Giselle Dekel's delicate illustrations elevate on a regular basis actions
Despite the minimal approach in the illustrations by Belgium-born Giselle Dekel, she is still able to translate everyday events and feelings such as tiredness or changing clothes into something dreamy and sharp. “Everything starts with a feeling,” says Dekel of her creative process. "As soon as I have a clear idea, I try to imagine how it could best be translated into an illustration that others could identify with."
Dekel now lives in Tel Aviv and says she happened to become an illustrator. She studied textile design and printmaking, but always painted portraits. “After graduating, I tried to find a job as a pattern designer, but it was very difficult,” explains Dekel. “I worked regularly until four years ago when I realized that I missed art and design too much. By experimenting with different techniques and materials, I came to illustration and fell totally in love with it. "
All pictures: Giselle Dekel
It's the versatility of illustration that Dekel enjoys most, and the fact that it can be applied and turned into patterns on so many things. Dekel uses watercolors and Photoshop to create her images, and she sticks to a color palette of pastel blue and peach, sometimes using the oddly lighter shade.
She uses clean lines in most of her work, but the details she adds keep it from looking flat and the paper she uses also helps to add texture and softness.
The humor that Dekel uses in her work keeps them fresh and prevents them from drifting into the over-sentimental. She often takes inspiration from what makes her laugh, and also introduces surreal touches that get even the most mundane chores done.
There is an intimacy in other images of hands and feet peeking out of duvet covers, or in one image that only depicts the legs of someone transforming into sweatpants. All of these elements really help create a sense of being in Dkel's head.
The idea aside, says Dekel, her biggest challenge is getting her three children into her work area "every three to five minutes," although it's easy to see how much their work is influenced by their private life.
Ultimately, Dekel hopes that the audience will connect with their work and “find laughter, joy and the feeling of being seen and understood”.
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