PETER FALK, THE actor beloved for his role as Columbo, once said, “My idea of heaven is to wake up, have a good breakfast, and spend the rest of the day drawing.” For many, to have your passion become your profession exists only in dreams.
Bertille de Lestrade, however, a self-taught multidisciplinary artist, – whose work spans illustration, sculpture, embroidery and more – has cultivated a career that fulfills her boundless creativity. Originally from Bordeaux, Bertille has been living and working in Ireland for over a decade. During that time, she developed Darling Toutim, an online business where she sells her gorgeous artwork and sustainable home decor.
Speaking to The Journal, Bertille explains how creative expression has been a natural instinct since childhood. “I don’t have a very formal art background but I was surrounded by it my whole life, thanks to my mother who made all sorts of things and nurtured my creativity from a very young age.”
An exposure to art during her formative years continues to inform and inspire her work today. “I’m a very nostalgic, romantic person so I get inspired by memories a lot, whether they’re personal or collective. Childhood is a big thing for me. I find everyday life can be very dull but also extremely poetic and moving in its mundane quality so I can be inspired by the most simple stuff.”
The vibrant colours and distinct style that distinguishes Bertille’s style brings plenty of personality to a room. Bertille was recently included in Páipéar, a group exhibition by Hang Tough Contemporary, the Dublin gallery and framers, which featured 115 specially commissioned artworks by Irish-based artists. Her piece entitled, ‘Wednesday Morning (Something Inside)’ was one of the highlights from the show. Its pretty pastel hues and unlikely pairing of a skeletal figure and cherubic child is all at once filled with innocence and eeriness.
Scrolling through Bertille’s Instagram, her talent and imagination are abundant across her art and incredible interior style. Sometimes including pictures of her home, her walls are adorned with an enviable collection of illustrations and paintings (some her own, others thrifted) while the tops of cabinets and tables are decorated with simple yet striking sculptures that serve practical purposes as vases and fruit bowls. It’s truly inspiring to see someone fully embracing their individual style as Bertille does.
That confidence in her artistic expression, spread across different fields, took years to develop, Bertille explains. “I used to fear I would never feel legitimate if I didn’t dedicate myself to a single medium but I was so wrong. Working with different things keeps me from getting bored or stuck, it’s an absolute necessity for me. Although, it involves failing quite a bit, obviously! I’m obsessed with texture and that drives me, whatever it is that I do! I had an itch for fibre art for a long time so I’m exploring that at the moment.”
As for the rest of the year, Bertille is busy working towards a significant career milestone: “I have my very first solo show coming with them in 2023, which is incredibly exciting!” We’ll be adding that to our culture calendar.
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