We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Annie Clavel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Annie below.

Annie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

I had just arrived in Long Beach from France. in the neighborhood a coffee shop was showing local artists art. And my art was selected: first exhibition in the US. Shortly after the opening reception, a shooting of Miami CSI took place in front of the coffee shop. The cast and crew loved to take a break and drink coffee there. A week after the reception I got a phone call: a member of the movie crew wanted to buy my watercolor: “Shooting at the Beach”. Appointment was made in the coffee shop and the deal was closed: I was so happy to get money from my art!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I have spent my life following different professional paths: teaching mathematics, selling IT consultations, marketing IT classes for companies, starting a late art career. I have loved living in different countries. With my husband and three boys, we have lived in France, Germany, and Tunisia. It was always a struggle for me when I arrived in a new country. Each time I had to discover the different lifestyles, I had to learn the habits and customs of the country and to speak a new language. But I liked this challenge. I moved from France to Long Beach, California, in 2006. 4 years after, I opened an Art Gallery Les Jolis Trésors. I managed it from 2009 to 2014, curating exhibitions, moderating art talks, and teaching art. I hadn’t any formal education in art, I studied mathematics and computer science. I had many students in my art classes, and they became my friends. I met artists and neighbors in the gallery. Using my computer skills, I advertised with eblasts, newsletters and I expanded my network. But I didn’t have enough time to paint…
I closed the gallery in 2014, then I was happy to be able to paint daily. And not only this but also, I had more time to think about what drove me to be an artist: the freedom to mix colors and invent shapes? the satisfaction of seeing different imaginary worlds? The pleasure of describing scientific theories in color? I like to paint stories I imagine or abstraction. I want to share the idea of infinity, large numbers, and tiny particles. I want to paint the light, the universe, and my feelings.
I had several solo exhibitions in California with Gallery 825, in Los Angeles, C Gallery on Broadway in Long Beach, Orange County Center for Contemporary Art (OCCCA) in Santa Ana, LA Artcore in Los Angeles. In 2017, with LA Artcore, I organized an exchange of artists between Paris and Los Angeles.
I’m involved in different organizations in the Los Angeles area: I’m a board member of the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art as Treasurer and Chair of Marketing, I’m an active member of Los Angeles Art Association – Gallery 825 and a board member of Women Painters West.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

When I paint, I am in a world, far from the day-to-day reality. Each time I paint, it is a new experience which might lead to a creation which fits with my state of mind. I love the moment when I can see that the colors harmonize, the shapes intersect gracefully, and the creation is good. And if a visitor arrives and stays a long time in front of this painting feeling its emotion, it’s such a reward!

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I remember when I started painting, I was surprised that some friends were telling me: how lucky you are! You can relax by painting, it’s a great hobby. It was difficult to explain that it’s not relaxing at all. Of course I do know that I cannot stop creating, that I forget things that bother me, but I never forget that the painting in front of me is a reflection of myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.annieclavel.com/
• Instagram: @annieclavelart
• Facebook: ClavelAnnie
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annieclavel/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClavelAnnie
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBUcENbyT5_VkrzhFpPL_zA

Image Credits
Annie Clavel