I recently came across the very talented Emilie Boudet, an illustrator based in Paris. Her sketchbooks (above) are a kind of visual diary which you can view on her website. I found them incredibly endearing and if you would like to see more have a look at www.emilieboudet.com. Here we interview Emilie to find out more about the sketchbooks and what else she's working on.
When did you first start making the sketchbooks?
I started in 2008, on January 1st. It was very exciting - and symbolic too - to start this sketchbook the very first day of the year !
How much time do you spend drawing them?
The concept of these sketchbooks is to be very spontaneous, so each drawing doesn't take more than 3 or 5 min to be done. I only use Chinese ink.
The drawings in your sketchbooks give an insight into your personal life, the highs and the lows. I think that part of their charm is in how honest they are, were you worried about being so open and what has the public response been?
Well, actually I pay a bit attention to the way I tell my stories : I try to say just enough to make the feelings understandable... I try to make these little stories light or even funny. For me, putting some low thoughts on paper was also a way to accept them and to distance myself from them. After all, even these little personal worries are universal stories... Sometimes people say to me "oh, I am like this drawing !"... I think people can recognize themselves in these situations, so maybe they can feel reassured...
I noticed there aren’t any sketchbooks to view after May on your website, do you plan to continue with them?
Of course ! Sometimes procrastination is my friend... Now I've added the June one, which was waiting to be scanned for such a long time! I will also add the next ones as soon as they will be scanned.
Which is your favourite month of drawings?
Well, I would say January or February... maybe because they seem more fragile, messy, with lots of little sketches everywhere, and a blur timeline.
Can you tell us about any other projects you’ve recently completed or have in the pipeline? What’s next for Emilie Boudet?
I've recently exhibited (in Paris) a series of illustrations, an alphabet book about characters and words from Hungarian gypsy tales. Now I would like to transform them into a book... I have to find a book publisher !
Images from "Gypsy Tales, from A to Z" by Emilie Boudet
I notice you have a collection of photos on your website too. Are you working on any photography projects at the moment for work or pleasure?
Not really. These photos are another way of self-expression, but at the moment, I use them mostly as inspiration...
Have you found your blog helpful in reaching a new audience?
Yes, the blog has a very different function than the online portfolio. It can bring new readers thanks to the blogrolls or some articles posted in others' blogs, and it becomes really interesting when these readers put some comments to share ideas and believes about the articles / drawings I post.
Can you tell us your favourite thing about living in Paris? What’s your top tip for someone visiting the city?
What I most appreciate here is that I can travel everywhere in the city with my bike, and find another atmosphere in a very short time.
The advice I would give to someone who comes to visit Paris is : forget your guidebook, walk randomly and get lost in Paris streets !
www.emilieboudet.com
www.flickr.com/photos/mmili