Emotions and Art from Two Continents

Grace Kelly Portrait by Ellen de Fantine

I have learned not to underestimate the power of social media to introduce me to new and exciting developments in the world of travel which is my special area of interest; but my eyes have been opened on a number of occasions to other fields recently, in particular to a wide variety of different art forms. Being a traditionalist I have always leaned towards portrait work and through the vague and often murky world of twitter I recently stumbled on the work of a talented artist who spreads her time between the glamorous worlds of Monaco and Brazil. Keen to explore further I set up a question and answer session via direct messaging on twitter.

Ellen de Fantine - fashion artist?

After spending her childhood in Brazil, Ellen moved to Geneva in 2000 where she studied in French and produced four books. She moved to the Principality of Monaco in 2002 where she developed her style of art, and through a widening social network began to attract a number of admirers to her works, including Donatella Versace and Daniel Auteuil. 

Q: How would you define your art?

EF: “As the autumn leaves”, I define my art as well. I feel that this season of the year the landscape is sad and melancholy. I think my art explores personal feelings, desire, sex appeal and the chaos of the fashion world on people. 

Q: When did you start creating art?

EF: When I started to wear mannequins I was still in Monaco, in the beginning it was just a pastime, and when I went to Larvotto beach I started to use the iPhone and the iPad to create art while sunbathing. I realized that an art-form was developing, so I decided to invest my time and creativity on this concept, since we are constantly evolving. In fact I have even taken out a patent for the date on 01.02.2012, I think it’s original and important for me only.

Q: What materials do you use?

EF: First of all I use my emotions as part of the process of the creation. I use the computer to wear the mannequins, and then the iPhone or iPad to create another style of images. After the final result, the images are projected via a laser jet onto canvas textile. Needless to say that the choice of paint and finish quality is also a digital resource. I also make some interventions using metal, plastic and other materials because the artist has to go out of their artistic comfort zone. I make the final touch of printing with an opaque dry texture to reflect the Fantine style.

Q: You seem to focus on the female portrait – are strong women your inspiration?

EF: Yes! I like to say I am kind of a fashion artist. Women are responsible for keeping the fashion industry in full swing and the fashion industry is responsible for a proportionate pleasure to us. The vast majority of women who won admiration, they used fashion as an ally, but often behind these women there is also a story, often bitter. The apparent strength of a woman always has a “rendez-vous”, every night with weakness.

Q: What artists have been most influential on you?

EF: I do not know if there was a direct influence, but I can say that I am attracted to the art of Jan Vermeer and Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. 

Q: Do you do commissioned work?

EF: Yes! Absolutely! I have all sort of collectors in Brazil, China, Indonesia, Monaco and in others countries too. I hope be exhibiting in Berlin this year. Between my clients are Daniel Auteuil, the French actor, Xuxa Meneguel from Brazil and top secret. (smiles)

Q: Would you try any other artistic styles?

EF: All that I can say is that I am also a writer. In the future hope it is possible that I will write a drama based on my life story.

Q: How long does it take you to complete a typical portrait?

EF: It depends! For example, I am currently working on a portrait of Diana Princess of Wales by iPhone, and it is now three days and nothing. To create by iPhone or iPad in particular, it’s more complicated to conceive the idea because the concept of the art must be careful not to seem a reproduction that disrespects the collector and the professionals.

About the dolls I have to be inside me one hundred percent. I am not able to  produce these without feelings in my veins, it´s means; to wear a divorce doll, a widow doll,  a prostitute doll and a also a glamour doll this is how to define the feelings of these people or myself throught the appearance.  For me its less complicated. I usually design a doll by day..

Q: you spend time in Monaco and Brazil – where do you call homes? 

EF: For now, I must say both! Wherever there are beaches, sun and smiles I want to be in, always ...

For more information on Ellen’s works check out her website!