Website : https://www.lesgribouillagesdepikrachou.com/
Etsy shop : https://www.etsy.com/fr/shop/PikrachouGribouille
Instagram account : https://www.instagram.com/pikrachou.gribouillages/
Facebook account : https://www.facebook.com/lesgribouillagesdepikrachou
Linktree : https://linktr.ee/pikrachou.gribouillages
E-mail : lesgribouillagesdepikrachou@gmail.com
Telephone: +33 6-02-24-25-50
Behind “Pikrachou” we find Rachel. She lives near Douai in the Hauts-de-France [France] and creates colourful illustrations that she sells on the internet. In life, her passions are reading, the works of the studio Ghibli and video games like Zelda for example.
Link to the original picture : here
OJL : Hello Pikrachou.
Pikrachou : Hello.
OJL : Four quick questions before getting to the heart of the matter.
As you live near Douai, can you tell us what is your favourite café near Douai ? And what do you like to take there?
Pikrachou : I like “Destination café” which is in Douai. I like it because it’s a small cafe. And that the manager is passionate. And yet I don’t like coffee ! (laughs). But it also offers hot chocolate and teas. It’s really a great place… If you find a place there because there is always a crowd !
OJL : And what is your favourite park or place near Douai ? Or in the North (59) ?
Pikrachou : The “marais de fretin”. Ever since I was little, me and my family have been going for walking there. And it’s very pleasant.
OJL : Next, what was the last book you read ? And the last song you listened to ?
Pikrachou :_Regarding to the book: “Game of thrones” by J.R.R Martin. I’m on the volume 2. I fully intend to eat the entire series. And for the moment, I think it’s cool. Like others, it watched the TV show that made me want to read the book. And it’s very interesting, because there are more subtleties than in the show.
_Regarding to the music: “Primadonna” by Marina. I usually listen to it in the morning to get some energy (laughs) !
OJL : Finally, do you have a quote and/or proverb that you like ?
Pikrachou : I would say “Better done than perfect”. I have a lot of trouble embarking on a project because I’m always afraid that it won’t be good enough… However, the best way to progress is to simply go for it !
OJL : Let’s talk a little about you now. How could you introduce yourself ?
Pikrachou : I am a dynamic and optimistic young woman. Smiling like the people of the North. I like to take a notebook and pencils and then go and draw in my favorite swamp (laughs).
OJL : Who are the artists who inspire you ? Who motivates you ?
Pikrachou : The works of Studio Ghibli had a deep impact on me. Benjamin Lacombe also inspires me a lot. I love a lot of illustrators, and many inspire me, so it’s hard to choose (laughs) !
OJL : How did you choose this pseudonym ? Could there be a link with a yellow animal with an electrical tendency (wink) ?
Pikrachou : Indeed, if you look carefully, it is possible that there is a link (laughs). It was a friend of mine who found this nickname. It’s a contraction between Pikachu, Rachel and Chou ! Because everyone says I’m so cute [chou in French] (laughs).
OJL : Let’s talk a little about your work now. What could you say about your illustrations ?
Pikrachou : There is a big influence from the world of the mangas and of Ghibli in my works. In general, they are very colourful. I appreciate themes linked to childhood, youth and magic. In short, innocence and spontaneity.
OJL : The editorial team found you via the keyword “Victorian”. What is your opinion on this style?
Pikrachou : It’s a style that I like to explore. But it’s not my favourite style. In truth… It’s actually the big hats that I really like (laughs). Behind the serious side of the black clothes, it must be recognized that there was still a certain extravagance. Look at “Alice in Wonderland” – it’s serious without taking itself seriously. We are undoubtedly in the movement called “escapism” which means that we want to escape from reality (so disappointing sometimes).
OJL : Your illustrations seem to represent most of the time the ladies subjects. Am I wrong ?
Pikrachou : Indeed, I prefer to draw female characters. They inspire me a lot. Between the variations of body curves and the subtleties of characters, for me the woman body is an inexhaustible source of work and fascination.
OJL : Do you have an anecdote about creating one of your illustrations ? Or one of your sales ?
Pikrachou : Concerning “Snow White”, (which you chose as the cover image) you have to know a secret… Basically, it’s a character that I don’t like at all [shocked reaction from the interviewer]. Because like many I grew up with Disney’s vision of the character. That is to say a nice little girl who endures everything and who is still happy… In addition, I found her voice (and I still find it) unbearable and stupid in the Disney movie…
But ! Having an absolutely Olympic capacity for questioning (laughs), I made the following reflection: “If you don’t like what Uncle Disney presented, well, make your own version of the character!”. And that’s what I did. With success since you chose this image for your front page (wink).
OJL : Last question. Surely you have friends who are doing amazing things ? If you want to promote them a little, now is the time !
Pikrachou : With pleasure! I chose three of them :
_L’Hirondelle, which is an arts and crafts store : https://www.instagram.com/lhirondelle_crea/
_Sorae, which are natural & gourmet drinks : https://www.instagram.com/sorae_rituels/
_Cass’s workshop, who is a designer who works particularly around runes : https://www.instagram.com/atelier2cas/
OJL : Bravo for what you do. May Our Lady protects you.
Pikrachou : Thank you.
Alpha Centauri
