I'm Sophie Le Couteur, an Australian artist living and creating in Dubai.
Art has always been part of my life. My grandmother was a practising artist, and some of my earliest memories are of her teaching me different techniques and encouraging me to be creative. I spent weekends attending art classes and eventually went on to study Design at the University of Technology Sydney, graduating in 2011.
For a long time, art was something I loved doing alongside everything else in life. During the pandemic, I decided to share some of my work online, starting with a collection of yoga-inspired drawings and prints. What began as a small creative outlet grew into something I never really expected, with my artwork finding its way into homes across Australia, New Zealand, Europe, North America and The Middle East.
Over time, I became more interested in experimenting with different styles and materials. I moved beyond illustration and began painting on larger canvases, exploring colour, texture and abstraction. I've also had the opportunity to exhibit my work in Paddington and Rosebery in Sydney, both exciting moments in a journey that started with selling drawings online.
Since moving to Dubai, my work has continued to change. I've become increasingly drawn to abstract painting, bold colour combinations and the freedom of creating without always knowing what the finished piece will look like.
I've always been influenced by my surroundings, whether that's the places I've lived, the people I've met or something as simple as a colour combination I've spotted during the day. Sometimes a painting starts with an idea, and other times I just start painting and see what happens.
I particularly love working with layers, building up colours and marks, painting over things and changing direction as I go. Some of my favourite pieces have turned out completely differently from what I originally imagined.
Today, my work is held in collections around the world, something I still find incredibly special. I'm continuing to develop my painting practice here in Dubai, experimenting with new ideas and seeing where they take me.
More than anything, I want to create art that people genuinely love living with. Pieces that bring colour, character and a little joy to others.
Thank you for visiting x