Fan Art interview with Billie Mack

"I try putting myself in the place of the character as I work on them. Which might explain why my style has been described as 'nightmarish'. I always seem to choose the dark characters."


Louis XIV, Chevalier de Lorraine & Philippe d'Orléans as portrayed by George Blagden, Evan Williams & Alexander Vlahos, Versailles

October 31, 2017 by Nicole Oebel @philomina_

What is fan art for you and does your style reflect something about your relationship with the character you are painting or drawing?

Firstly, fan art to me is all my art. It is the inspiration I find in the characters that inspires me to do artwork in the first place. I really dislike the way the fan art is sometimes looked down upon. As I was once told that I could be a good artist with my style, if I did something other than fan art with it. To which I pointed out that so many of the 'classics' of the art world are fan art by definition. Whether they are work based on folklore, myth or religion. It's all art based on a former piece of work. So not 'original'. But I don't believe any idea ever is. We only ever end up extending ideas. That's what I think of as the role for fan art. For me, it's about extending the base idea and reshaping it into that it means to you. Telling the stories or depicting the emotions that might not have been seen in the existing work (or show), but that you see as an artist in the characters.

I only ever paint characters that I emotionally respond to. I have this idea of 'method' painting. Which as with actors using the technique, I try putting myself in the place of the character as I work on them. Which might explain why my style has been described as 'nightmarish' because I always seem to choose the dark characters. It's not a conscious choice for me to make them dark and exaggerated. It just happens to turn out that way! Hopefully, my style plays to that strength.

What are the easiest and hardest parts of the artistic process?

The easiest part of the process for me is the inspiration. My mind overflows with so many ideas there's never enough time to complete them all! But the hardest part is taking that initial idea and working it onto the paper and into something that can be achieved. I think learning my limits and what can physically be done is what I struggle with. It can be very frustrating sometimes. But I suppose that is all part of being a 'traditional artist' where it's so not easy to correct mistakes and therefore means you have to lean pretty quickly how to do things.

Do you feel like with your fan art you can put a lot of yourself into a piece, tell your own story?

I'd like to think every good piece of art work acts like a two way mirror. It reflects what's been put into it by the artist, as well as what a viewer sees in it. This is easier to do with fan art than you might suspect because although the character is always the same, they are viewed differently by everyone who sees them. For myself, the part of me in the piece is always the message I'm trying to get the characters to portray. I use my art as a way of exploring my own fascination with the human condition. I love nothing better than trying to capture the emotion of a character. What someone can say without saying a word is always the challenge to me. So this is why I am conscious of pose and body language. Symbolism is also a big thing in my work. This is also something I use to help put the message I want to convey. You could say that I use the characters as a front for my own emotions.

What is it about Versailles that inspires you and draws you to share your art with the Versailles Family?

There is such a wide spectrum that it's hard not to be inspired by Versailles! The setting of the show just looks so beautiful. The backgrounds and the costumes offer such a glittering form to wrap your ideas in. The show by turns can be light and dark. That plays really well to art in general and my style in particular. That's before you even factor in the actors who just constantly amaze me. As an artist most inspired by depicting character emotion Versailles offers so much for me. Whatever emotion I'm feeling for a piece there is no doubt I'm able to find a corresponding scene to paint. That is a wonderful feeling and it's why I turn to Versailles characters as a base for my art more than any other show.

As for my wonderful Versailles Family, what can I say to do them justice? I have always been driven to share my artwork because feedback is how you learn what works and what doesn't. But I have never had so much unwavering support as I am fortunate to receive since discovering the Versailles Family. It creates a wonderful cycle of love to me. To put something I love out there to be loved in turn by the Family and then the love they feel comes back to me. That then inspires me all over again. It's perfect. The Versailles Family must also take a lot of credit for making me a better artist and person. I'm eternally grateful to those who have helped me on my endeavor to make art for the benefit of charity as well. It has literally changed to way I think about my art and my purpose for it. I love you all so much for it!

Which is your favourite piece or style (of your own) and why?

My favourite piece of artwork is the one of Louis, Philippe and the Chevalier. Which I am now slightly embarrassed doesn't have a title. But it is my favourite because it marked a real milestone in my personal progress. Not only is it the biggest piece I've ever painted but it is also the most detailed one too. It took so long and challenged me in so many ways. It took six weeks to complete and was also the first time I'd put such a complete background into my artwork. But I needed to do this to put across the message of the piece. Which in case you're interested, is all in the placement of the Chevalier and the palace between the two brothers. A pretty simple idea within the context of the show. But a pretty integral one I think. But my favourite part as ever was the range of facial expressions I got to work on. Such a variety that even I smile to look at them even now. Which is very rare for me.

As for style I only ever paint in one, which is my own natural style. But there has been much debate between myself and fellow Versailles Family as to what you'd actually call that style? I have no idea. I just try to make it as realistic as possible. Maybe it's because I'm not a natural artist and have to work very hard to be as precise in my outlines as I can be that it doesn't turn out so realistic. Who know? It is what it is and I'm just grateful some actually like it.

And last but not least, what are your favourite TV shows and what do you enjoy about them?

Well it goes without saying that Versailles is my favourite TV show. But in more general terms I will watch any form of historical drama. Whether that is past shows that is still re watch like The Borgias and The White Queen or ones that are still ongoing like Vikings and Endeavour. What I like so much about these shows is the complete submersion into a another time. Which always appeals to me as an avid fan of history. Aesthetically, I'm most drawn to Middle Ages and Renaissance times. But the morals of the time fascinate me too. Having said that, the exception to my historical viewing is my addiction to the show Supernatural. Which I love only for the core story of the two brothers in the show. Their relationship and how it grows and changes compels me completely as I have such a fascination with such things. But maybe that's why I like all the shows I do because no matter the times the people and their emotions in them never change. That's an idea that will always draw me to something. Whether it be others art or inspiring me to create my own.

Thank you for the chat, Billie!

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