Interview

Oct 11

Rachel Ougier Simonin

Rachel Simonin has had multiple lives - senior executive, auto-entrepreneur, a proud mum of a little girl and she is an abstract painter! She grew up in a little village in the French Alps. She is used to doing art and crafts since she was little, with an art teacher as a dad that would entertain the family! While she always painted, she worked for 20 years in Paris as an executive for various international companies. She moved with her family from Paris to Basel (Switzerland) five years ago for a new job. She decided to fulfill her dreams and used her all her free time to paint. To this day, she has no idea what tomorrow will bring, but since doing what she loves, she's coping with not knowing a lot better! Rachel has painted all her life: creating is a strong part of her. What she particularly loves is the magical moment when she no longer directs the brush, but the paint equally guides her. Introvert by nature, she was also pleasantly surprised to see how many people are touched with her paintings. She has also received a lot of encouragement, good advises, and lots of laughs. That alone made the trip worthwhile! Rachel creates single paintings, as well as collections, for businesses and homes - and ships anywhere.

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“My dad was an art teacher, so we were always doing artistic activities as home, as he is very creative! He also made art very accessible to us, as we would learn techniques without noticing. All he cared about was for us to dare! I left art behind me as I started a corporate career, and came back to it a few years ago! I enjoyed creating so much that I decided to make it part of my portfolio of business activities!”

What inspires you?

“Colors and shapes inspire me the most! I like to start with a color in mind, and then explore from there. See where my instinct brings me, and continue shape my painting until I like it. It is also finished when a piece of me is on the canvas.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“I do abstract paintings. I aspire to bring beauty to the world, as my paintings decorate a home or an office. I have the ambition to make you dream in front of it, and make you feel more at ease in the room. It is all about being well!”

“I aspire to bring beauty to the world, as my paintings decorate a home or an office. I have the ambition to make you dream in front of it, and make you feel more at ease in the room.”

How would you describe your work?

“My work is abstract and very creative! I have plenty of different collections, on different themes. I continue to create new ones, as this is what drives me! I also want you to find what you like, hence I offer to do similar paintings in different formats - so you can find the size that suits you best, for a painting you like.”

Which artists influence you most?

“I love Modigliani the most. His art touches me a lot - these faces he does in particular. His style carries me: I could lose myself in front of his paintings over and over. I find a sensitivity and emotion that others do not trigger in me.”

What is your creative process like?

“First, I decide about the colors I want to use. Then, I decide about the type of paint which is usually acrylic or aquarelle, and whether I want some volumes too - as I also work with shapes. Once the high level direction is set, I start and I lose myself in the canvas! I forget time, I forget myself - and a few hours are gone before I even realize it! I usually work a piece in several times too, letting it rest and coming back to it until I am happy with it.”

What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?

“I think artists are here to bring creativity and freedom to the world - and as a consequence of it, beauty. I also believe that art is freedom, and therefore does need to be preserved. It is also a form of expression that comes early for kids, and that brings a lot of joy. Same joy we find back as adults! Art has so many facets it would not be fair to box it! In terms of evolution, some will complement their art with AI. Creativity will continue to feed all the artists, machines or not - and that is the beauty of art! A never ending creation process.”