Céline Chourlet: Painting Life in Colors and Light

Excerpt from an Interview with Chourlet ​

Born in the peaceful village of Chamigny, in Seine-et-Marne, I am Céline Chourlet, a self-taught painter. My childhood, shaped by the seasonal transformations of the brown earth into golden waves, has nurtured an inexhaustible creative energy within me. At the age of 16, I shared my world through my first exhibition, thus laying the groundwork for a life dedicated to art.​

Becoming a painter wasn’t a conscious decision, but rather something that simply felt inevitable. Coming from a family with no connection to the art world, I felt from a very early age the need to transform everyday life by infusing it with a touch of dreams. Drawing, creating poetic objects, and painting on any available surface were, for me, ways to beautify reality. The journey from childhood to adulthood is marked by learning, observation, and discoveries of color. Being an artist means, above all, being sincere, finding joy in what you do, and sharing your work with the world. As an eternal apprentice, I invent my life day by day.

Inspiration, far from being a fleeting grace, is for me a constant state, fueled by life itself. Living in a sunny haven of peace, every day is a source of wonder. When I’m not in front of my canvas, I’m drawing, sculpting, or bringing a new “Marcel the Cat” to life. Cooking, the colors of nature, and positive nostalgia are all muses that fuel my desire to create and to translate

My style is a kaleidoscope of colors, an invitation to a dreamy, sun-drenched life. I love to paint scenes where you can imagine yourself lounging in a wrought-iron chair by the sea, surrounded by lush vegetation, with a few tabby cats basking in the shade. Over the years, my palette has expanded to include vibrant hues, moving away from dark outlines toward a brighter style. I’ve explored new themes and diversified my drawings, paintings, and sculptures, reflecting my personal and artistic growth.​

For me, art is a perpetual quest for sincerity and joy—a daily reinvention of life through creation.​