Its undeniable that Roussels work possesses that exact sense of immersion.
No matter the medium, his art practically leaps toward its viewer, abounding with a fantastical vibrancy.
Its perhaps unsurprising, then, that Roussel once wanted to be a childrens book illustrator.
Read on for our exclusive interview with the artist.
What originally drew you to woodcuts, printmaking, painted engraved wood, and ceramics?
I then bought a gas kiln and started producing Raku ceramics.
Then the urge to paint came over me.
I wanted to create unique pieces while maintaining the originality of my engravings.
I continued to exhibit these new pieces, and the public loved them.
In 2015, you traveled to Mongolia and have been working with wood engraving and ceramics ever since.
How has that trip and experience informed your work?
This trip to Mongolia revealed to me the need to follow my intuition.
Something just wasnt right.
What is the typical process of creating one of your artworks?
Are there themes you especially like to incorporate across each artwork?
In my prints, I like to explore sensory worlds where imagination is paramount.
Im lucky enough to be able to transition from 3D to 2D quite easily.
This allows me to imagine myself being able to take on any challenge.
(Its unrealistic, of course, but it gives me the confidence to do it.)
You have to be hyper-focused because the slightest change in volume can be decisive for your sculpture.
Your artwork is incredibly playful and illustrative.
How did you develop this particular style, and what were the artistic inspirations leading to its development?
Ive always loved stories, and when I was younger, I wanted to illustrate childrens stories.
So I became an illustrator, and I think thats how I learned to tell a story through images.
My artistic sense was revealed by my mother, who encouraged my taste for drawing first and art later.
I remember spending entire days as a child poring over 30-volume encyclopedias on world art history.
I was immersed in Paleolithic, Asian, Classical, and Modern art during this period.
These are my main sources of inspiration.
Im quite eclectic, with little interest in abstract art.
What do you hope people will take away from your work?
In no other act of life do you feel such a strong feeling for a stranger, except love.
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