July 01, 2019Artists

Interview with Artist Juliette Bechu

So, tell us a little about yourself and your creations:

My name is Juliette Bechu, I'm a french illustrator. I'm 24years old. I was born in Reunion Island and now, I live in the South of France for 5 years. I grew up with Ocean, palm trees, the surf, the beach.. (I was living the best life ahah, I'm so thankful to my parents who gave me the chance to grew up like this) that's why I think island life is my first source of inspiration in my creations.

I started to be an illustrator 2 years ago after I've finished my study in interior design. I didn't think about becoming an illustrator at first, but I started to draw for myself, I drew what I wanted, and I enjoyed drawing some little surfers characters who had fun, with palm trees and waves...

I started posting on Instagram, and I just let the things go on and come to me, I did not really push the thing, didn't talk too much about it because I was a little scared about what people could think of it. You know, Art and creation are showing your thought and personality, so it's a little bit scary.

My style of drawing is simple, I want to communicate and express myself easily and spontaneously.

Juliette illustration her waves interview

What inspires the art that you create?

As I said, my art is completely inspired by the Island lifestyle, the surf culture, the Ocean and nature. I am also inspired by my travels, that are now exclusively about surf trips. I also draw a little bit of my life, as a surfer girl and some anecdotes about surf life and ecology too. I think illustration and art is a good way to educate and touch people and it's important for me to do it. I search to retranslate a simple way of life connected to Ocean and nature. I want to make people a bit more dreamy when they see my art. All my draws translate what I want to share with people when ideas and inspiration are coming, I note it, draw it quickly, and apply color with a graphics tablet. I slowly developed a cartoon style and I like to use it to make a little bit of fun and humor in my illustrations.

Juliette illustration her waves interview

What is the biggest challenge you face as an artist/entrepreneur?

I haven't had a big challenge to face yet. For the moment, I have the chance that people who work with me are in the same universe, so I work on projects that correspond to me. Maybe the most difficult thing for me is to develop contacts, to find clients and to talk about my art. I'm a bit shy so sending emails and making calls is not my cup of tea ahah but I'm still working on it!

What have you learned that you would love to share with others starting their artistic journey?

I have learned (and I work on it again) to avoid being anxious about what people think about my work, I told myself that it can't interest everyone and that I have to do what interests me first. This is why I don't have a lack of inspiration during projects yet!

How long have you been surfing and what does surfing mean to you?

I started surfing when I was 6 years old with my parents. And I loved it ahah, we spent all days long to the beach and in the water. It is the best memory I have with my family. I quit surfing when I was 13, I don't know exactly why, but I wanted to experience other things, teenage rebellion probably.... But something was missing. I restarted 3 years ago and I was like "damn"!!! Why did I stop!

I restarted surfing when I met my boyfriend, he is a surfer too. I think sharing the same activity makes you more connected and I tell him thank you to get me back on rails!!

I can't imagine myself living away from the water, it's like my therapy, it gives me inspiration, happiness, fresh mind when nothing goes Well and when I am anxious. All my life is now about surfing ahah, on my travels, my work, my friendships... This is for me, the best way of life. And I won't change it for anything else.