Q&A: J*WLS

February 27, 2009

Q&A: J*WLS

Name / Alias: J*WLS

Where are you originally from?
From a rainy-but-heart-warming city in the north of France called Lille.

What do you currently do for a living? I’m a freelance illustrator/graphic designer

When did your love for art come into existence?
Since I got a pencil in my hand… My family always pushed me to do all kind of creative workshops since I was very young. I also grew up as a single child, so I built up my little own inside world, always scribbling out its foundations.

What inspires you in a daily pursuit of life? Love….People….Big cities!

Any wardrobe trademarks? I’m not the brand-type kind of girl; I love to mix it all (vintage, basics…). Some would see my drawers as a mess, but I always end up picking the right stuff.

Top 5 songs on your playlist?
Right now…

1. I’m addicted to ADA – “Cool my fire, I’m burning”
2. I go crazy on “Rock the casbah” by The Clash
3. I get hypnotized on “Come around” – M.I.A. (feat Timbaland)
4. Love forever: Madlib – “Shades of Blue”
5. Lately: Mayer Hawthorne “Just ain’t gonna work out”

Favorite places, cities, retreats?

Big cities I lived in: Seattle, Tokyo, London & lately my new home downtown Paris, it feels really cozy and I love to invite my friends over for dinner. I used to be the worst cook ever, but as I love good food, I had to make some efforts.

What books are you currently reading?

I’m more into the magazines/art books stuff, because it’s part of my job. I feed my brain & inspiration with tons of visuals. I went to see David La Chapelle exhibition this WE, more than ever, “Heaven and Hell” is on my shopping list.

What new projects are you building on right now?

Keep working along with Linkartz that enabled me to take part in cool events in France, like the Who’s Next Fashion Trade show in Paris. I also joined lately a collective of international artists in Paris, called WORKS. We have a workshop at LeCentQuatre, which is the greatest place to be right now. I love the people involved in this, we had a first exhibition 2 weeks ago and I’m expecting to do great things together.

What’s the most memorable moment of your career thus far?

Leaving everything behind me (a nice apt, a cozy life and the coolest cat!) to follow my man in Japan for a year. The best choice I have ever made. It also gave me a feature in a great book about artists based in Asia (Point East by viction:ary). Tokyo will remain one of the most inspiring places to me.

Favorite local spot you feel people need to check out?

In Paris:
- Galeries: L’issue & La galerie du jour d’Agnès B, close to Beaubourg.
- Favorite shopping area : rue Tiquetonne (Episode) // shops & cafés in Le Marais
London
- Brick Lane!! The bagel shop, the Laden Room (most amazing young designers stuffs) and the pedestrian street of the 1001 café are my favorites hangs out
Tokyo
- Shimokitazawa where we lived for some time (young, peaceful, a village in the big Tokyo)
- Shibuya – Harajuku area: TokyuHands , THE 8-floor-store to get ALL kinds of stuffs for creative activities – and the UT store (amazingly cheap tee shirts series)

What super hero powers do you wish you had?

Wonder woman, I am dying to have her outfit and super powers! There’s something terribly erotic about her, I like her strength & sensuality. Although my boyfriend thinks she sucks and would rather see me as Barbarella.

If you could interview someone else, who and why?

My cat. I wonder if her little princess life at my grand-parents is the sweetest thing in the world or if biting my feet in early morning to get the foooooood was making it more exciting in the end