Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/nor4k/
Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/Nor4k
Email: enoraroncier@yahoo.fr
Behind “Norak” we find Enora. She lives in Rennes in Brittany [France]. She creates illustrations on various themes. His passions are Japanese culture, writing, photography and video games.
Interview with a deep, humble and smiling woman from Rennes.
OJL : Hello Énora
Énora : Hello.
OJL : Four quick questions before getting to the heart of the matter.
As you live in Rennes, can you tell us what your favourite café is there? And what do you like to take there ?
Énora : At the moment I’m particularly enjoying the new Japanese café in the city center: “Okko”. They make an excellent iced matcha latte there !
In the evening I like to go to “Penny Lane”. The atmosphere is always great. And there are often concerts or mixes.
OJL : Interesting indeed. And what is your favorite park or place ?
Énora : Oberthur Park. It is small and less known than Thabor’s Park but it has just as much charm. Maurepas’s Park, with the upcoming opening of its Chinese garden, is also a very pleasant place for a walk. But obviously nothing beats a little stroll by the sea ! (laughs).
OJL : Next, what was the last book you read ? And the last song you listened to ?
Énora :_Regarding the book : the trilogy “The Carmine Sisters” by Ariel Holzl. An Adams family atmosphere in a fantasy universe. I highly recommend it ! (laughs). He is an intelligent and deliciously cynical “young adult”book.
_Regarding the song: “Seconds” by Pulp. A little nostalgia for the 90s…
OJL : Ah, it’s certain that the 90s were a different time… Finally, do you have a quote and/or a proverb that you like ?
Énora : “What’s more exciting than mental activity ! Get your little gray cells working. They alone will dispel the fog and uncertainty and lead you to the truth” by Agatha Christie. You must always have faith in Hercule Poirot ! (laughs).
OJL : Brilliant quote ! Well done. Let’s talk a little about you now. How could you introduce yourself ?
Énora : I work in animation (with children, not in cartoons). I studied art history then quickly turned to a drawing school where I followed a course in graphic arts. The environment being very competitive, I didn’t really know how to impose myself and today drawing is more of a hobby, but it’s something that I will never give up. At the same time, I am the co-creator of a humorous podcast “Kill et Vilaines”, fake regional “True crime”! (laughs).
I also do a bit of photography and in my spare time. I also sometimes take up into the writing. I’m a bit of a jack of all trades (laughs) and most often find it difficult to concentrate on a single activity.
OJL : It’s not a national tragedy to be a jack of all trades. And who are the artists who shaped you ? Who struck you down ? In a few names and why.
Énora : I grew up with mangas and that has a definite influence on my personality. I am a big fan of Takehiko Inoue, the author of Slam Dunk. The entire folkloric part of Japan is also a source of inspiration, particularly with the Yokai (a kind of demons).
In European comics, I greatly appreciate the work of Béatrice Tillier and the finesse of her drawings. And obviously all the work of Alfons Mucha and the art nouveau in general.
OJL : The number of Mucha fans among the creators on OJL… It is impressive. And now, can you tell us how you chose your pseudonym ?
Énora : A friend called me Norak one day, in reference to “the anorak”: (Enora–> Enorak –> Anorak–> Norak) It stuck and I started signing my drawings that way… This is basically just a joke! (laughs).
OJL : Brilliant. Let’s talk a little about your work now. What are you creating ?
Énora : I mainly do illustrations on a personal basis, I have also done a few logos for people wishing to develop their business. I also did quite a few animal portraits at one time.
Lately, I have been very inspired by Japanese macabre art, this can be felt in some of my drawings. I like to incorporate plants into my work, especially flowers, it gives meaning, depth… It’s something that suits me well even if I live… in the city ! (laughs).
Another fairly recurring element for me is the representation of the eyes. I don’t really know how to explain why… But after all, don’t they say that “the eyes are the mirror of the soul” ? There is undoubtedly something unconscious behind this…
OJL : What you say is very profound. How can you define your style ?
Énora : Difficult to say, but there is sometimes something about the melancholy and quite dreamlike in what I create. I think you can feel my inspiration for manga and comics in general in my style.
OJL : What techniques do you use ?
Énora : At the moment I’m sticking with traditional techniques, pencil, watercolour, felt-tip pens, coloured pencils… But I also really like digital. Besides, I work regularly in Photoshop.
OJL : Can we place you a personalized order ?
Énora : I did it at one time, but unfortunately today I have a little less time with my work but I don’t despair of returning to my first love ! In any case, it is always possible to make a request to me ! (wink).
OJL : Can we subscribe to your newsletter? Because social networks are a bit saturated…
Énora : Not at the moment.
OJL : Do you have an anecdote about the creation of one of your products ? Or one of your sales ?
Énora : I have often been told that my drawings would make beautiful tattoos. And an acquaintance used one of my illustrations to make one. And I must admit that it’s a bit of a pride! (laughs). Maybe the reconversion is near, who knows ? In any case, it is an idea that sometimes pops into my head (but hey, I’m absolutely not tattooed!).
OJL : There are non-tattooed tattoo artists as far as I know, don’t worry. Last question. You definitely have friends who are doing amazing things ! If you want to promote them a little, now is the time !
Énora : I would like to promote three persons :
_ Laurent Cazuguel : who does some gothic illustrations: https://www.instagram.com/cazuguellaurent
_ Yumiko Atlicue : whose art is weird & dark: https://www.instagram.com/yumiko.atlicue/
_Lucickat : who is a jewelry designer: https://www.instagram.com/lucickat/
OJL : Bravo for what you do. May Our Lady protects you.
Énora : Thank you.
Alpha Centauri
