Nathalie Lété, an artist born in Paris, France, draws inspiration from childhood memories and daily life to create a diverse range of works, including picture books, ceramics, textiles, and lithographs. She has garnered support in Japan, opening her own shop, "LE MONDE DE NATHALIE," in Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. Now, her "Ours à la cravate" BE@RBRICK 400%, inspired by teddy bears, is set to be released. We conducted an email interview with Nathalie to ask about her recent life since the pandemic, BE@RBRICK, and her future outlook.

— Nathalie, your work is highly original. Where do you find inspiration for your creations?

I am very often inspired by my childhood memories. The German fairy tales my mother read to me before bed, the picture books I looked at when visiting my grandmother in Bavaria on holidays, the countryside near my grandmother's village, garden gnomes, Easter bunnies, does in the forest, fields of flowers behind small wooden fences... For me, a little girl living in the suburbs of Paris, it was all a wonderland. Even then, I said I preferred to immerse myself in those worlds rather than in everyday life.

— At what age did you decide you wanted to become an artist?

I was an only child, and both my parents worked, so I spent my afternoons alone at home after school. I would draw or make crafts from cardboard and wool. In my teens, I took classes in painting, printmaking, and pottery. After graduating from high school, I visited an astrologer who predicted I would have a successful career as an artist. I followed her advice and enrolled in art school. My parents were not artists, but they believed in me and my choices.

— You possess diverse talents in areas like picture books, textiles, ceramics, and lithographs. Among these, which creative process do you find most enjoyable?

I enjoy creating using various techniques, but for me, they are all simply ways to express myself equally. If possible, I would like to do more diverse things like sculpting with various materials, sewing, working with glass and stained glass, and making jewelry.

However, time is limited. I need to make a living, so ultimately I focus on drawing and painting.

Looking far into the future, I plan to slow down my current pace and dedicate more time to personal creations—for example, sewing a bedspread for my room at home.

Spending an entire year making a bedspread is very appealing, similar to how ancient women would create tapestries while waiting for their husbands to return from war.
I feel that women's work in our era is fortunate.

— Your paintings of rabbits and cats are both realistic and fantastical, often depicted wearing clothes. Do they have real-life models?

Yes, my drawings and paintings are becoming increasingly realistic. I enjoy observing and reproducing from books featuring animal photographs. At the same time, I also love simplifying reality and creating stories. Depending on my mood, I can switch very quickly between a fantastical style and a realistic one.

— The impact of the novel coronavirus must have been significant in France as well. What did you do during the lockdown period?

During the lockdown, my husband and I stayed at our country house. I really missed the vintage toys I had left at my studio in Paris and the flea markets I frequented. I keenly felt how special the global lockdown was and how important collecting toys and being surrounded by them is in my daily life.

So, I asked my fans, "Please send me photos of toys that are a source of comfort and support for you during this difficult lockdown period. I would also appreciate it if you could share a little information about the toys."

Looking at the many toy photos, I selected ones I liked as if I were browsing a flea market, and shared paintings of them on Instagram.
Toys are like family members that comfort and bring us happiness.

— Your BE@RBRICK is being released in collaboration with MEDICOM TOY. Were you familiar with BE@RBRICK before?

I mainly collect antique toys, so I haven't purchased one myself, but I have seen these little bears (BE@RBRICK) during my travels in Japan and at museum shops around the world.

When MEDICOM TOY proposed adapting my artwork into a BE@RBRICK, I was surprised and very happy. I loved the idea and was very curious about how my designs could be adapted into this form.

— Regarding the "BE@RBRICK Nathalie Lété Ours à la cravate 400%" being released this time, what is the story behind this piece?

I often take photos of toys I find at flea market stalls or in books.
And when I have time, I enjoy drawing them. These toys become the heroes of the stories I tell myself while drawing.

The image of "Ours à la cravate (Bear with a Tie)" is standing in front of a sculpture by Yayoi Kusama, nodding like a collector before a work of art. Perhaps he is wearing a tie to symbolize the world of economics (laughs).

BE@RBRICK Nathalie Lété Ours à la cravate 400%

Size | Approximately 280mm in height
Price | ¥10,000 (excluding tax)
Sales Method | Orders accepted from Monday, August 24, 2020, 00:00 to Thursday, September 10, 2020, 23:59 at the 1/6計画 store and MEDICOM TOY's online stores. *For details, please visit www.medicomtoy.co.jp/.
Release Date | Scheduled for release and shipping in December 2020

BE@RBRICK TM & ? 2001-2020 MEDICOM TOY CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

— In the process of creating the BE@RBRICK, what specific points did you focus on?

When collaborating, I like to give my partners the freedom to interpret my artwork. I find this to be the interesting part of a collaboration.

However, there is one important thing I always pay attention to.
It is the eyes and expression of the character. I must see myself reflected in them. Sometimes, I adjust the position of the eyes by just a few millimeters until I find the right spot.

— It seems you have more collaborations with MEDICOM TOY planned for the future?

Several projects began simultaneously during our first meeting about two years ago.

One is the production of three types of BE@RBRICK, including this "Ours a la cravate." MEDICOM TOY also selected "chaperon rouge (Little Red Riding Hood)" and "the cat wearing a pink dress" as representative works of mine.

Secondly, they proposed a collaboration with Monchhichi. I believe that will be available in stores soon.

Finally—and this was my suggestion—I am also working on a cat-shaped teapot based on my lithographs and ceramic plates. I am very pleased with the final result and hope our fans will enjoy it too.

— Please share your thoughts on working with MEDICOM TOY.

Working with MEDICOM TOY is very comfortable. They consult with me on the details, so I can voice my opinions at every step and follow the process of evolution, which is wonderful.

With some collaborations, I only see the final result, leaving me with nothing more to say and sometimes feeling a bit frustrated that I couldn't participate more. Each collaboration has its own unique story.

— Lastly, what would you like to do in the future?

I want to work more with artisans. For example, stained glass for churches, or swimming pools with mosaic tiles depicting fish... I imagine my art in such places.

I am also collaborating with interior designers. With modern technology, we can print digital designs onto any material, so I would like to see my art on ceramic tiles, wooden panels, carpets, and even train seats. To coexist my universe in public spaces. And to create new surprises.

Nathalie Lété
Born in Paris in 1964. Her artistic style is diverse, encompassing textiles, lithographs, and ceramics. Her works, inspired by childhood memories and everyday life, are colorful, subtly humorous, and possess a happy yet cynical charm. She is active in a wide range of fields, including the release of lifestyle goods collections in Japan.