Bijou Karman is a young and highly talented artist based in Los Angeles. Surrounded by pencils and paints since she was a child and passionate about fashion, her love for clothes and style comes alive in her illustrations. The girls of her drawings capture the viewer's attention with their captivating outfits and mysterious attitude; dreamy and melancholic, they seem to be hiding a beautiful secret. We had the opportunity to speak with Bijou Karman and she revealed to us more details about her work and creations.
I’ve been making art from ever since I can remember. So it must have been in pre-school or before!
My number one love has always been fashion, my number two, art. So clothes are just naturally inspiring to me and it's what I've always wanted to draw. Fashion illustration is a perfect way to combine both of my passions.
Laura Laine, Rene Gruau, James Jean, Antonio Lopez, Daniel Egneus, Ingres, Mucha, Coby Whitmore, Joao Ruas, Aron Wiesenfeld, M/M Paris, Allyson Mellberg, Henry Darger, Daniel Clowes, Victor Moscoso, Martin Sharp and Corinne Day. Just to name a few!
Jane Birkin and her daughters Charlotte Gainsbourg and Lou Doillon. Each of them are individual and inspiring in every way, with their own style and personality. They don’t seem to care what others think, they do things how they want to do them!
I learned to draw the fashion figure with the book “9 Heads” by Nancy Riegelman. That initial foundation has stuck with me ever since.
Going to see some art, read a book or a good magazine.
It feels great to draw first thing in the morning when the light is at its best, but because my days are so busy I end up not doing that very often. Fortunately I also like working late into the middle of the night because there are no distractions and I can go on drawing for hours. I like to listen to some music while I am working, and burn a candle or some incense.
My first published piece was in the LA Times when I was a little kid and took part in some drawing contest and I felt really proud when I saw it!
No, not really. I like to work with a variety of media and styles and haven’t settled on a favorite yet.
I love that description!I sometimes think of personalities for them but ultimately, I like to leave it up to the viewer to decide what they could be thinking and who they are.
My “Haunted” series of black and white photographs and etchings is my favorite among everything I’ve done. It is very special to me.
The Palace of Versailles like Murakami did!
Rei Kawakubo because she is my hero! Her freakish approach to fashion doesn't cease to inspire me.
If I wasn’t focusing on illustration I would want to be a stylist and fashion editor.
Hopefully lots of work and travel!
