Artist ~ Veronique Godbout of Atelier Vero

Artist’s name: Veronique Godbout
Shop name: Atelier Vero
Website: AtelierVero.com
Instagram: @AtelierVero

1. Tell us about your work:  
I create coastal whimsical graphic artworks and vivid modern paintings. With a background in graphic arts, you often find visual elements, patterns, and typography in my work.

2. Is there a story behind the name of your business? 
I am French-Canadian and I speak French mostly at home and my painting studio is my Atelier. My nickname is Vero, all my friends and family are calling me Vero.

3. How did you come to be a professional artist/crafter/designer? 
I was born and raised in Quebec, Canada and I studied graphic design at the University of Quebec in Montreal, Canada. While working as a college professor, a department chair and a graphic designer I always kept a paintbrush near. I had a great career in education and worked with wonderful people doing stuff I was passionate about. My love for painting never faded, and finally, I decided I wanted to pursue a career as an independent artist. 

4. Where do you draw your inspiration? 

When I was travelling to New England for summer vacation (from Quebec) during my college years, I was dreaming about living near the Atlantic coastline one day and it now has become a reality. I am living in the most beautiful state of Rhode Island.

5. I really dig your designs. Can you tell us about the process? 
I use art to record memories and stories, documenting all facets of life, from far-flung travels to the relatable every day. I am creating rough sketches at first after I am reading about the town or visiting some wonderful places. I am usually getting inspired by what I read or the feeling I have when I am in the town-city. After I create the sketches, I am painting on wood with acrylic. I am mixing ink also in the acrylic to have a colored fluidity. I take a lot of time with each of my pieces, work hard, and don’t rush through them. I didn’t realize how important it was to sit with your art for a while, take a step back and think about it.

6. What’s your favorite item to create? 
New images and applying my designs to accessories like bags, pouches and masks.

7. What’s your best seller? 
The Hope design is always a best seller. I think the people are drawn to the word Hope. Nowadays, it is such an important value. 

8. How long have you been in Rhode Island? 
3 years now and we live in a wonderful town named Exeter. I just adore everything Rhode Island and I am so blessed to live in this wonderful state. We live in the woods but I am amazed by the fact that I can drive 15 minutes and be on the beach! Pure bliss.

9. What do you {heart} about Rhode Island? 
Mostly the people, who are so nice but also the wonderful scenery and the weather. Magical places everywhere.

10. Favorite place to take out-of-towners? 
So many amazing places but, pre-covid, we had lots of visitors from Canada and Europe coming over. We always bring them to nice quaint towns like Wickford, Narragansett, Galilee. We also love walking on the Cliff Walk in Newport; the views are spectacular and people are always swooning about the ocean and the majestic mansions. We also love to bring people to the Matunuck Oyster Bar; the food is phenomenal and the ambiance is so lively.

11. Any advice for new/wannabe makers? 
Please be yourself and trust who you are and your talent. Listen to your little voice because she is your ultimate guide. Trust your vision and be nice to yourself and all the people you will meet along the way; they are part of your creative path and they are rooting for you. Just the fact that you are creating something makes you an important part of the well being of the universe. Believe in yourself and send love along the way.

12. Please include anything else you’d like to add:  
I moved to Hawaii 12 years ago because I fell in love with a wonderful romantic sailor. I am pursuing my creative dreams of being a professional artist and spend a good portion of my time creating art, teaching, and sharing my artistic wisdom and living an everyday fairy tale with my husband.

You can find my work at: 

Ink Fish Books, 488 Main St, Warren, RI

Gansett Goods, 142 Boon St, Narragansett, RI

South County Art Association shop, 2587 Kingstown Rd, Kingston, RI

Domain Decor, 200 Ten Rod Road, North Kingstown, RI