Kevin Douillez shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Kevin, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: When was the last time you felt true joy?
The last time I felt true joy was just a few days ago in New York. Breathing in the fresh air of Central Park and wandering through the city’s museums and galleries made me feel alive and deeply inspired—like I had reconnected with something essential. That energy is still with me today.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a self-taught Belgian artist, and I began painting in 2020 at a moment when my life completely shifted. Painting emerged as a form of therapy—an outlet, a way to stay afloat and to express what I could no longer put into words. Since then, my work has become an intimate exploration in which each canvas carries traces of my emotions, doubts, impulses, and transformations.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
The first time I ever felt powerful was in my studio, when I created an incredible painting. I wasn’t trying to make something beautiful, I just wanted to let my emotions flow. I felt proud of myself; I had managed to pour my state of mind onto the canvas. I was shocked by the result and couldn’t believe I was actually the one who made it. It was in 2020.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain the moment I realized there was a kind of magic in transforming my wounds into something beautiful. I believe we all need to learn to appreciate our scars instead of trying to erase them. For me, abandonment has always been my deepest wound, but painting taught me how to use it, how to turn it into creation instead of silence. That’s the secret, in my opinion: learning to love our wounds and using them in a different, powerful way.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me isn’t completely “me,” especially in my role as an artist. Life on social media isn’t authentic — it’s a showcase, not reality. I’ve learned to have fun with it and not take myself too seriously. No matter what I do, people will always have something to say. As an artist, I accept that there’s a certain level of performance involved, but in the end, what truly matters is being aligned with myself. Everything else just slides off.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had ten years left, I would immediately stop anything that pulls me away from what truly matters. I would settle somewhere sunny, in a studio, and keep painting while being surrounded by my loved ones. I definitely wouldn’t stop working, because one day I’ll disappear, but my paintings will remain. In a way, they make me immortal.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kevindouillez.com
- Instagram: kevindouillez_
Image Credits
crédit:Kevin Douillez
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