ARTISTS TO KNOW: MILÉNA BUCHOLZ
MILÉNA BUCHOLZ
Miléna Bucholz is a freelance illustrator and visual artist based in Paris. Inspired by childhood vacations in Guadeloupe, her mother’s native country, and the beauty of biodiversity, her illustrations are vibrant and warm reminders of her culture and identity. As Miléna explores new mediums like 3D for her art, she reminds creatives to honor their individual paths while not feeling the pressure to follow the latest trends.
Milena on vacation in Guadeloupe, Summer 1993
SHEER: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
MILÉNA BUCHOLZ: I am she/her, a biracial woman. Mom is French, African-Caribbean and my dad is French-German. Born in France, raised in the suburbs, a stone's throw away from Paris.
SHEER: What initially led you to pursue art and why illustration specifically?
MB: I was quite introverted as a child, so I made drawing/painting, my comfort zone. It was easier to express through that space rather than interacting with what was going on around me. It remained a hobby, until I had to pick where I was heading, education wise.
With full support from my family, I enrolled in a graphic design course; I did learn a lot, but wasn't particularly interested in pursuing it. I dropped out and ended up in illustration much later, by chance. Working on poster designs for my friend's events.
Illustration is a space where I feel the most comfortable. It’s quite a versatile discipline, as it doesn’t really have any rules on style, technique, and meaning.
An ideal space for me, it gives a feeling of total freedom, creatively.
SHEER: How would you say your cultural/ family upbringing influenced your path to becoming an artist?
MB: Growing up, I was bullied a lot at school for being biracial..so drawing was a therapy, a space where I could escape and relax. It sounds a bit dark but, I don’t think I would've carried on that path otherwise.
Thankfully at home, I had access to music, books, arts, things that sparked curiosity, creativity and growth. Pride for my Caribbean heritage came later on, as an adult. Its been a major influence. I often draw inspiration from time I spent in Guadeloupe. Biodiversity over there feels like a psychedelic dream, my senses are heightened there. The colors are vibrant, the air smells different, the heat...I just love this island.
Of course, the culture there is much more lively compare to France where I've always felt like I had to tone down.
SHEER: What cultural themes do you find most inspiring for your art?
MB: I often look into biodiversity, because of its symbiotic relationship between ecosystems and cultural identities/values. Its a very broad theme, where I find philosophical, scientific, aesthetic resources.
“Pride for my Caribbean heritage came later on, as an adult. Its been a major influence. I often draw inspiration from time I spent in Guadeloupe. Biodiversity over there feels like a psychedelic dream, my senses are heightened there. The colors are vibrant, the air smells different, the heat...I just love this island.
Of course, the culture there is much more lively compared to France where I’ve always felt like I had to tone down.”
SHEER: In what ways does your creative style challenge traditional fine arts expectations?
MB: It is quite hard for me to answer this question, as challenging traditional fine arts is not a motivation.
To be honest, I'd never really thought of it. Maybe, looking back I'll have a better idea of how i've challenged it.
“Im currently testing different softwares and teaching myself 3D. I’m looking forward to seeing what I can come up with. It’s a fun and stimulating space to work in...I feel like this skill is going to be more and more expected from creatives. I’d say being open and curious to new technology can help, however it should not feel mandatory. That’s the beauty of creativity, doing what feels best for you regardless of the outside world.”
SHEER: How would you describe your creative process? Has this changed with the rise of social media and content creation?
My creative process is very structured, sometimes i feel like my life is organised around it haha. I practice intuitive drawing every morning, to warm myself up, its both a workout and meditation.
I do creative thinking and idea exploration before noon, when my mind is sharp and quick. The afternoon, I work on layouts, color/texture picking, fine tuning ongoing artwork.
Social media hasn't affected my creative routine, I use it as a showcase tool only. However my work requires a lot of hours, so Im barely active. It'd be nice to share more often though..
“I was quite introverted as a child, so I made drawing/painting, my comfort zone. It was easier to express through that space rather than interacting with what was going on around me.”
SHEER: What are some ways you would like to expand your art beyond digital images? Why is that important to you?
That's exactly why I picked illustration :) Endless ways of expansion. I'd love to see how I can adapt my style to other mediums, textile, printing, painting, sculpture, and collaborations.
SHEER: How are you approaching the rise of AR/VR as an artist? What are your thoughts on how creatives can thrive in these virtual spaces?
Im currently testing different softwares, and teaching myself 3D. I’m looking forward to see what I can come up with. It is a fun and stimulating space to work in.
Virtual interactivity has been part of our lives for a long time now, and its becoming easier for artists to expand their art on that platform. I feel like this skill is going to be more and more expected from creatives. I'd say being open and curious to new technology can help, however it should not feel mandatory. That’s the beauty of creativity, doing what feels best for you regardless of the outside world.
SHEER: What do you hope people take away from interacting with your art?
I never really thought about it, once my work is out in the world, its not mine anymore. My work is open to interpretation and if it inspires people to create, I'll be the happiest :)
FOLLOW & SUPPORT MILÉNA BUCHOLZ BELOW
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FOLLOW & SUPPORT MILÉNA BUCHOLZ BELOW 〰️
Photography by Nabila Wirakusumah
Valerie Blaise, founder of leather accessories brand Vavvoune describes someone who wears her designs as curious, intentional, and knows what they want. We could feel these qualities immediately as we stepped into the Vavvoune studio in DUMBO, Brooklyn.