My Interview

J: Hello Ms. Claudel! I’m Jayne Fischer, It’s a pleasure to meet you!

C: Oh, I’m glad you have me! And please call me Camille

J: All right Camille! So what do you say we start this interview?

C: Okay! Let’s Begin!

J: So Camille, what was one of the things in your earlier years of life that got you hooked on your art?

C: Well from a young age my brother Paul and I were very close, do to our imaginative minds. He would tag along when I wondered around the country, we lived in Paris and we would walk as far as la Hottée du Diable, also known as The Devil’s Basket. It was full of wonderful stone, shaped by erosion, many shaped like animals and mythological beings(Aryal-Clause 2002). According to legend it was done by the devil. Anyway these massive stones and caves had much influence on my brother and I’s art. They made me want to sculpt. 

J: Wow! That’s awesome!

C: Well, thank you. 

J: So, what role did your Mentors play during your development as an artist?

C: Well many of my mentors just gave me media to work with! Such as Alfred Boucher. He too, started sculpting as a child. He gave me much guidance and help, I mean I was a child, and I would need the occasional person to watch after me. There was also  Monsieur Colin, he actually taught me. I had more education than the standard woman back then. I actually began reading things causing me to question religion. Later my brother said I was the reason that took our family away from religion. I actually had a hard time getting into an art institute, but I ended up going to Académie Colarossi.

J: That’s impressive, so what was the world of art like for you when you entered it?

C: Well dominated by men, that’s without a doubt! No um actually I may have been treated as a lower, to the other men, but many of my mentors and teachers saw what I was worth and really, it just put me a step farther. I mean I was just as smart as the men, and  most likely a better artist, but we wont go into that. 

J: So Camille, How did major events, and political situations have an impact on your work?

C: Actually, they didn’t have much influence. My influence was more with nature, and just what went on in my head. Much of my influence was also from Rodin. I mean I worked with him for years. We kind of influenced each other. You can only imagine how smart and wise this man was when it came to the arts.  Then again, he must have thought the same of me, but you know, I ended up leaving him and going on doing what I love. Yes, I still took after him a bit, then again I rubbed off on him too! 

J: I’m sure!  So, what were your major accomplishments as an artist?

C: Well to me any of my works are accomplishments. I take pride and joy into all of my work. Saying “accomplishment” it has such a wide perspective. Yet, to me I would answer all my works. Yet some would say one or maybe two of their most known art. Me though, I want the world to know my art, everyone, everywhere. Does that answer your question?

J: It surely does! So, Camille?

C: Yes?

J: What key opportunities did you have that led to your turning points in both art and life?

C: One of my major turning points was being more distant with Rodin. I needed my space to become the artist I wanted to be. You see he wasn’t hold me back, I just needed to do what I wanted to do, try doing something without him by my side. It would be different for both of us, we helped each other. Then again, I always felt I was just as good as he was as an artist. Even though he was the teacher.

J: Hmmm, that sounds interesting. Now, what choices did you make for yourself to help you become successful?

C: Hard work and sticking to my work. I couldn’t start something and not finish it. If that was the case I would not be here, I would be known as that girl who thought she was an artist. So hard work, years of practice, and education. Generally I would not be where I am to day without my brain. I love it!

J: Well, Camille, have you ever had a hardship you had to over come to be an artist?

C: Who hasn’t! Luckily my family was always on my side. It was probably Rodin. I loved him, he loved me. That wasn’t the point, we were lovers. The decisions for lovers are tough. My worst fear was to be the mother of many children. I know that sounds dumb, but that just wasn’t me. I’m not a mother. 

J: I couldn’t agree more with the children thing!

C: Haha, well any ways, I was not the type of person, and it sounds very strange but it’s just no me.

J: No I understand completely!

C: Glad to hear it!

J: So, what kind of limitations did you run into both as an artist and a person?

C: Well, Getting supply that’s for sure. Bronze didn’t come cheep. I also was very close to my brother. It was hard for me when he went away, he did not answer my letters, till one day he came back. One of the happiest days of my life. To be honest, I was just happy he was alive, and that I got to see him again.

J: Wow, that’s really sweet. Now this brings us to our final question.

C: Wow already, time is just flying by!

J: Hah! Yes, it sure is seeming to. Now what personal stories best show how you became what you are today in the arts?

C: Well, my parents got me great education. I can’t stress this enough, my brother Paul and I were very close. No matter what we would always be. From children we loved each other. He was my brother and my friend. We both encouraged each other to be what we were. For me the artist that  strived, and for him, the writer that was just plain great in my eyes. 

J: Well it was just great to learn so much about you.

C: If only I could say the same to you!

J: Maybe another time! Well, thank you for coming!

C: Thank you for having me! 

Ayral-Clause, Odile. Camille Claudel A Life. New York, New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2002. Print

Caranfa, Angelo. Camille Claudel A Sculpture of Interior Solitude. Associated University Presses , 1999. Print

Paris, Reine-Marie. Camille. Editions Gallimard, 1984. Print

"Camille Claudel." wikipedia.colm. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb 2011. <hyyp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camille_Claudel>.

"Some Beautiful (if Tortured) Works of Camille Claudel ." Wwww.cs.wustl.edu. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb 2011. <http://www.cs.wwustl.edu/~loui/camille.html>.

“The Age of Maturity” Camille Claudel.  Bronze.

“Count Christan de Maigret in the Costume of Henry II”  Camille Claudel. Marble.

“Perseus and the Gorgon” Camille Claudel. Marble.

“Deep in Thought” Camille Claudel. Onyx and Bronze.

“Cacountala” Camille Claudel. Bronze .