Comic In November: Camille

I think Vamille's illustrations fit in really well with November.  They are sometimes dreamy, sometimes clear, sometimes black and white, sometimes colourful, but always unique and beautiful. I talked to Vamille about what she calls the «most boring city in the world» and the things she doesn't like to draw at all. You can read the interview here. 

Hi Vamille! Can you briefly introduce? 
My real name is Camille Vallotton, but I also go by Vamille. I've been working as a full-time comic artist and illustrator for 6 months and I have already published several comics and children's books, including «Speculum Mortis» and «Greta change le monde». At the moment I'm working on an autobiographical comic about Crohn's disease.

And tell me about the images that are in this month's newsletter?
The selection I made for your newsletter reflects the illustrative mood I've been in for a few years. Specifically since Corona, when I, like many others, had time to reflect on my life and work. I realised that I was pushing away many influences such as manga, (which I LOVE,) because they are not highly regarded in the art world. I also wanted my drawings to be more expressive, to say more.

What did you want to be when you were a child?

Hmm, I don't know at all. I think I wanted to be an archaeologist for a while because I was interested in history, but I was really bad at Latin at school. After that I always saw myself in an office with cool clothes and nice work colleagues, but I didn't know which job, haha!

Which topics are particularly close to your heart?
I'm interested in the balance between architecture and nature and I'm particularly interested in the interplay of forms. I also think a lot about illness and death, and these themes find their way into my drawings. 

Where did you grow up and did that have an influence on the course of your life? Or also on your drawings?
I grew up in Yverdon-les-Bains, probably the most boring town in Switzerland (and therefore in the world?). Maybe that's why I started drawing - I was bored. 

What brings you joy at the moment?
That in 106 days, (no, of course I don't have a countdown app on my phone, where did you get that idea?) I'm going to Japan for three months. 

What is the most challenging thing in your life right now?
It's the first time I'm drawing a longer autobiographical comic and I sometimes struggle to find the right words. It's really not easy to create text and images that harmonise.

What do you like to draw the most?
I really like drawing hands, but they're usually not much use to me on their own. Apart from that, I like to draw everything. Except trains! (Omg... trains or buses or cars are so difficult to draw).

What can comics, cartoons and illustrations do that other media can't?
When you draw, you can combine things from very different worlds and make it look like it's normal. Of course, you can do that to a certain extent with Photoshop, but it never has the same expressiveness. 

What do you particularly like to do at the moment?
I never played with modelling clay when I was a child, but recently I've totally discovered it. I love kneading on Sunday; it's the best remedy for stress.

Thanks for the insights, Vamille - I’m looking forward to seeing your illustrations in the newsletter this month.