The works of the German artist, Andrea Hupke de Palacio, will keep reminding you that life is one long adventure. Her paintings and drawings are fun, lively, thoughtful, whimsical and still soothing to the soul. She merges fashion and food into fabulously colorful paintings (how can any two subjects be any less Parisian?) and asks you to thoughtfully consider the health of the earth in other pieces such as with her sea creatures and river paintings. She shares glimpses of what her life in Paris is like and may even help you see that wonderful city in a new light. You will be soothed by her abstracts and excited by her figurative paintings. She encourages each of us to explore the world around us and see it in many different ways.
We are honored to share with you this insightful interview and these stunning works of art by Andrea Hupke de Palacio.

Let the adventure begin!

 

Poupeés Extraordinaires 2, 10x15, watercolor

 

Poupeés Extraordinaires, 10x15, watercolor

 

First of all I would like to thank Jessie and Kim for giving me the opportunity to talk about my art and to show it here on the Wandering Educator website.

How long have you been an artist?

I have been an artist all my life, my parents encouraged me to draw and paint at a very early age. I always loved to draw. My first art teacher was my dad, himself a skilled painter. In school, I used to draw under the desk whenever that was possible, and on on my jeans with a ballpoint pen….I also loved to experiment with textile art.

 

Miss Doodle and her Coach, 10x15, watercolor

 

La Comtesse Ananas, 40x20, gouache on paper

 

Is your art your full-time career?

It has been for a year now. Before that, it has been a part-time career for 10 years. I have worked as a translator and PA for many years before going back to art school in 2003. When I got my textile design diploma in 2005, I first worked in the fashion industry until I got a part time job in a photographic art association in Paris and decided to dedicate the rest of the time to my painting career.

 

Miss Pomelo, 40x20, gouache on paper

 

Mademoiselle Poire, 40x20, gouache on paper

 

Do you work with other artists?

In 2012 I founded the artist collective ATELIER 325 together with artist Kim Rodeffer Funk and that has changed my perspectives. We worked on several art projects together, and in view of a common exhibition in Germany in 2013, I felt encouraged to leave my job in order to work as a full-time artist. That year we have worked on several projects together (at times with yet another artist), an art market, and two exhibitions in Germany and the US. Right now, we are showing an exhibition (Kunst & Kulinarisches) and preparing another one in Germany. We also started a project called “The Third Artist” paintings, where we have found our own special process to work on one painting with 4 hands, on two continents - and will have a show of these paintings in Paris soon. I find it easy to work with Kim, on the other hand it is sometimes difficult but rich to work with more than one other artist on a common project.

 

Mme Capuccino, 40x20, gouache on paper

 

Miss Clementine, 40x20, gouache on paper

 

Where do you work?  How long have you been there?

I have been living in and around Paris for 13 years now. I work in Nogent sur Marne, a pretty suburb of Paris, right near the river Marne. I also have been living there 3 years now.

 

Sketchbook, the River Marne

 

Do you have favorite places you like to create?

I like to paint in my studio, but I sketch and paint also outside in Paris and its surroundings.

 

What does a typical day look like?  Is there a typical day?

No, there is not really a typical day. I try to be efficient and prepare a “ to do” list for the next day, but I do not always follow that list. There is some regularitym though. For example, I like to get up around 8 and then go out to the river to get some exercise. Then I go home and either work on a painting or work on the organizational aspect of my art business. I don’t spend too much time preparing lunch, cause that takes away precious time but I try to eat healthily anyway. On the weekends I try to relax and have a good time with my fiancé.

 

La Riviére, 92x73, egg tempera on canvas

 

People of the River, 73x92, egg tempera on canvas

 

What materials do you prefer?

I like to draw with ink pen fine liners, and with pencils. When it comes to painting, I love to adjust my technique to the subject of the painting. I like to paint with egg-tempera, which I prepare myself with pigments. It needs more preparation than the painting with acrylics, but it is also a different painting process and the aspect of the painting will be very different. One of my favorite materials is watercolor; I love to work with watercolor in my sketchbook over ink pen drawings. I also love to do bigger paintings with watercolors. I use transparent and opaque watercolors.

 

Deep Sea, 665x92cm, egg tempera on canvas

 

Jonas, 65x92cm, acrylic on canvas

 

Where/How are you inspired?

I am inspired by the natural settings of the place where I live. For example, right now I’m living very close to the river Marne, and it is a wonderful source of inspiration. Throughout the different seasons, the colors of the river and the riverbanks change a lot. I am also very inspired by the Paris Fashion life, I like to do fashion illustrations. I love the inspiration coming from other artists too, in the galleries and museums.

 

Madame Citron, 40x20, gouache on paper

 

Madame Poivron, 40x20, gouache on paper

 

How do you know when your piece is done?

Often, at a certain stage, I tell myself, that I have to give the painting some time to breathe. Then I let the painting sit on the easel, or I hang it on the wall. Sometimes it will just sit there for a long time waiting for me to decide whether I’ll keep on working on it for a while or whether it’s finished. But there are also times when I just know when the painting is done and shouldn’t be tampered with anymore.

 

Dolphin Lovers, 32x50, watercolor on paper

 

Do you work on one or more pieces at a time?

It depends on the technique. When I’m working with acrylics on canvas, I often begin several pieces at the same time in view of a series. I prepare the canvases with gesso and let them dry, then work on them one by one.  The same goes for egg-tempera paintings. With watercolor paintings, I also often lay down the background on several pieces at a time. When I go into the details of the painting, I like to only work only at one at a time.

 

Faun, 92x73cm, egg tempera on canvas

 

If you were not a painter/sculptor/photographer, etc. what would you do?

Hmm, I would perhaps be a landscape gardener, or a costume designer.

 

Fairy, 92x73cm, egg tempera on canvas

 

How can our readers find and purchase your art?

They can find my art on my website www.andreahupkedepalacio.com, and may contact me directly via email at cestandrea at gmail dot com.

 

Would you like to share anything else with us?

Yes, I would like to talk about the fact that the artist’s job is often a very lonely one. I have made the experience that it’s crucial to find a balance between solitude and communication with others. When you are too much involved with social life, it takes away your time for painting. When you are too much involved with your paintings and don’t talk to anyone anymore, you may go nuts. It’s a fine balance. Therefore, I also like to be in a constant art communication with Kim, to be able to talk about the artist’s doubts which sometimes come up and to not be alone in that adventure which is to fully live my life as an artist. I also love to give individual art workshops with Atelier 325, and to meet with an amateur music band once a week to sing and play guitar.

 

Sleeping Sperm Whales, 73x92cm, egg tempera on canvas

 

 

 

Want more extraordinary artists? Check out our learn.ist board:

 

 

 

Kim Rodeffer Funk is the Art Editor for Wandering Educators. She notes, "I am an abstract painter and have enjoyed living a creative life for many years.  In 2012, I co-founded Atelier 325 with Andrea Hupke de Palacio and today show my art in Europe and the United States."

You can find her at http://kimrodefferfunk.com/

 

 

 

All photos courtesy and copyright Andrea Hupke de Palacio