TIPTOE by Luzea
What does TIPTOE look like through an artist’s eyes?
Constantly seeking inspiration, we gave artists carte blanche to make our pieces their own within their universe. A way to blend two creative fields and discover TIPTOE from a different perspective. Meet Luzea, a Catalan artist who explores different representations of women and the subtlety of their gestures.
Can you introduce yourself?
Of course, I am a Catalan artist based in Barcelona, Spain, and my work seeks to portray ethereal female beings who feel and express themselves through their mere presence and the subtlety of their gestures. Aesthetically, my artistic style is strongly influenced by the Fauves artists, with Henri Matisse as the greatest master, and by the visual codes of digital imagery and modern illustration. I am always seeking sophistication in the compositions, forms and colours of my works.
What is your artistic background?
My artistic journey is probably unusual for a professional artist. I have painted all my life, for as long as I can remember, but I never attended art school. In fact, I have a degree in advertising and public relations and, to this day, I have worked in communications agencies for many brands. So, as well as being an artist, I have another career, and I try to balance these two activities, both of which I love.
My journey as a professional artist began about three years ago, when the global pandemic hit us and I had to slow down the hectic pace of life I was leading. It gave me the opportunity to reconnect with my artistic work and develop it consistently. In painting, I found my most intimate form of expression and discovered my life’s purpose: to live to create. Sharing my art and seeing how it inspires so many people is the most rewarding thing I have ever done.
How would you describe your creative universe?
A universe in its own right. I would say that femininity, elongated forms, bright colors, and the contrast of light are my main signatures. I’m particularly drawn to pastel colors, and I’m quite obsessed with observing the features of the female face, which I capture in my work through unique visual codes that make Luzea recognizable.
Where do you draw your daily inspiration from?
In everyday life, I’m mostly guided by my own feelings and intuition. I’m the kind of artist who feels deeply inspired simply by looking at a blank canvas. It’s then, in the moment of creation, that my imagination takes flight. That’s why I often like to use a freehand technique and trust my intuition while creating. If what I’ve created doesn’t work, I start again, without bitterness; it’s simply part of my learning journey, and we never stop learning.
Why did you agree to this project with TIPTOE? Tell us how you worked on the LOU stool.
I fell in love immediately when I discovered TIPTOE, and I agreed to work with the brand because we share similar values and aesthetics. Working on the LOU stool was a real challenge, as I had never painted on wood before. Fortunately, I managed to paint on it and I’m very happy with the final result. The painting I created was inspired by the stool’s round shape. I wanted my characters to embrace, while also having that embrace emphasized by the round “canvas” they were painted on. So I exaggerated the roundness of the main character’s arms to convey that feeling more deeply.
What is your vision for TIPTOE?
I see TIPTOE as a brand moving in the right direction in terms of how today’s companies should behave and do business: making durable products and building on collaboration between talented professionals.
Do you have a recent creative discovery to share with us?
I’ve just discovered that I love making films, so every day brings a new discovery. As Anaïs Nin said, “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” Be brave and grow!