Galatee Martin

One day I was looking at my IG and her work poped up. As usual, I do, I started my research about her and I discovered an eclectic personality that is able to speak with all the arts: from painting to photography, from fashion to illustration. Her vision is bold and clear, her inspirations are from classical references like the Venus of Milo, an example of romanticism, a classic figure we admire for her imperfection.

instagram.com/galateemartin

With what have you done breakfast this morning?
Usually, I have green tea first and then I eat cereals and fruits always with honey and sesame seeds. I am a honey addict.

Where are you from and where do you live right now?
I grew up in Normandy. My parents both architects bought an old abbey Le Breuil-Benoit where I grew up.
I did my studies in Paris, then at Les Beaux-Arts in Lyon and then at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam. After that, I decided to move back to Paris. I live nearby Les Buttes-Chaumont in the 19th.

What is the first thing you do every morning to get the day off to the right start?
I open my window, boil water for the tea and put on some nice music according to my mood.

Could you describe your studio?
My studio is a shared space with eight other artists. It is located in Montreuil; Paris suburb. We found it only 4 months ago and I fell already at home. It is a large bright room with high windows.
I have a big white wall for myself and a corner with shelves where I do small settings with objects which inspire me. I create small universe with corals, plants, postal cards, ceramics.
I don’t really have a desk, I rarely need one, I work against the wall and on the floor. Next door there is a ceramic studio, we have to go through to access to our space.

What kind of thoughts do you have when you paint? Are you in a sort of meditation?
I can’t really describe what is happening in my head when I paint but I can tell that I feel good. It is totally a meditation.
I usually start to paint really late during the day, almost always at night when I am alone in the atelier.
I play nice music. I am still a bit uncomfortable when people watch me paint. It took me a while to learn to paint with others around, it is a private moment that I don’t necessarily want to share.
It is like a performance.

What does the blue color mean to you? And what about the warm colors like peach, orange and red?
Blue is the warmest color, blue gives to other colors their vibrations. I am recently trying to add colors in my paintings. For a while it was only blue, It was pleasant.
Once someone orders me a painting with colors; «every color except blue» he said. It was a challenge and now I enjoy it more and more.

When did you start painting and how did you understand it will be kind of your job?
I was painting a lot as a child with my brother and sisters at our grandparent’s house. Every summer we used to go to their countryside house in the middle of nowhere. There was nothing to do, so we were painting in the garden on wood boards. Today this house is still filled with our old paintings.
I started painting on walls for the first time last year for my graduation at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie where I did study fashion. To present my collection I did a huge painting to display my clothes.
From there, a woman contacted me to order a wall painting for her living room.
It was in a big Amsterdam house. I was left alone to paint during the day and completely free on the subject I was going to draw. It took me a day and I almost didn’t stop, I was fully into it. I realized at this moment that paintings on walls will be my dream job.

What are your favorite things about the neighborhood you live in?
How people dress. My neighborhood is close to Gare du Nord, there is an important African population.
In the greyness of Paris seeing their colorful outfits bring me joy. I admire how they combine colors together, their hairstyle. They are beautiful. I also love the parc Les Buttes-Chaumont which is 5min walking from my place.

Do you practice any sport?
I do. I swim and I do yoga.

What would you write on a billboard in the center of the city where you live?
I would say something ecological for sure. Maybe this quote of Darwin;
«It is not the strongest of the species that survives but the most adaptable.»

When do you feel energetic the most?
When I am with my friends, people I love. It is an energetic source for me, I feel alive with them around.

Do you have rituals that help you feel confident about yourself?
I dance in the morning, usually under the shower or in my bedroom.

What comes to mind if you think of the term imperfection?
I think of the Venus de Milo. She is perfect because she is unperfect.

Which one of your qualities you are more proud of?
I am positive


7 Small Talks

• Your everyday uniform: I wear clogs every day
• Favorite flowers: red amaryllis
• Your comfort food: pasta
• Your favorite magazine: Apartemento
• The book of your heart: Flowers for Algernon of Daniel Keyes
• Your favorite artist: If I have to say just one I would say, Picasso
• Suggest a friend of yours to interview: Silvana Macnulty