French artist, Nadine Defer creates a rich, well crafted painting style that combines a unique graphic aesthetic with bursts of colors and matter in order to fully bring her creations to life. Her preferred subject matter: the human body. When it comes down to it, her one true interest is « living things ». There’s no hidden messages or political agenda behind any of her pieces, just art at its purest form.
At the end of the day, there is only painting!
Born in 1954 in Northern France, from a ceramic artist father and a musical mother, she always dreamed of attending the “Beaux Arts“ in Paris. Going with more job security, just like her parents did, she becomes a nurse and on her off time, does pottery with her father.
In 1984, Nadine Defer moves to Southern France and frequently attends watercolor classes and in order to became a student of water colour, then Life Drawing (also known as Figure Drawing).
But in 2010, she finally quits her jobs in order to dedicate herself entirely to her craft.
Drawing at the center of her artistic expression
Almost as an extension of her own body, her canvas becomes a sort of second “skin“. The bodies she creates each have their own story. As if they had lived a fulfilling life before being imprisoned in the canvas. The larger formats of her paintings also allow for almost life-sized body recreations, each displaying their own physicality.
Everything begins and ends with drawing, even though she’s working with real life models. Paying close attention to every little detail, every movement, every look, every moving body part, Defer has an almost kinesthetic that guides her artistic choices and movements while preparing her drawings.
An expressionist and spontaneous palette
Nadine Defer’s palette is original, bold and incredibly personal - like her own unique signature. She isn’t afraid to take risks and doesn’t shy away from her expressionist tendencies, which really add to the strength of her works.
The colors become matter by asserting themselves through a certain autonomy: drips, impasto, blank canvas in places, creating overflow, spontaneity and the unexpected. This is probably where the "impulsive" dimension of her paintings is hidden.
Artist Quote
“The body is a fascinating subject to work with. Everyone and anyone can be moved by its sheer power. Whether it be nude depictions or wonderful portraits, the body will always manage to fascinate us.“
