Today we introduce you to the fantastic artist GERAUD DELTEIL, who creatively interprets colorful portraits of famous figures in his very own way. Long time ago, he started with spray cans doing graffiti, but meanwhile he has developed his special unique style, which gets implemented mostly on canvas.
GERAUD DELTEIL paints comic-like portraits as abstracted cult figures, celebrities or simply fantasy creatures. Or he combines different scenarios and characters in one artwork. Sometimes he dives so much into the roles that he even puts on costumes himself while painting, like with the artwork related to Boba Fett from Star Wars. That action was simply awesome!
We talked to the artist and created this page here with an interesting interview and many photos, as a deeper insight into the creative world of GERAUD DELTEIL. We wanted to know more about this person, his world, what he is doing and why and all that. If you are also curious, keep on reading.
You paint portraits on canvas, but with spray can or airbrush. Those portraits are also somewhat modified and you often interpret familiar characters in a new way. The paintings are colorful, the colors are strong and overall the works are very impulsive. Often you take cult figures but portray them from your own perspective. They are a little more quirky with a wide grin and a twinkle in the eye. Tell us more about it.
For more than ten years now, I almost never paint walls with spray paint, due to lack of time. I now paint only on canvas since I am in an art gallery. My technique is the airbrush and I work in “raw” version without stencils which reminds me of spray paint. For the subjects of my work I would qualify it as fun art, more seriously I am situated between Streetart, Popart and Geekart depending on the paintings. For my part I always wanted to make a playful and colorful art. Pop street subjects that make up the scenery or accessories and always the main female character. I also attach a lot of importance in the hidden details, and I try to include a lot of references in my paintings. Some paintings can have up to twenty references to discover. I agree with your interpretation.
You paint not only the heroes of comics and nerds. You seem to be one yourself and paint in costumes from time to time! I myself am a big Star Wars fan and the one photo while doing an artwork in Boba Fett costume…. since then you had me totally! Just super mega awesome! You love the characters and you bring them to the screen. Tell us more about it.
I don’t draw only pop-culture references, of course it’s a great subject of inspiration, but I also like to change from time to time hence the historical ones where I can let loose on the clothes and materials, but the hidden details remain the same. Thanks for the Star Wars, I remain a big fan of the saga, and it is true that I paint what I like. I was lucky to have galleries that let me do what I want, without constraint according to my desires, it is a real chance.
On which surface do you create your artworks? For the most part it’s painting on canvas, isn’t it? But can it also be on other surfaces? Like wood or metal? And what about the urban walls?
For the walls I don’t do any more because of lack of time, I reserve one per year for a show or in private homes to keep the touch. I started with the walls in the early 90s, my inspiration “GRAFF”, it comes from there. And already back then, there was always a character included. But at that time, it was necessary to work at night and to know how to run… I’m long past my prime LOL. Fortunately times have changed and now there are places to go.
What materials and colors do you use? What do you paint with and what do you prefer to paint with?
For the material I use airbrushes of a German brand not to mention. For the paint, a specific American brand that allows to have a palette of opaque, transparent, perlized and metallic. It is similar to car paint, remains flexible and resists UV very well. The majority of the works are on canvas, but I sometimes make them on other supports, such as PVC, aluminum or wood plates that I recover to give them a second life. As for the brushes, I hardly use them, they are only used for the signature and some small writings.
Let’s talk more about your motifs. They are colorful portraits, but always in front view. Why not from the side or several people? Why only one person and this portrait at all? You could paint landscapes, letters or anything else. But you chose these beautiful portraits and keep abstracting them in a very interesting and iconic way.
For the paintings it is true that I often make the characters from the front, there are still some 3⁄4 and some works with several characters, but it is more rare. The reason is simple that I like looks and faces. They are not portraits since they are not about anyone in particular. Yes, you can notice the faces with different natural proportions, but this is a choice and they are reinterpretations according to my desires.
How did you get into art? How long have you been painting? And do you do other types of art or just painting? Tell us your story and how it evolved.
I have been coming to art for as long as I can remember. I have always drawn since I was a child and I never stopped. In the early 90’s my first graffs. Pure self-taught I tried in parallel several techniques (inks, charcoal, oil, acrylic, spray, airbrush …). While I was a student I created many posters, logos, record sleeves for various events, concerts… As for airbrushing, I am a biker and what could be nicer than having a personalized helmet. I have made a number of helmets, motorcycle fairings, cars, boats, arcade terminals… I started to make canvases simply after a period of unemployment. I decided to try and get back to a spirit of Fun Street Pop Geek revisited. It’s been 12 years now and it allowed me to find my first art gallery with whom I still work.
Have you had any exhibitions? Tell us more about it. In what places and on what topics?
Thanks to this main art gallery and others I have done many exhibitions with other artists such as Spark, Hiro Ando, Greg Léon Guillemin or Mr Garcin… Solo shows, art fairs like Art Up in France, an exhibition in the USA… I am also represented as a resident artist in galleries in France, Spain and Japan.
Are there collectives or groups in which you are active and with which you worked together? Or do you work more alone?
I work alone. But I remain open to certain collaborations, I may have one in mind but it’s a surprise. For the moment I am preparing a solo show for the end of the year.
Do you have certain triggers that promotes your inspiration and that you need when being creative? For many it is music that is important in the process of creating, for others it is silence or certain places. Do you have similar things?
For me, the triggers are not music, although it is essential for the realization. My triggers are multiple: discussion with my wife, friends, film, a TV show, an article in a magazine, a photo. I remain open to everything and I wait for a concept, an idea or an atmosphere to touch me. For the realization on the other hand the music is essential and like your friend I have my headphones and my playlist adapted according to the ambiences and the desires. It’s essential to cut yourself off from the world, to stimulate yourself and to be able to create.
You said that you used to do graffiti outdoors. But that was a long time ago. But what is the difference for you between painting on the wall and painting on canvas?
The big difference between painting a wall and a canvas is that a wall has to be finished in one night, without getting caught LOL. Just kidding. No, the spray can and the airbrush work much the same way, that’s why I chose this technique. The medium itself doesn’t really matter to me except for some constraints of paint adhesion on some plastics. I chose to use mostly canvas simply because there are no problems of aging of the substrate or the combo paint support. No bad surprises. Also because canvas is safe and easy to frame.
Since you often use characters or personalities from cult movies, comics or books, I think you are certainly a big comic fan? One of your works is also like a comic book cover, the one with Spider Man. Do you get some of your inspiration from comics like that? And do you still enjoy reading comics currently?
I’m a big fan of comics, mainly European and US comics. I have a lot of them at home. At the moment I’m going back to the classic YIU series, La caste des Meta-barons, Peter pan de Loisel, legendes des contrées oubliées de Chevalier et Ségur, Tank Girl or Enki Bilal. The comics are depending on the mood with a small preference for DC and independents.
You have painted a lot of cool characters like Judge Dredd, William Wallace from Braveheart, the Gremlins, Boba Fett or even Spock. Which are your favorite characters. And what’s your favorite, Star Wars or Star Trek? Or both?
A slight preference for the Star Wars universe, but I like Star Trek too! I can’t deny my geeky side LOL. After that there are many universes. I also like Alien, but it’s a little bit harder to make a canvas with my style on that subject.
Which other artists inspire you or have inspired you? Are there any creative people who have influenced you with their art?
I tried not to be inspired by other artists, not to follow a movement. I tried to create my own style, the one I like and in which I feel good. I believe I have succeeded because I have been confirmed that my works are recognizable and that gallery owners have difficulty classifying me.
Tell us more about the gallery you work with now which is named Christiane Valle gallery. So that’s where interested people can see your works in real live?
The Christiane Valle gallery is my favorite gallery. We have been working together for 11 years and we have gone beyond the professional stage for several years. The gallery is almost 60 years old. I have known the 3 generations of gallery owners and they have become friends. Thanks to them I am permanently exposed in Japan and many projects are in progress. The interested persons can contact them and they deliver international. Moreover the gallery has a large part of my stocks and also works with other galleries. As for my studio, it’s at home, it’s my little universe and few people are allowed to see it.
Do you have artworks in other countries? And in which countries would you like to exhibit?
There are permanent exhibitions in France, Spain or Japan. Also I have had works exhibited in Belgium, Switzerland or the USA. After that I would like to be exhibited in Germany. But I know that the art market there is difficult with a lot of good artists and it’s hard to get in, especially with street art. I would also like the USA or Canada, but it is also a difficult market. I remain open to all opportunities and I am working on it slowly, one of the proofs is that we are talking about it at the moment!
Are there any new projects or exhibitions planned for the near future? What are your ideas for new artworks?
The next solo show is planned for September on the theme cinema and animation. I’m in the middle of a big exhibition with about 50 paintings and some unpublished ones. All info about it will be published in time on my channels.
INFOTHEK
Artist: GERAUD DELTEIL
Website: https://www.geraud-delteil.fr
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Geraud-Delteil-Street-Art/100063097277138
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gerauddelteil
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gerauddelteil
Artsy: https://www.artsy.net/artist/geraud-delteil
Gallery: CHRISTIANE VALLÉ
Website: https://www.galeriechristianevalle.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/galeriechristianevalle
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/galeriechristianevalle
Artsy: https://www.artsy.net/partner/galerie-christiane-valle
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@galeriechristianevalle4206
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