Conversation with Artist Who Creates Enchanting Woodcuts and Carved Paintings Drawing Inspiration from Fairy Tales
Title: Beyond the Screen: How Matt Roussel Discovered His Artistic Identity in Woodcuts, Ceramics, and Colorful Sculptures
In 2015, French artist Matt Roussel underwent a creative transformation during a journey to Mongolia. Once a thriving 3D illustrator, Roussel recognized in the vast landscapes and vibrant cultures of Central Asia that he craved a shift—something more tactile, more intimate. This epiphany redirected his creative journey, initiating an extraordinary multidisciplinary exploration that merges traditional methods with narrative artistry, captivating art enthusiasts across the globe.
From Digital Landscapes to Tangible Art Forms
Prior to his enlightening Mongolian experience, Roussel was entrenched in the digital sphere, crafting sleek 3D illustrations. However, despite his professional achievements, he felt an emptiness in digital creations. “I was yearning for an experience that would remove me from the computer,” he states. “I sought to engage with my hands and break free from the digital realm.” His quest directed him towards traditional printmaking, inspired by his wife’s copperplate engravings. Ultimately, it was the graphic and physical allure of woodcutting that truly ignited his passion.
At first, Roussel concentrated on conventional woodcuts—carefully carved blocks yielding prints adorned with striking lines and whimsical patterns. These artworks quickly gained popularity in exhibitions. Yet, Roussel didn’t halt there. He soon ventured into raku ceramics, a Japanese firing technique known for its unpredictably cracked surfaces and rustic charm. His focus shifted once more—this time to merging woodcuts with painting, leading to what he describes as “painted engraved wood.” These amalgamated art forms blend the meticulousness of carving with the vibrant expressiveness of color, creating a novel and tactile aesthetic language.
Tales Interwoven with Oddity and Delight
What distinguishes Roussel’s creations is not just the range of materials but also their immersive, narrative essence. Drawing inspiration from his childhood aspiration to be a children’s book illustrator, Roussel approaches each artwork as if bringing a fable to life. His characters often inhabit fantastical realms—creatures bearing angelic faces, enigmatic expressions, and exaggerated features that evoke both whimsy and intrigue.
“I aim to engulf the viewer in a world apart from our own to provide them with pleasure, joy, and strangeness,” he explains. This aspiration is palpable in every piece, whether it’s a woodcut of a legendary creature, a ceramic form inspired by folklore, or a painted sculpture that appears to emerge from a fairy tale.
His influences are just as varied as the themes he explores. As a youth, Roussel immersed himself in art history encyclopedias, fostering a love for Paleolithic, Asian, Slavic, Flemish, and Aztec art. While he seldom embraces abstraction, his profound respect for figurative and decorative traditions enriches each of his creations.
The Creative Journey: Energy Meets Intuition
Roussel’s interdisciplinary practice exhibits fluidity. He shifts effortlessly between 2D and 3D mediums, guided not by rigid timelines but by emotional impulses and energetic needs. “Engraving is relatively straightforward. Painting demands greater focus and energy. Sculpture, however, is significantly more challenging,” he remarks. “The smallest alteration in volume can profoundly impact your sculpture.”
Despite the varying technical approaches, one consistent thread runs throughout all of Roussel’s works: storytelling. Whether stemming from ancient myths or spontaneous creativity, each piece embodies a narrative essence. His prints often delve into sensory experiences, while paintings enhance their visual narratives with rich decorative motifs. Even when crafting an item for interior design, Roussel ensures that emotional resonance remains intact.
Art as a Shared Emotional Experience
For Roussel, the act of creating art transcends materials and techniques; it’s fundamentally about connection. He aspires for each piece to resonate deeply with viewers. Frequently, he’s absent during the sale of his work, yet he describes the transaction as a profound moment of mutual acknowledgment. “It’s a unique and extraordinary experience when two individuals, unfamiliar with each other, connect over an object that evokes such emotions,” Roussel reflects. “In life, few moments evoke such strong feelings for a stranger, save for love.”
This belief—that art can bridge the gap between creator and observer—is evident not only in sales but in the delightful and whimsical reactions his art tends to inspire. With every fantastical creature and vibrantly painted surface, Roussel’s creations invite audiences to briefly escape reality, entering a more colorful and imaginative realm.
The Horizon of Matt Roussel’s Artistic Journey
While Roussel does not favor one medium over another, it is evident that his interdisciplinary approach is not merely a transient phase; it has become an integral part of his identity as an artist. Whether he is rolling ink onto paper, crafting sculptures,