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Jean-Roule: Hey there, creative maestro Margaux Baert! So, spill the beans - where do your paper adventures begin, and what brought you to the heart of Brussels?
Margaux: I’m originally from Wépion (the country of strawberries!), in the Namur area. After spending a year in the US, I came to Brussels for my studies in La Cambre, in printmaking and Graphic Design. I did a few collaborations with a Parisian studio and I have my first projects abroad, but I love to be in Brussels for now. The atmosphere here is vibrant, dynamic and exciting, yet the city it has this "feel good" and village-like vibe. I have my own workshop in Ixelles, very close to my home (shared with my husband Pierre and our 3 year-old cat, Yvette Boudin) and it feels like everything is close by, it’s very comfy!
Jean-Roule: Yvette Boudin, huh? Sounds like a feline with attitude! How would you define your paper-prowess, and what's the twisty tale of how you ended up there?
Margaux: I would say my work is refined, delicate, poetic but sometimes a little dark and twisty. Some of the animals I create tend to be very detailed and majestic but often have an enigmatic feel, like stuffed animals. Sometimes I feel like I create beautiful and strange creatures from another world that want to come and tell us stories. Maybe they’re just stopping by to ask for their way back home… still in the meantime, I provide them with a warm and comfortable home in my studio.I started to work with paper rather late, during my studies in Graphic Design. For a school project we had to create images with paper cut. So one night I started to cut feathers and didn’t stopped until early in the morning. The pleasure of crafting paper came as a big surprise. I felt I had found my medium and I knew I wanted to do something with it. After graduating I worked as a freelance art director for a press agency and for clients in the design and event fields but always kept the desire to work with paper on a side of my head.I then worked part time for a Belgian furniture design brand for a few years and started my paper studio in 2020 on the side. Now, paper is my main activity, along with teaching a few hours of art in an international High School in Etterbeek.
Jean-Roule: A journey as whimsical as a Brussels waffle! Now, I've heard rumours of drawing classes paired with tea tastings - a creative combo that has my quirky antennas tingling. How'd that ingenious idea pop into existence?
Margaux: When I launched my own studio I was first working from home but I fell in love with a little space shop for rent, while strolling in my neighbourhood during the covid lockdown in 2020. It had this lovely ancient style art deco shop window and was located in a residential street, between a small chocolate shop and a sewing workshop. In October 2020 I'd set up my studio there.I always loved my drawing classes as I kid and I wanted to find a way to give drawing class to adults in a kind and safe environment while we’re enjoying some tea and local sweets. It’s also a way to invite people in the studio, to make them discover my work and have a place to exchange creative reflexions.Both classes are currently full, but I also give punctual workshop around paper art once a month, for which I still have free spots! You can find all the info and upcoming dates on my website
Jean-Roule: Ok, sign me up! Now, let's address the elephant in the room—err, the paper cuts. How did you conquer that fear?
Margaux: I should have more fear of paper cut, as I cut myself WAY too often ;-) I’m surprised my fingers are still whole! I should be more careful as I haven’t figured out a way to cut paper with my feet… Yet!
Jean-Roule: Last one, do you have some exciting current or upcoming projects ?
Margaux: I just wrapped up an exciting collaboration with GODIVA for Valentine’s day. We created a limited edition packaging box and a bespoke window display for their store in the Grand-Place in Brussels and for their Covent Garden store in London.They even created a praline in my name at the occasion of the collab, the ‘Margaux’ ; a pistachio praliné, covered with dark chocolate and topped with dried strawberries… A collaboration made it Brussels with a touch of my hometown’s renowned fruit!
Jean-Roule: A praline in your name? Talk about the cherry on top of your paper masterpiece! Thanks a million, Margaux! Let's catch up and twirl at our monthly meetup on Thursday at Muche, yeah? 🎉
