintbrush and palette knife, but the more paint that’s applied, and with the finishing touches, the tools I use gradually get smaller. Building layers of paint colours is how I emanate depth, then working in finer detail towards the end of the painting. I also paint with mediums to apply paint like ink in the end stages, as I tend to have script somewhere in all the pieces too. Gold and copper leaf are also favourites of mine to really bring about contrast in material and light. The process is slightly more complex with commission pieces, as I attend the client’s space where they want to hang their painting, to evaluate their interior to produce a palette that will complement and contrast aesthetically, to then begin the process.”
What is your creative process like?
“First and foremost what I’ve learned is that it can’t be forced! Painter’s block is akin to writer’s block, and I’ve found if I’ve allocated time to work on a piece, it invariably results in work I’m not completely happy with and have to rework the art. So, with that in mind, I think staying creative is a way of being rather than an applied process, expanding your own individual horizons day-to-day and having a vibrant or curious approach generally. Like being in nature, having connections with loved ones and friends, or just having fun! For me, painting is then a creative outlet for that authenticity.”
What’s your favourite artwork and why?
“There are far too many artworks in the world to have a favourite! But I lean towards abstracts generally, including abstract portraits or figures, pieces with gorgeous colour application and dynamics to be interesting but still soft. I feel these are engaging without having a designated purpose, and are open to interpretation which I admire.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I was thrilled to have some of my works shown at two ArtBox Exhibitions last year in Zurich, Switzerland and also Palma, Mallorca. This year I also had pieces exhibited at the Holy Art Fair in London’s Oxo Tower Bargehouse, which was a huge event and was a privilege to be part of. I’m hoping to be able to attend a few more exhibitions in the near future, and am keeping an eye out for galleries or exhibitors where I think we could collaborate well.”
