Interview
Glenn Deneve
Glenn Deneve was born in Bruges, Belgium. Growing up in one of the oldest and most magnificent cities of Europe, Glenn became keenly aware of life’s inherent splendor. Elements of his early home life helped shape his imagery, providing a solid foundation for his artistic career.
From childhood, Glenn was drawn to the United States and the creative vibe of California. In 1997 he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his dreams.
Glenn is drawn to nature, light, and the reflection of the sun on urban buildings – through a desire to uncover their harmony and beauty.
Glenn is an artist who embodies the synthesis of his modern abstract sensitivities with sweeping palettes of color, and the atmospheric qualities of aesthetics and beauty. It is this fusion of color, spontaneity, and representation that produces his rich and expressive body of work.
What makes Glenn’s work so appealing is his employment of engaging yet ambiguous imagery, which challenges viewers to approach his paintings from a very personal point of view. His seemingly impulsive combinations of forms and colors, scale and perspective, are always surprising and uplifting, and invite the viewer to personally process this visual information. One might find himself returning to Glenn’s paintings and encountering myriad subtleties that were not seen before. Glenn has developed his own textures and combinations of acrylic, watercolors, and ink on canvas, wood panels, and paper.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I was born in Bruges, Belgium as the son of two artistic parents. My mom owned a renowned hair salon and my dad had an art gallery and frame store. I am a self-taught artist who started out as a hairstylist like my mom and moved to California in 1997 to pursue my dream to become a hairstylist to the stars in Beverly Hills. While living in California I was inspired by the beautiful natural settings, and increasingly felt the urge to start painting, which I did around 2002.
At the beginning it was more like a hobby, and I made 4 to 6 paintings a year which sold immediately to friends and neighbors who enjoyed them. Around 2012 my hair clients who were wealthy and influential in the art world started noticing my work and purchasing my paintings as a way to support my dreams. Little by little, and with the help of social media and the support of these people, my paintings are now in some world-renowned collections.”
What inspires you most?
“I feel inspired by many different things. Fashion and architecture play an important role, and I also spend a fair amount of time in nature. Although my paintings are purely abstract, they definitely have a feeling of the beauty you find in these categories. I think my use of colors is very instinctive and has a strong natural connection.”
“ When I stand in front of the canvas, this influx of joy comes out of my system and flows onto the canvas in the form of bright colors, movements, and shapes until it is fully expressed! The process of painting is cathartic, a purification of the soul; it brings about a renewal of my inner self.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“Living in California, I have always been drawn to nature and the beach, and I am curious about my environment, so this would be the theme. There is no underlying message - I see it more as a visual experience and want to leave the viewer with a warm and happy feeling.”
How would you describe your work?
“I think my work is a direct reflection or response to my surroundings and experiences, which does not always tell a story, but I prefer to create a more visceral painting where the viewer can make up their own narrative.”
Which artists influence you most?
“The artist that influences me the most, and is my favorite, is Jackson Pollock. Although I am also inspired by the works of Mark Rothko, Robert Motherwell, and Mark Bradford to name just a few.”
“Throughout the day I absorb the beauty I am surrounded by, with a conscious determination to eliminate any ugliness that might pop up! Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”
What is your creative process like?
“Most of my inspiration comes naturally and I often don't plan how my work will look. It's a very intuitive process from beginning to the end.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“For me it’s about providing inspiration to someone, to stop and see things from a different perspective - bringing something new and refreshing to the table.”
Website: www.glenndeneve.com
Instagram: @glenndeneve
