Pascale Taurua

Pascale's apartment studio is located in the picturesque coastal city of Biarritz in southwestern France. Keeping Pascale company is her tiny Bichon Maltese, Louise, who gets up to all kinds of mischief! She says: "I start each morning off on the right foot with a nice cup of tea, and then put on my workout clothes for an active hour-long walk along the beach. Then I start working on my art, which can alternate between painting in oils on canvas and applying gold and silver leaf."

With Pascale commissioned by clients all over the world and boasting a packed exhibition schedule, there is rarely a quiet moment and she admits the hours pass at "breakneck" speed. She does, however, make a conscious effort to look after her mental health. She explains: "My universe is in my studio in front of a canvas. When I work in front of my easel, I stay there for two or three hours at a time before taking a tea or snack break to watch a show on YouTube, which allows me to take my mind off things. So when I come back to my painting, it is with a new look and energy."

Painting on canvas with extra-fine oil, she blocks in her sketch before allowing the piece to choose its own direction. Her studio walls are adorned with drawings, photographs and images from magazines, which she uses for inspiration. Pascale’s studio assistant, while perhaps slightly furrier than most, is definitely enthusiastic. The artist says: "Louise – a little four-legged creature with the muzzle of a fox, tail of a pig and snow-white fur – discreetly slips into my studio and takes pleasure in trampling in my paint palette. I find her tiny footprints all over the carpet and on my bed!"