Today we’d like to introduce you to Emilie Eliopoulos.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I’ve always gravitated toward activities involving art over anything else. My grandpa was a self-taught artist, and I grew up watching him paint en plein air in his hydrangea-filled backyard in Normandy, France. In high school, I would use every opportunity to sneak up to the top floor of the art department so I could sketch. To this day, I continue to follow my passion for creating.
I am a very detail-oriented artist. My default process is to turn the subject of my art into carefully rendered versions of reality on the canvas. Throughout my education, my mentors would tell me, “Be less hyper-realistic in my art, be more conceptual…” and as an artist, it made me insecure. There were times when I didn’t think my work was “interesting” but as I have matured, so has my style and my ability to question what even is “interesting”? I’ve come to the conclusion that a viewer’s interest is personal – it has history. These days, I create artwork for my audience that has tiny meticulously placed details and careful touches that can bring back a flood of memories on sight.
This attention to detail is what makes my art come to life. It enables me to explore the individuality of humankind. I especially love to explore the nuances of the human figure: the subtleties in people’s facial features, coloring, fashion choices, etc. When I moved to New Orleans, I quickly became inspired by the uniqueness of the city’s architecture in the same way I was attracted to paint humans.
Please tell us about your art.
Currently, the intention of my art is to evoke a sense of nostalgia. These deeply meaningful, personal 2D representations, are often made with a specific viewer in mind. The subject matter of my portraits ranges from realistic renditions of loved ones frozen in a specific moment, to homes that were once the setting to an impactful chapter in one’s life.
I use acrylic paint, watercolor, and ink to create my work. I add meticulous detail through these mediums in hopes of capturing abstract aspects of familiarity, the kind of aspects that are hard to put a finger on, or put into words.
My work is inspired by the memories and emotions that come with the fleeting moments that we all try to hang on to. I attempt to cast a light on the settings and moments that are so intimately influential for my clients. For instance, upon receiving my painting of his old college house, my client started to cry– so I know my message came across.
I want people to understand how personal my process is. Although it’s hyper-realistic, my paintings don’t just develop out of any given image. My relationship with the customer really influences my work; by the time I finish a piece for someone, I’ve created a relationship between myself and the subject that I am painting, and it shows.
Given everything that is going on in the world today, do you think the role of artists has changed? How do local, national, or international events and issues affect your art?
Honestly, the events and issues of the world at large don’t really have a major place in my art. Most of my creations are deeply personal, almost like an escape from the hustle and bustle of the news cycle and global politics.
My art puts the viewer in their own world, right back in the moments that the piece calls them back to.
That being said, I think social media has really changed the game for art – as a medium of expression and an industry. Today, our art is more accessible than ever before, and we can reach new audiences with a click of a button. It’s powerful, but it also adds pressure. Sometimes, you see art given a new life with every share or retweet – and that directly influences the livelihood of the artists.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Two ways!
1. Follow me on Instagram! My username is @emili.opoulos, and I’m often updating my feed with the work I do for clients and myself.
2. Check out my website at https://emilieeliopoulos.com/. You can see all my work, and you can even order a commission right there on the site.
Contact Info:
- Website: emilieeliopoulos.com
- Email: emilie@emilieeliopoulos.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/emili.opoulos
Image Credit:
Nora Kaboulov
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