I've recently had the honor of interviewing not only a talented artist, but a gentleman as well, Loui Jover. He is not only pleasant to speak with but has lovely manners and made me feel like a lady in late 19th century attire, as strange as that may sound! I also sensed a certain innate elegance in his persona - the same kind of elegance one finds in his ink drawings, and the simplicity he captures in the human form. His lines are poetry, emotional, evocative, and sensual.
I have much to say about his ink drawings, and yet if I were to begin, I would be writing a very long introduction! I will only say that you will find passion, story, intimacy, romance, beauty, melancholy, darkness, raw expression, and above all Great Sensitivity and Imagination. His ink does his artistic self justice, I believe.
I invite you to read his words and thoughtful replies to my questions, as he explains to us his inspirations, his thoughts on erotic art, how he feels he should draw toes more often, the poetry in his work and his chronic personality paradox.
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spring |
What medium do you usually work with?
I usually work in ink. Indian or Sumi.
How long have you been drawing/painting?
Like all people I started drawing as a child, however unlike most other people I never stopped drawing.
Tell us about what motivates you to do your art.
Making drawings and creative pieces is a fundamental part of my very nature and a major part of my expressive communication, so I am motivated by sheer necessity to create and express.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
I am constantly inspired; at times I do feel a little flat, but in a day or two I am feeling like making work again, so I am pleased to say that my inspiration is mostly inner formed. I do not need external stimuli - I have inspiration foundry inside me…lol
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heart softly pounding |
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sincerity |
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lamp light serenade |
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flying |
Do you have an artwork of yours that is dearest to you? or a series of works? Share with us which one(s) and why.
No, I don’t really get too caught up in being overly sentimental about my created works. I mainly like the thought of the next one I have not done yet, so in answer I guess I am fond of most all of them equally, but am fondest of the ones I have yet to create.
I’m very curious about the pieces depicting the back of women’s heads with very ornate hair styles, do you have women model for you for this or do you use photo references? Is it the same for your expressive nude drawings?
I am lucky that my wife and daughter have thick hair that they can wear in a variety of styles, so at times I do work from life and then I make up the neck and shoulder lines which are always kept to a minimum, but I am not adverse to using photographs found or taken myself…actually I am quite taken by your own avatar you have a nice neck and your hair looks great, I could really enjoy drawing that :)
Oh, thank you! Of course you may draw my profile picture whenever you wish.
Oh, thank you! Of course you may draw my profile picture whenever you wish.
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remembering dreams |
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she knows well |
I like the back of necks as I do indeed see this as a very poetic part of the human body particularly, and perhaps even only in women - they are such sensual and beautiful parts of the body with simple lines, and I really like the way fine hairs reach down from the head along the neck and offer a beautiful wispy evocative juxtaposition to the soft skin on the back of the neck. I mainly draw hair that is bunched up in a braid or a bun for this reason, for the neck - so that it's exposed……I think the neck is beautiful and have always been attracted visually to this area of the female form.
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iolanthe |
Oh I can relate to you about necks! I find them sensual too, and expressive. I really enjoy drawing them myself. I feel the secret places in the neck contain personal stories. But I’ve learned a lot by looking at your drawings, so it’s really cool to speak to another artist who appreciates necks as well.
Any other body part you like drawing? lol…you ask such interesting questions…I like drawing eyes and faces and hands and even parts that can’t generally be shown without causing a bother, as if we were all born with clothes plastered onto us……..I have no one thing I like drawing better than another, except for the neck we spoke about. I do know however that I don’t really do close ups of toes very often….:)
Toes and feet in general are so full of character, don’t you think? I usually look at people’s hands and feet to get a feel for them besides their overall expression and personality. I’ve never thought of drawing toes before… I should take a look at any toe drawings you’ve done to get some inspiration :)
Do you have any I may look at?
Do you have any I may look at?
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flirty feet |
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my feet with bandaid |
I can see that not only do you appreciate the human form but the sensuality that can be expressed through it as well. There is a boldness that comes through in certain erotic drawings of yours, while others have a warmth and tenderness to them that’s endearing. Artists like Schiele and Klimt come to mind when viewing these pieces of yours.
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the lovers #2 |
I do make sensual and erotic drawings and enjoy making them, I also like looking at them. I think most people are a little prudish when it comes to sensual and erotic art. A lot of the ones I make I can not even show, they are not pornographic, for this is another thing all together - I do not like pornography for the sake of exploiting people and for the sake of money, that whole fake plastic shaven oily americana porno scene leaves me cold and disinterested, its too tacky and just plain ugly. But I do like erotic drawing and photography made with passion and with raw sensuality unleashed.
Again as long as no one is under duress or hurt, and is consenting in age and agreement then, what's all the fuss about?…..sex seems to be more taboo these days than extreme depictions of pointless violence…….? I don’t get that.
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sleep |
You also have a witty sense of humor!
Your cartoon pieces are brilliant. Did it take you long to develop this aspect of drawing? You’re very good at it.
I have always had the humour thing going, I am not sure how good or not it is, but it “is” ….I was a clown at school and think I have used sarcasm and individually crafted jokes (for I do not remember or like other jokes, and I can’t tell ‘official’ jokes to save my life) as a shield from the general world around me since childhood…why?….I think that is for the head shrinks to look into and I am unable to explain it here. The cartoons I make are always just doodles and quick ink drawings…I like this rough aspect to them very much….they balance out the other drawings I do……I think a cartoon that is too constructed and over drawn has lost a magical something and is a little stale.
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therapy session |
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why me? |
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techno therapy |
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hell of a night out |
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grave debts |
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confessional |
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water |
Tell us something about you we don’t know, maybe something that you feel is quirky or awkward or unique ;)
Something you feel that makes you who you are.
The quirkiest thing about me is a little sad I think…..and that is that I am a walking exercise in ‘chronic personality paradox’ - I am outwardly gregarious but inwardly a complete loner. I hate things in public but secretly like them behind closed doors. I talk tough but am very weak. I want to be sophisticated, but am in truth, very primitive. I am indecisive to the point of total dysfunction: one day I like orange, the next I hate it and am not sure why I liked it to begin with and have no idea why I hate it now. I want to be a famous cartoonist but do not want to actually be that either…lol…..I dream of being a poet……I want to be Keats, I think I may die of consumption one day like he did…..“how romantic”….lol……does any of this make any sense?….is that “quirky” enough for you?
(insert the interviewer's loud unhinged laughter here)
Is there anything you’d like to tell other artists and people reading this? Any words of inspiration to encourage or stimulate creativity in society?
I am not one who can dispense ideas or even advice I am seeking both myself most often. I can say one thing that is quite obvious……just make stuff. Art is about making things that are from an inner place, if you have the key to this place, go in and bring things out before they destroy your mind and soul. Art can be beautiful, but it is often carved from ugly…what ever that may be?
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from darkness
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your eyes your love declare |
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watching things fade |
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chastity
To view and follow more of Loui's work go to:
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