(Black Bird)
*Update: After reading this article on Anne-Julie Aubry’s work here, be sure to check out my interview with her, located here.
My travels around the internet have once again yielded bounty in the form of a delightful artist to share with you as a Friday Favorite. French artist Anne-Julie Aubry works in both the traditional and digital paint mediums (with occasional collage) to create deceptively innocent works of art that are visually arresting and thematically intriguing.
(Neige)
Fantasy and all its varied sub-genres yield works that can be bright and uplifting, dark and dangerous, or somewhere in between. You can see images on both sides of the spectrum in the work of Anne-Julie Aubry. Perusing her gallery you will see images grouped into two categories: Dark, and Whimsical. Aubry explains:
“I like to say that my world is divided in two parts. I have that “cotton candy” side where I like to use soft or bright colors on cute themes. This part of me is the older one, I began my illustration studies with things intented for children. And I have this other side, a darker one, when I need to expose my adult mind and its sad depths. My inspiration comes from my childhood, from fairytales, from music and movies or Nature and dreams, but it also comes from my everyday life.”
(Dreaming of bees)
I love seeing both sides of her nature in her work. The rich reds and bright hues of her ‘whimsical’ work is eye catching and calls to mind the things I love about this time of year as Spring brings forth life again and nature comes alive with color and sound.
(The End draws near)
But I am also very drawn to her darker images. They remind me of that delicious feeling of fear you got as a child (and can still get as an adult) reading an eerie, gothic tale or seeing a suspenseful, atmospheric film. There is a Lovecraftian ‘things-are-going-to-reach-out-from-the-woods-and-grab-you” quality to many of the images in her Dark gallery.
(Counting ants)
Counting Ants and Dreaming of Bees speak to me in a nostalgic voice from my childhood. I vividly recall going through a phase where I would sit among the dandelions and talk to bees. I would do the same with ants and would lay still and watch them work so steadily. During that phase in my childhood I considered it abhorrent that anyone would step on an anthill. And today I still find myself avoiding them if I can, chuckling at the wondrous little boy that is still alive and well inside of me.
(La Sorciere Noire)
I am drawn to Anne-Julie Aubry’s work for a number of reasons, not the least of which is her incorporation of birds and trees, both of which are very symbolic images especially when looked at from a fantasy/fairytale/mythology perspective. Their presence in art generally makes me stop and look a little deeper, wondering what veiled meaning may lie behind their inclusion.
(Amelie)
Amelie, the film by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, is one of the most blissfully romantic films ever made and is far and away one of my favorite films. If I had a list of required film viewing it would be near the top (warning: some scenes may not be suitable for young viewers, avoid watching it with your garden gnome as he may get ideas). On occasion I will come across a piece of art and will have an instantaneous “Ah, Amelie!” feeling. Inevitably those works turn out to be inspired by the film, as Anne-Julie’s fun collage piece is. There is something about Audrey Tautou’s portrayal of this titular character that is instantly recognizable.
(Ofelia)
Anne-Julie Aubry has great taste in films if her art is any indicator, as the above image is inspired by the dark adult fairy tale, Pan’s Labyrinth. Aubry captures the look and feel of the film so well with her dark, brooding colors and sense of foreboding as the woods seem to close round about Ofelia.
(The Fall)
I find it very interesting how much depth Anne-Julie Aubry gets with this style of painting. For example with The Fall above the arms reaching up for her and the rain falling and the insects look almost as if they are on separate layers. I really admire the effect that she achieves.
(I Still Remember)
I am also very fascinated by the mood she captures with each piece. The faraway look of sadness in I Still Remember conveys such a tangible sense of emotion.
(This Glorious Sadness)
And this image does so even more. Seeing the title instantly brings Sarah McLachlan’s song “Angel” to mind: “…it’s easier to believe in this sweet madness, oh this glorious sadness that brings me to my knees.”
(“Spring” box)
Anne-Julie Aubry does not limit herself to two-dimensional illustration either. As you can see with the container above and the chest below, she expresses her wondrous creativity in many other ways. If you click on the above image it will open up multiple views of that work showing all the fun little details that she puts on her boxes.
(“Dreams” box)
One of the things I love most about both of those boxes is that the hearts are not merely painted on but they are separate pieces, affixed to the box. It is those extra little somethings that make three dimensional crafts like this so uniquely whimsical in nature. I love them.
As you can see from both her work and her self portrait, Anne-Julie Aubry is a fun and delightful talent. I have been able to share some of her work here, but what is extra fantastic about this is that there is so much more to see. You can visit her Portfolio site here. While there you can learn more about the artist herself as well as download free desktop wallpapers of her work. In addition you can visit her enchanting blog to see even more of her work as well as learn about her and her process (Anne-Julie graciously translates all of her blog posts into English after the French text for those of us who only speak the one language).
Anne-Julie Aubry also has a store with many fantastic items at extremely reasonable prices that allow you to have some of her artwork for your very own. She has prints and postcards and bookmarks and pocket mirrors and many other wonderful items for sale. In the past she has made jewelry with her images that are adorable.
And in the spirit of the Once Upon a Time II Challenge, I am giving away 2 prize packs with some of her items.
The first contains:
The Fall postcard
A bookmark with a girl holding a book (perfect for a reading challenge, don’t you think?)
And the Counting Ants postcard.
The second prize pack contains:
The La Sorciere Noire postcard
And the Whiteness of our Purity bookmark
I will draw 2 names on Monday at 11:59 p.m. CST. The first will get prize pack one and the second will get prize pack two (how systematic of me! 🙂 )
All you have to do to qualify is leave a comment here about what you like, don’t like, what moves you, etc. about this art, your feelings about it, etc. by the drawing deadline to be entered.
Have a wonderful Friday everyone!
I like the combination of Goth and innocence. There is such a sense of playfulness in even the darker images!
First let me ask, how do you do it? How do you find all these incredible artists?!!
I agree with you…I love both her whimsical and her darker pieces. I went to her shop and found a piece I fell in love with titled Mon Jardin Secret (hope I got that right). And I absolutely love the one you posted above, The End Draws Near. I think it would be incredible to have both of those, with one special place on the wall to hang the one that best fit my mood for the day.
Thanks Carl, for bringing us delights with your Friday Favorites! Have a great weekend!
Oh wow. I don’t know if I can say what it is about this art, but I seriously want to fill my house with it. I love the use of colors, and the sharp edges. I’m going to go right now and look at more of it. Thanks, Carl!
I really like this! My favorite is I Still Remember, The Fall, Ofelia, and Black Bird. When Ilook at Aubry’s pieces, the beginning of a story just pops up in my head.
I agree with jenclair. It’s such happy goth work. I’d love to add her to my art collection.
Wow! Thank you so much for bringing this wonderful artist to my attention! And how perfect is she for the Once Upon A Time challenge? She really evokes that feeling you mention – that eerie, gothic feel. Her work makes me feel that same mixture of foreboding and excitement I got when I first read the Grimm fairytales, after years of hearing the watered down versions.
I think I may have nightmares about ‘The Fall’ – but I’ll enjoy them 😉
I love her stuff!
Oh my goodness! I love her! I find her work absolutely breath-taking. I love fairy tales and her work has a very ethereal, fairy tale-esk feeling to it. Like jenclair said, it has a very innocent feeling, but there is a dark undertone to them that gives one pause. I love it!
Oh, and thank you for calling this amazing artist to my attention! Have a great weekend!
You’ve done it again Carl! Anne-Julie is a HUGE favorite around our house – me (I’m using a mousepad with the “counting ants” image), my wife, and my five year old daughter all adore her work. It’s rare for an artist to have the gift to speak with equal strength to both children and adults.
I have never seen an artist like her. I love the peaceful, almost spiritual mood. Thanks so much for bringing her to my attention!!
Wow thanks for sharing! I love the colors and the softness of her artwork and I like how the work can be charming or dark or both. They’re all so full of emotion as well. Beautiful! I think I might have to head over to her etsy store when I’ve got some spending money and order some goodies. Thanks Carl! Having fun with the reading too! 🙂
I love her work, especially Neige, The End draws near, La Sorciere Noire, Ofelia, The Fall, and This Glorious Sadness. Those pictures totally speak to me! Off to visit her shop now, thanks, Carl!
Her artwork is beautiful, I really like Black Bird and La Sorciere Noire. Stunning. They are whimsical but also a bit sad.
I’ve never seen her work before, and I love it! My favorite is “Black Bird,” which reminds me of my daughter!
These are lovely! I find myself drawn to the sort of somber melancholy feel of a few of them, and particularly to “The End draws near” and “The Fall.” The black/white/gray color palette is evocative and strangely soothing.
It’s odd: As I was reading I had my iTunes set to shuffle and it started to play a song that eerily echoed the tone of the art. It’s called “A sea chanty of sorts” by Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s. This lyric in particular caught me attention: “and when we kissed
it didnt feel poisonous
and when you cried
i dried off your blue eyes
she smiles at me as she is falling asleep”
Anyway, sorry about that tangent! I do love these pieces, though, and the others she has on her site, too. Thanks for discovering and sharing, Carl!
Chelle: Tangents are fantastic, so don’t apologize. I love to discover new music and now, because of your ‘tangent’, I have someone else to check out.
Robin: I assume her look reminds you of your daughter and not that your daughter often walks around with birds on her head. However, if she does I want to see pics!!! 😉
Bookworm: the touch of sadness in some of her pieces really speak to me, I like that about them.
Janet: Cool! Hope you find something you just cannot live without.
Ashleigh: I’m glad you are enjoying participating in the reading challenge and am thrilled you like Aubry’s art.
Corinne: You’re welcome! 🙂
Ken: how cool is that? I love it when I find artists and know that others have already discovered them as well. Lends a sort of synchronicity to this whole internet community.
Heather and JenClair: I’m glad I’m not the only one who sees the innocent goth connection. Nicely pointed out.
Jenn: enjoyable nightmares, eh? Sounds like a story!
Carrie: happy goth! I love it. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled if you do add some of her work to your collection.
Vasilly: You’re right, each image does conjure up a story…or multiple stories…don’t they?
Somer: I think some of her stuff would look great in my place as well. Among everything else I just really love the colors.
Debi: It isn’t difficult or magical, just comes from the places I trip around the net to visit. I found Anne-Julie Aubry’s site by looking in the ‘favorites’ section of last week’s Friday Favorite, Rachael Direnna.
Wow!! I love the simplistic lines, and how she uses so little to say so much.. I’m going to have that Sarah McLachlan song in my head for a while now, it popped in there when I saw “This glorious sadness” as well. Thanks for showing her off, Carl, even if I don’t win, I might buy a couple of bookmarks!! 🙂
I like that the artists portraying different aspects of a girl’s imagination… sometimes it borders on the violent, sometimes it’s peaceful, sometimes it’s a little of both. It reminds me of my daughters. (I haven’t forgotten about the challenge, really, I’m just a bit behind this month…)
Oh wow. I just changed my desktop wallpaper (after a moment of indecision between three of her designs), and I really loved what I had on there before. Hadn’t changed it in about a year.
I think I like the simplicity of the design. There’s actually a lot of free space, but the images speak volumes within that space.
Actually, Carl, Black Bird reminds me of my daughter, both in how she looks and that she’s a bird person (with 4 cockatiels) and so she often has one sitting on her head!! *big grin*
Last week, I found the pictures creepy. But these are just fantastic!! WAY more me than before. I especially love the paintings in red!!
Had to download some desktop wallpapers! What caught my imagination most in her work is the play of light and shadow. At first her work appears simple, but the emotions conveyed in the expressions and light are so pretty. Thanks for introducing me to her work!
the way the girlfaces seems to be so innocent childlike and at the same time hint at something very old and wise… these girls are going to be something to watch out for when they grow up 🙂
second time i was greatly moved by the art you find! (first time was with the artist who painted that beautifull red-head girl, cant find the post now)
How have I missed her Etsy shop before??? I totally need one of her mirrors.
There’s a layer of sadness in each of her pieces, which I think hints at fantasy/fairy tales where so often there is a dark side to the story just below the surface.
wow wow wow! These are stunning! First of all, I love her inspiration and adore the fact that she based paintings off of Amelie and Pan’s Labyrinth. My favorites of all that you posted are her more darkly inspired pieces with the blacks, whites and greys. La Sorciere Noire and The End Draws Near are just amazing. I could see her working on the art direction team of Amelie, couldn’t you? There’s a certain quirkiness to her art that Amelie had while still maintaining that definite meaningful beauty. Love it!
Sprite: I hadn’t even heard of Etsy before I discovered Rachael Direnna last week. I’m loving the place though. Of course it could bankrupt a person! 😉 Those mirrors of hers are great aren’t they? I love the different ways she merchandises her art.
Jaap: I assume you mean Esao Andrews. The link to that post is here:
http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com/?p=841
The best way to find former Friday Favorites post is to hit the ‘Friday Favorites’ link on my sidebar. I need to go back and make one main page though because that will only show them so far back.
Rachael: I’m going to change my wallpaper too.
Stephanie: You crack me up.
Robin: That makes sense then! 🙂
Megan: I change mine more often than that just because I find all these cool artists, but I often go back to ones I’ve had before simply because I like the images so much.
Melissa: do your daughters border on the violent? Wait, they’re kids. Of course they do!
Asara: I hope if you don’t win you do go buy one of her bookmarks. Her stuff is so great and so reasonably priced that I really hope many of you end up with some of her art in your home.
Chris: There are many more dark works on her site so be sure to check them out. I ordered a couple of her postcards with darker images (and the ant one too because I just love it).
Carl, these are fantastically beautiful! Aubry just has that whimsical touch to make something simplistic very meaningful. Her use of swirls and color is very appealing and eloquent. My favorites are La Sociere Noire, The Fall and This Glorious Sadness. Thank you for introducing this artist. You just made my day. :]
I like your choices for the prize packages VERY much! They seem like all the best of her work. This may sound extremely trite, but you did say to leave a comment about what you like and don’t, right? Somehow, the freckles on the girl are very distracting to me. They take away from her ethereal qualities, or her sophistication. I know, it’s majoring in the minors because the work itself is quite lovely; I especially like the Amelie picture (as well as the self portrait: fantastic red lips!) and agree that is a marvelous film. In any case, it would be delightful to win a package in this giveaway.
Bellezza: Thanks, I thought they would be fun prizes as well. And yes, that is what I asked. As president of the Freckle Lovers Association of Greater Kansas City I have to object to your disparaging remarks about freckles. We here at FLAG KC are working diligently for a greater acceptance of our freckled fellow man (and woman). Your thoughts are duly noted. We’ll be keeping an eye….and a freckle…on you. 🙂
Orchidus: I will give Anne-Julie the credit for making your day, as she did mine when I discovered her work. I’m glad you enjoy it.
I’ve never heard of this artist, but her work is unique and whimsical. It has a Tim Burton feel to it, but it’s not as macabre. I love her work, and would love to win! Thanks, Carl.
Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful pieces with us! I love the darkness and the whimsy – and the combination of both. And I love how she took her feelings from the movies and portrayed them so clearly in the film-inspired ones! And now I’m off to see more more more…
I like the very first piece, Black Bird, best. Why? Because it reminds me of a raven and I have a thing for those buggers (my book blog’s muse). However, the nicest part of your wonderful sharing is that after venturing over to the artist’s site, I looted a ton of new bookmarks. The gal has good taste! I also like La Sorciere Noire: trees, a sorceress, birds, wild hair shaped into a heart. Perfection!
Thanks so much for sharing!
“Childlike” is the way I would describe it. It is like seeing the inside of a little girl’s heart. The colors are vibrant. The details are small but meaningful. The work is not overloaded with things to look at so it expresses simple but real emotions. What I love best are the backgrounds. They are just so delicate and beautiful. This artwork has made me happy. Thanks Carl for another great Friday Favorite.
Very nice! I just spent way too long browsing her stuff and then looking around etsy (I usually try to stay away from there it’s soooo tempting!) but thanks for bringing her to our attention. I like what Rachael said how at first her work seems simple but the more you look the more depth you see in the images. And I love her use of red, it’s so vivid!
Thanks for bringing her to our attention, her work is very nice. I’m not too keen on the “dark” side, I wouldn’t hang those on my wall, but they’re still beautiful, all of them (and I’d love to have Neige in my room).
I also liked to find a bookish aura to them: you found movie references, and I agree, and I agree with that comment posted above by Vasilly (“When Ilook at Aubry’s pieces, the beginning of a story just pops up in my head”); but even more I felt that as I looked at each picture a book would come to mind.
I especially wonder if she has found inspiration in her countryman Maxence Fermine’s novels: Neige, Dreaming of Bees, Black Bird, and the first wallpaper (the one with the red backdrop and tea leaves) seem to come right out of his books, “Snow”, “The Beekeper”, “Black Violin” and “Opium”, respectively.
Like Jenclair, I like the combination of Gothic elements with innocence. I also like what you said about her art evoking that sense of childhood fear. At first glance that may seem like a tamer sort of fear, but it isn’t really. I remember that as a child I enjoyed being scared by stories and games and make-believe, but that little thrill I got from it didn’t make the fear any less real. Her art reminds me of that feeling.
Also, I like how there is something slightly oriental in some of her art.
Thanks for introducing us to another great artist!
This artist is new to me, and I like the juxtaposition of darkness and innocence very much. The use of birds and trees reminds me of images in the works of Mervyn Peake
and of Poe, though here the birds aren’t sinister but are imbued with symbolism that makes you really want to search for the meanings and the stories behind the pictures. They remind me of how, after a childhood fascination with fairy tales and myth, I discovered darker versions of the stories, and took to them greedily like a jackdaw to pearls.
I like whimsical drawings and paintings, and find these images to be beautiful.
Carl – another fantastic choice; I love The End Draws Near in particular. Like Susan I also thought of Tim Burton; it’s the Gothic innocence that appeals to me.
BTW have you looked at any of Daniel Merriam’s work? Very different but pleasantly strange.
Bride: I didn’t recognize the name but as soon as I saw the work I recognized it. His stuff is fantastic!!! Thanks for the reminder, I’ll have fun perusing his site.
And by the way, if you want to spend an enjoyable few hours I recommend checking out Anne-Julie Aubry’s links section on her site. She has links to some absolutely fantastic artists (several that I’ve done Friday Favorites on in the past) and amazing photographers. I spent an inspiring morning visiting many a cool site.
I love her artwork. My favourites are Neige, The End draws Near, La Sorciere Noire, The Fall and The Glorius Sadness. The self portrait is fun too! They are the kind of characters Tim Burton should use in his next animated film 🙂
I’m not so a much for gothic artwork, to display in my place anyway, but I do like her brighter pieces, Neige, and Counting Ants. What’s funny is when I first read Counting Ants I thought it said Courting Ants… which would have been cuter somehow. Anyway, very lovely stuff – the artist is talented. Thanks!
Oooh, I love this artist’s stuff. Thanks for finding her for me. That blend of the “dark” and the slightly frothy is fabulous.
Three thumbs up 🙂
I love Neige and La Sociere Noire. And Black Bird. Even the dark ones have a wonderful quality of innocence.
I love this artist’s work! Especially the colours she uses. I personally also love the very nice balance / mix of gothic and innocence in her images. If I lived alone, my house will be filled with images such as hers. I know a few other artists who paint in similar styles and I’d mix those artists’ works in with hers.
I wasn’t familiar with this artist’s work, but I really like it. I agree with many of the others who commented on the combination of innocence and a dark quality to the work. I also wanted to give you my new blog address so you can update your challenge participants. You can now find my blog (formerly PfeifferBooknotes) at Booknotes by Lisa
http://www.booknotesbylisa.blogspot.com.
oh my what a wonderful review, the lovely anne was right, you wrote a wonderful post on her work 😀 which is truly lovely 😀
Thanks from me thanks from her, she’s awesome, and so is her work, so I am always glad to see how better and better she gets every day! 😀
Lots of love!!
Thank you Gisele, I’m glad you enjoyed it. She is a phenom, no doubt about it!!!
I am lucky enough to own an original Anne-Julie painting, ‘Olga’ which is simply beautiful, and I love reading her blog to gain insight about her inspirations and thoughts as she creates her wonderful pieces. I am so happy you featured her here!
You are indeed lucky Kaz, that is great! I am certainly enjoying keeping up with her blog now and consider myself privileged to have been able to feature her work here.
I am a fan of Ann-Julie’s work and just discovered your wonderful blog…so full of beauty. I will be bookmarking it!
I am so glad you came by Susan. Your pictures are fantastic by the way. I especially like Urban Red Riding Hood. I encourage anyone visiting here to click on Susan’s name above and check out her photographs.
i love her art, because for me she touches me in my heart, she puts out of the depths of the soul, like great artists are able to 🙂
You are correct, Hermianne. She does indeed.