For Florence Egasse, the museums and galleries of Paris were “playgrounds for the eyes” and the artist considers childhood visits and hours spent enjoying works by the modern masters to be a major catalyst in developing her lifelong passion for art.
After studying in Normandy, Egasse spent time in London and began to paint. Immediately drawn to abstracts, her work explored shapes and colour inspired by nature and her surroundings.
As her corporate career as a knowledge manager developed, Egasse found it difficult to find time for her art and any possibility of swapping her corporate life for a potential career as an artist was well-and-truly thwarted when when her first child was born. Now, after almost 15 years, with two children at primary school and her corporate career behind her, Egasse has once again thrown herself into art.
Egasse’s more recent work is a combination of landscapes and abstract works, often juxtaposing fluidity in shape and colour with geometric shapes that create a sense of energy and movement. Evidence of many hours spent enjoying the works of artists such as Henri Matisse are evident here.
“Matisse is a big influence in my work as he conveyed emotions through an expressive synthesis of colours and simple dynamic shapes.”
In much of her abstract work, Egasse focuses on working in a way that allows for spontaneity and freedom in the process of bringing her creations to life.
“The composition of some my work is kind of planned but can differ when the painting is finished. I like the idea that ‘less is more’, but, at times, this is difficult to achieve. I can struggle to decide when to stop but I eventually solve my own puzzle.”
Although some works are more carefully planned and executed, often Egasse prefers to see where the work takes her; often opting to be guided by the paint rather than beginning with a sketch. This open-ended approach to art-making allows for broad interpretations of her work.
After studying in Normandy, Egasse spent time in London and began to paint. Immediately drawn to abstracts, her work explored shapes and colour inspired by nature and her surroundings.
As her corporate career as a knowledge manager developed, Egasse found it difficult to find time for her art and any possibility of swapping her corporate life for a potential career as an artist was well-and-truly thwarted when when her first child was born. Now, after almost 15 years, with two children at primary school and her corporate career behind her, Egasse has once again thrown herself into art.
Egasse’s more recent work is a combination of landscapes and abstract works, often juxtaposing fluidity in shape and colour with geometric shapes that create a sense of energy and movement. Evidence of many hours spent enjoying the works of artists such as Henri Matisse are evident here.
“Matisse is a big influence in my work as he conveyed emotions through an expressive synthesis of colours and simple dynamic shapes.”
In much of her abstract work, Egasse focuses on working in a way that allows for spontaneity and freedom in the process of bringing her creations to life.
“The composition of some my work is kind of planned but can differ when the painting is finished. I like the idea that ‘less is more’, but, at times, this is difficult to achieve. I can struggle to decide when to stop but I eventually solve my own puzzle.”
Although some works are more carefully planned and executed, often Egasse prefers to see where the work takes her; often opting to be guided by the paint rather than beginning with a sketch. This open-ended approach to art-making allows for broad interpretations of her work.
There is no right or wrong. I love the fact that my viewers can see where the painting is taking them.”
“In my ‘Macarons’ series, which is a study on shapes, transparency and light, a friend saw in one work a woman on her hospital bed with her husband by her side. I did not expect such a funny and truly honest interpretation of my painting.”
Never short of inspiration, Egasse carefully balances time spent on each work with the temptation to produce more work.
“The fact that I am free to create what I want, when I want is a luxury and it is very exciting! I wish I could produce more artwork as I have so many ideas, but it is more of a priority to ensure that each piece of artwork is unique and has its own story.”
Egasse’s work is stocked by galleries throughout New Zealand including Auckland’s Mobile Art Gallery, Art Box Gallery in Christchurch, Majuba Gallery in Hanmer Springs and Art on Tyne in Oamaru. You can also take a look at more of Egasse’s work on her website, floart.co.nz.
Never short of inspiration, Egasse carefully balances time spent on each work with the temptation to produce more work.
“The fact that I am free to create what I want, when I want is a luxury and it is very exciting! I wish I could produce more artwork as I have so many ideas, but it is more of a priority to ensure that each piece of artwork is unique and has its own story.”
Egasse’s work is stocked by galleries throughout New Zealand including Auckland’s Mobile Art Gallery, Art Box Gallery in Christchurch, Majuba Gallery in Hanmer Springs and Art on Tyne in Oamaru. You can also take a look at more of Egasse’s work on her website, floart.co.nz.
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