Meet Annie Clavel

We were lucky to catch up with Annie Clavel recently and have shared our conversation below.

Annie, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

When I find myself in a difficult situation, I think of the French writer François Maurois, who wrote a collection of tales and short stories titled Toujours l’inattendu arrive (Always the Unexpected Happens). This reminds me to stay optimistic—after all, the unexpected can bring good things too.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am a painter and a mathematician. I imagine theories in color, shapes, light and movement. Theories are worlds where I like to wander, inventing moments, emotions, and stories. My colorful surfaces depict a universe of fantasies where abstraction might be side by side with figuration. Colors and transparency evoke dreamlike effects.
I am presently working on a series of watercolors on YUPO for an upcoming exhibition: the show “Alive and always on the go” reflects on the enduring influence of human migration and its role in shaping our world. From the earliest tribal movements to contemporary migrations, human beings have continually traversed boundaries. This exhibition is a personal exploration of how historical population flows inspire my artistic expression.
This exhibition will take place at Gallery 825, 825 La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90069, from June 14 to July 11, 2025, with an opening reception on Saturday, June 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I don’t come from a traditional artistic background, nor have I received formal training in the field of art. It was life that guided me along a path I chose to follow. Despite the constraints of this path, I believe I have retained my independence and my desire to avoid ready-made opinions, by preserving my originality. I have always sought to nurture what lies deep within me. From a very young age, I developed a passion for shapes, colors, 2D geometry, and spatial vision. I also cultivated my interest in artistic creation, even though my career as a mathematics teacher and in business management was not initially intended to support this pursuit.
Some attitudes bring nothing: thinking that one is the best, feeling frustrated when not selected for a competition, listening only to compliments, or getting discouraged when reality does not match one’s initial idea. Perseverance and the pursuit of one’s own goals must come first, along with an almost daily practice.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

My family and friends have helped, encouraged, and set an example for me. This allowed me to establish a goal to achieve. Reading has also contributed to my personal reflection. Thanks to my sense of organization, I have been able to successfully carry out a number of projects I undertook.

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Image Credits

Annie Clavel

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