Camille Witt welcomed us to her Paris apartment, which doubles as her studio

Camille Witt welcomed us to her Paris apartment, which doubles as her studio - 2
Camille Witt welcomed us to her Paris apartment, which doubles as her studio - 3
Camille Witt welcomed us to her Paris apartment, which doubles as her studio - 4
Camille Witt welcomed us to her Paris apartment, which doubles as her studio - 5

From colourful floral prints reminiscent of vintage wallpaper, to playful and witty illustrations or brilliant commissions, Camille Witt's work instantly makes you smile. Artsper met the artist-influencer at home to find out more about her numerous creative talents. Her Parisian apartment reflects her personality; colourful and warm. There, surrounded by works of art by photographers like Gaëlle Simon, and paintings by artists who inspire her, she has transformed her living room into a studio for all her wonderful creations.

1. Could you tell us a little more about your career?

I didn't start out as an illustrator but as a photographer, then a graphic designer. I studied visual communication and artistic direction, and was lucky enough to join a training program to start working as a graphic designer. During my first year I worked for the brand Ines de la Fressange and while there started drawing again, doing watercolour illustrations of Paris's most iconic places for Ines. I continued working in fashion as a graphic designer for a few more years before eventually stopping, choosing instead to become a full-time freelance illustrator.

2. When did you discover your love for drawing?

When I was little! On Wednesday afternoons I'd do lots of activities; pottery, dance, reading lessons and art, which I think I enjoyed the most. I continued it at college, where I naturally gravitated towards options and specialities in visual arts, before starting art preparatory classes. I think I've always been immersed in it in some way.

Camille Witt welcomed us to her Paris apartment, which doubles as her studio - 6
Camille Witt welcomed us to her Paris apartment, which doubles as her studio - 7

3. Which do you prefer; photography or drawing?

It's so hard to choose; I recently switched back to film photography and am loving it! However, I think art makes me most happy at the moment, as there are infinite possibilities, interpretations and techniques, and I love the idea that 'anything is possible'. My answer may well change in a few months or years though, who knows!

4. Do you find being an influencer works well with your artistic career?

It might come as a surprise, but yes! In all honesty it's actually what helped make my work known when I started. It is much easier when you have people who follow you and enjoy when you share your work from the start, like I did, already having a fairly large following on Instagram when I started drawing. I can get my community to take part, ask for their opinion, etc… I think social media can be really beneficial for artists.

In my case it's been fantastic! Although one of its perverse effects is imposter syndrome. You feel less legitimate and ask yourself if people only like you, rather than your work, and whether what you make is actually good and has value, or if it's just because you have lots of followers.

5. What's your favourite place to find art in Paris?

The streets! Paris's streets are works of art in themselves, you need only look around; fountains and statues everywhere, even the streetlights are beautiful. And street art too; walls covered in collages, etc. Aside from that, and in more of an institutional sense, I am a huge fan of the centre Pompidou and the Grand Palais for exhibitions.

Camille Witt welcomed us to her Paris apartment, which doubles as her studio - 8
Camille Witt welcomed us to her Paris apartment, which doubles as her studio - 9

6. Which artists particularly inspire you?

There are so many!  Hilma af Klint, Ines Longevial, Léa Augereau, Pénélope Bagieu, Joann Sfar, Soledad Bravi and the photographer Alain Cornu…

7. If you had to have one artwork in your collection, which would it be?

I think probably a painting by Ines Longevial. I went to her last exhibition in Paris and am completely in awe of her work.

8. We notice you draw many sketches of daily life: what are your main sources of inspiration?

Exactly that, my daily life! I love doing quick little illustrations of what has made me laugh during the day; whether it's something I see or a situation I'm in, a moment with my boyfriend or funny stories told by my friends. I like depicting those small scenes which seem of little significance day-to-day, but which are actually full of humour and tenderness - I find that beautiful.

9. Have you got any exciting projects in 2020?

Yes I have a few at the moment that I can't wait to tell you all about! One's a fun collaboration with a cosmetics brand that I really like for a charity.

The other one is with a friend for something very special but at the moment I can't say any more than that, as it's the beginning of the project. And - I hope - maybe an exhibition!

Camille Witt welcomed us to her Paris apartment, which doubles as her studio - 10
Camille Witt welcomed us to her Paris apartment, which doubles as her studio - 11

Their favorite artworks

Photography, Si, Gaëlle Simon

Si

Gaëlle Simon

Photography - 29.5 x 19.7 x 0.2 inch

$426

Fine Art Drawings, La difficulté d'etre, Jean Cocteau

La difficulté d'etre

Jean Cocteau

Fine Art Drawings - 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.4 inch

Sold

Painting, #1194, Arvid Boecker

#1194

Arvid Boecker

Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 2.2 inch

Sold

Painting, #1253, Arvid Boecker

#1253

Arvid Boecker

Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 2.2 inch

Sold

Painting, The Painter, Iszchan Nazarian

The Painter

Iszchan Nazarian

Painting - 39.4 x 29.5 x 0.4 inch

Sold

Photography, Lost & Found, Théo Gosselin

Lost & Found

Théo Gosselin

Photography - 11.8 x 7.9 x 0.8 inch

$452

Photography, Lost & Found, Maud Chalard

Lost & Found

Maud Chalard

Photography - 7.9 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

$452