Karine Locke

I was born in a region where light is a source of inspiration, in Toulon in 1969.

I discovered painting thanks to my grandfather, Amédée Pianfetti, a recognized and highly rated painter from Toulon, whom I have always seen painting with relish. My job as a teacher in which I invested myself enormously and the education of my three children occupied a large part of my life.

In 2016, I met the man of my life and he gave me wings. I embark on the projects that were close to my heart: painting and writing.

I resign from my job to throw myself fully into painting, a crazy project, but one that I'm trying.

Self-taught, I started painting in January 2021; my paintings have evolved over almost two years. However, there remains a real constant: acrylic, color and emotion.

Mostly semi-abstract at the very beginning of my project, my paintings gradually give way to total abstraction, an aesthetic on the material where the use of the knife takes on all its meaning.

The color is always very present: the palette deployed is shimmering, lively. I am more and more interested in lines and perspective effects. The horizontal line is often used to represent the horizon, which evokes rest, calm and tranquility in my eyes. The diagonal line, also called the oblique line, symbolizes movement and dynamism. The vertical line symbolizes simplicity, but also rigor and determination.

My work is as spontaneous as possible, immediate, which allows me to express my feelings, my mood at the time.

I always place myself between the dream and the reality, providing a beautiful opening on the dream, on the escape and the imagination.

My wish is that the spectators let themselves be carried away by what they feel when looking at my paintings. I make it a point of honor not to omit the human dimension through my paintings; the explosion of colors is the proof: try to provoke joy, wonder, serenity, emotions! Isn't that, after all, the purpose of art?

My inspirations are diverse: Amédée Pianfetti, Jadis, Crozat Coulmont, Francis Haguier, Gustav Klimt, Claude Monet, Sam Gilliam.