Marie Le Tourneau is a veritable culture vulture who loves coffee, kicks asses in Star Wars related trivia and has recently created a memory game called “SUSHI!SUSHI” (how cool is that?).
She was born and raised in New York but her family comes from Italy. And she is super proud of these roots carrying on family traditions like growing grapes and figs in her garden and recreating her great-grandmother Girardi’s delicious (and super secret!) marinara sauce.
But aside from all this, Marie is known for her amazing drawings. Her illustrations are like little pieces of stories with kids and animals, caught in funny situations and will surely leave you with a real big smile. Her book The Mice of Bistrot des Sept Freres which she wrote and illustrated) won Fore Word Magazine Book of the Year bronze medal in 2006.
Now she continues to write, draw and paint for herself, while working as a freelance artist in New York City.
:: Why and when did you started Le French Circus? I started leFrenchCircus this past winter (Feb 2010). I was out of work (as most artists are) and stumbled upon Etsy quite by accident. To be honest, I had no idea it even existed (truly shameful!) and I could barely believe what I saw there. Amazing! A website for artists??? I was so inspired (the shops, the sellers, the items) I immediately knew it was for me and I got to work straight away building my own shop. I am a children’s book author and illustrator and graphic designer, so already had a body of work with which to get started.
:: Where do you get your inspiration from? Oh my goodness, it’s so hard to say. It comes from everywhere – from life, from music, from art and stories. Something as simple as the way a bird flies sideways or the color and form of a flower sparks creative ideas in my head. I am also inspired by other artists, and of course my own children. I am a big fan of the post impressionist movement.
:: Who is your ideal buyer? My ideal buyer is someone who thinks outside the box and wants to explore beyond commercial trends and mass-produced items. An individual who truly appreciates and loves unique things. They would definitely have to be a lover and supporter of the arts in all forms!
::What is your favorite NYC place? There are so many to choose from! My favorite place would have to be lower Manhattan, anywhere south of 14th Street. I am in love with the Chrysler building – it’s art in the form of a building! I am also really quite in love with to Brooklyn, too. Brooklyn has a thriving art community and amazing architecture!
::Do you think New York can still be considered the place-to-be for young creatives? Without question! New York has an energy – a vibe – that you find no place else. It’s a rich, ever-evolving stew of culture, art, people and ideas from all over the world. New York breeds creativity. Just a simple walk down a single street and you will be inspired.
::Where do you shop in NYC? Little artsy places tucked into nooks and alleyways. Thrift shops, mom and pop establishments, independent boutiques. Anywhere you turn, you cannot help but stumble upon the next great shop.
:: If I say Italy, you say…? *AMORE*! My family roots are in Italy! On my father’s side, all of my great-grandparents were from Italy and I was raised in a very traditional (and very large) Italian family here in New York. When my great-grandparents came to America, they brought with them their culture and traditions. These traditions were where passed down, and I carry my Italian family heritage with me proudly.
Lovely!