Since establishing her new countryside studio set in the sleepy French countryside in 2019, painter Amylee has employed a new direction in her practise. The combination of her acclaimed floral paintings charged with texture, as well as the shape of her figurative pieces has made headway for a "new fashion" and collectors absolutely love it. A colour purist at heart, Amylee's bold combination of unmixed, gleaming colours has also evolved her technique to include advanced patina-work, metal leafing and weathering effects. The fusion has forged a profound and new direction for the France-based artist as the efficacious outcome has brought refreshed vigour to her paintings which enhances their surroundings, wherever they may be displayed.

Nature supplies Amylee with vibrant energy and has continued to inspire the painter throughout her artistic journey from the earliest days of her career as a textile designer. It can be witnessed on the surfaces of her artwork in abundance - the flowers, birds and butterflies that decorate Amylee's glamourized style of pop portraits and floral emit a joyful disposition that collectors have come to excitedly anticipate. Every composition is a cheerful proposition for any household. Amylee admits that as soon as the weather is nice, and the sky is blue her energy peaks. "My motivation is increased 10-fold - I want to enter my workshop, take my brushes and let my ideas arise. Unlike the grey days that make me want to write with a nice cup of hot tea by my side."

Though relishing a hands on approach to her artwork, Amylee is different to most creators. She is a person who seeks pleasure in the abundant opportunities that new digital channels can offer to share her passion for painting, as well as the often-messy action of artmaking itself. Most recently on social media through the period of global lockdown, the artist joined a movement combining the power of many other artists called 'ARTIST SUPPORT PLEDGE' to support each other during a time where opportunities online are thriving for any up-coming artist wishing to make a presence, the saying goes "A creative generosity creates a generous creativity". Due to the recent confinements, many less-established artists around the world have found themselves without work, teaching, technical support, gallery work, exhibitions and sales have disappeared. A truly kind spirit, Amylee lent her considerable international profile behind the campaign to the success of all. In Amylee's words "This opportunity has already allowed me to sell my art for a fantastic cause!”

The concept is a simple one. You post images of your work to sell for no more than $200 (£200, €200) each. Anyone can then buy the work. Every time you reach $1000 of sales you pledge to buy another artist's work for $200. Anyone in the world can take part, and is a truly awe-inspiring movement underpinned by artists supporting artists.

This entrepreneurial outlook merged with both artistic and altruistic ambition has led to her works being represented in galleries and exhibitions of contemporary art in Europe, New York, Singapore and Minsk. Amylee’s colours seduce the viewer it is little wonder that her paintings adorn the walls of several Parisian galleries as well as prestigious hotels.

Wyecliffe were happy to virtually sit down with the artist and chat about how she has adapted to the recent lockdown throughout the pandemic, and how her winning positivity has helped her stay focused on the power of creativity in the face of adversity;

Nature supplies Amylee with vibrant energy and has continued to inspire the painter throughout her artistic journey from the earliest days of her career as a textile designer. It can be witnessed on the surfaces of her artwork in abundance - the flowers, birds and butterflies that decorate Amylee's glamourized style of pop portraits and floral emit a joyful disposition that collectors have come to excitedly anticipate. Every composition is a cheerful proposition for any household. Amylee admits that as soon as the weather is nice, and the sky is blue her energy peaks. "My motivation is increased 10-fold - I want to enter my workshop, take my brushes and let my ideas arise. Unlike the grey days that make me want to write with a nice cup of hot tea by my side."

Amylee’s colours seduce the viewer and her paintings are now represented in galleries and exhibitions of contemporary art in Europe, New York, Singapore and Minsk. Her paintings now dress the walls of several Parisian galleries as well as prestigious hotels. Her work is widely represented at art fairs and exhibitions in France. Amylee Portraits is influenced by pattern, both from the 70's and modern Couture, but also from the great masters of painting that she studied at University.

Before staying confined to our homes, I had several projects on offer but currently, I am still very busy, which is hugely positive. I contribute to the writing of articles in the French and English press. My articles can be read monthly in Great Art London and Le Géant des Beaux-Arts France, tutorials or tips that are used by apprentice artists. Daler-Rowney and Cleopatra also recently asked me for an artistic collaboration. At the same time, the Montreal artist agency Art x Terra often invites me to chair at webinars to speck about the artist as a real profession. I love my job for that because my name travels without leaving my home.

So I plan my days in half-day that I devote to writing and painting which are my favourite times. On the painting side, I work on my technique, I experiment with other atmospheres, other colours, other mediums, other formats. I love to paint on large canvases. My portfolio lights up with new portraits and other abstract floral paintings.

In a slightly murky time like lockdown, here are the tips that I want to share with the artists.

Tip # 1 is to avoid the "go to bed late and wake up late" routine. A routine that often sets in when you spend time watching TV and video games. 2 years ago, we decided that my husband and I would not buy a television for our new home. We went back to reading or other less time-consuming activities

Tip # 2: Mute all notifications from our social networks because a lot of people are active on the internet during lockdown. People who spend their day sharing uninteresting videos. Scary information that degrades our daily motivation and imagination.

Tip # 3: Take advantage of the time that lockdown offers us to follow training. Right now, for example, I am training in digital marketing. And yes, in addition to everything I do, I train. I spend some time in the evening watching videos and learning new things that will help me later in my promotion as an artist. Nothing is lost in lockdown!

Coloring is a great idea when you want to start a creative activity and you don't really know how to draw. There are all kinds, the coloring mandalas are very relaxing. A box of coloured pencils and markers is sufficient. No need to make a big investment in equipment.

There are also pre-designed paper pads that allow you to practice watercolour with ease. We can then have fun painting landscapes, still life, etc.

Creative collage is also a great activity to have fun with a few magazines and a little glue. No need for a lot of equipment there too!

1. On the studio side, the practice of art journal is very good for reviving creativity and inspiration.
2. To overcome the blank page, I share great advice on this link here
3. I like to have fun with Hirameki, link here
4. To activate my divergent thinking, I know some simple exercises to do with your family link here
5. When my motivation drops, I don't hesitate to do physical activity to clear my brain of negative ideas. There is great YouTube video for practicing at the Power walk at home.
6. After a good sport session, I can go to a session of relaxation and experimentation with colour and paint. Watercolour requires little material and is practiced even in your garden on a block of paper.

"Try to meditate everyday to facilitate inspiration. Walk regularly, if possible. We live in the countryside and very few neighbors surround our house. Take advantage of the lockdown and the beautiful blue sky we have been seeing more and more, go for a ride as I do with my sister’s goats in our country-house, you can pick up inspiration naturally just by doing some form of exercise, short or long. Believe me, it makes a valuable difference as someone who has used this outlook for a long time now."

Though relishing a hands on approach to her artwork, Amylee is different to most creators. She is a person who seeks pleasure in the abundant opportunities that new digital channels can offer to share her passion for painting, as well as the often-messy action of artmaking itself. Most recently on social media through the period of global lockdown, the artist joined a movement combining the power of many other artists called 'ARTIST SUPPORT PLEDGE' to support each other during a time where opportunities online are thriving for any up-coming artist wishing to make a presence, the saying goes "A creative generosity creates a generous creativity". Due to the recent confinements, many less-established artists around the world have found themselves without work, teaching, technical support, gallery work, exhibitions and sales have disappeared. A truly kind spirit, Amylee lent her considerable international profile behind the campaign to the success of all. In Amylee's words "This opportunity has already allowed me to sell my art for a fantastic cause!”

The concept is a simple one. You post images of your work to sell for no more than $200 (£200, €200) each. Anyone can then buy the work. Every time you reach $1000 of sales you pledge to buy another artist's work for $200. Anyone in the world can take part, and is a truly awe-inspiring movement underpinned by artists supporting artists.

This entrepreneurial outlook merged with both artistic and altruistic ambition has led to her works being represented in galleries and exhibitions of contemporary art in Europe, New York, Singapore and Minsk. Amylee’s colours seduce the viewer it is little wonder that her paintings adorn the walls of several Parisian galleries as well as prestigious hotels.

Wyecliffe were happy to virtually sit down with the artist and chat about how she has adapted to the recent lockdown throughout the pandemic, and how her winning positivity has helped her stay focused on the power of creativity in the face of adversity;

"Try to meditate everyday to facilitate inspiration. Walk regularly, if possible. We live in the countryside and very few neighbors surround our house. Take advantage of the lockdown and the beautiful blue sky we have been seeing more and more, go for a ride as I do with my sister’s goats in our country-house, you can pick up inspiration naturally just by doing some form of exercise, short or long. Believe me, it makes a valuable difference as someone who has used this outlook for a long time now."