Community, Women’s Health
14 October, 2024
Words by Han McGufficke
A new look for the studio walls is here, and the timing couldn’t be more fitting then now. Our newest Feature Artist – Sophie Le Couteur, Aussie beach babe now living in Dubai, has brought something new, fresh and absolutely fabulous to our Saltbush Stretch HQ.
The timing is immaculate, aligning with our Boobs + Besties Campaign this October, being breast cancer awareness month. Sophie’s pieces are yoga inspired, abstract fine line, nude womens bodies. Sharing the beauty of women during movement.
Showcasing Soph during October, inline with Boob’s + Bestie’s for Pink Month just seemed fitting. So we hope you love these pieces as much as we do and we can’t wait to share all the nude yogi love with you all.
Enjoy getting to know the queen herself and hear all about her journey, her inspo, and her love for yoga.
Sophie grew up all across the east coast of Australia. During the pandemic, she moved back to Sydney’s northern beaches, which had a big influence on both her yoga and art. Being forced into a slower pace of life, particularly when we were locked away in our homes, gave Soph time to recognise what truly matters. Nowadays, Sophie is based in Dubai, where the mix of cultures and vibrant art scene continually inspire her in new ways.
“I’ve always been drawn to the ocean and minimalist beauty, which you can see reflected in my pieces. My yoga drawings were born out of missing my classes during lockdown; I wanted to capture the poses I missed in a simple, mindful way that brings a sense of calm to my creative process.”
All About Sophie
We connected with Sophie to be able to bring you this blog post, she is an absolute queen, from her art journey to her yoga journey, we wanted to share it with you, so enjoy this little read.
Where did you find your love for art, when did you start?
Art has been a part of my life since childhood. My grandmother was an artist in the Blue Mountains, and I have fond memories of visiting her studio and watching her techniques, often inspired by the natural surroundings. Growing up by the sea, I was captivated by the colours, movements, and serenity of the ocean, which I tried to capture in my early sketches and paintings.
During the pandemic, I began creating yoga drawings. Missing my classes, I wanted to visually express the poses in a simplistic and mindful way. This new focus complemented my existing love for nature and the fluidity it brings to my work. Over the years, my style has evolved, but my connection to nature, slow movement and the calm it brings has remained a constant source of inspiration. Art has become a way for me to express my inner world and share my perspective with others.
The Art.
Where do you get your inspiration for your art?
My inspiration comes from many sources: the fluidity and grace of yoga, nature’s minimalist beauty, and the dynamic energy of the ocean. Having lived in diverse places, across Australia and in Dubai, has introduced me to a variety of cultures and landscapes, enriching my artistic vision. These travels and personal experiences inform my work, resulting in pieces that blend personal reflection with a wide range of influences.
Which pieces you create have your heart of the different styles of art you produce?
That’s a tough one! Each piece I create is special in its own way, but I do have a soft spot for my yoga drawings. The yoga series, with its focus on the elegance and strength of poses, feels very personal to me. It’s like capturing a moment of inner peace and balance.
My abstract paintings, on the other hand, allow me to explore colour and form more freely, often reflecting my love for the ocean and natural elements. Both styles offer different avenues for expression, and I pour my heart into each one.
The Yoga.
Are you a yoga or pilates lover?
I’m definitely a yoga lover. Yoga is more than just a physical practice for me; it’s a way to find balance, calm, and mindfulness in my daily life. It has also become a significant source of inspiration for my art, influencing both the themes and the fluid, flowing lines that characterise my work.
Can you give us an insight into your yoga journey?
My yoga journey began as a simple way to stay fit and manage stress, but it quickly evolved into something much deeper. Yoga has taught me to connect with my body and mind in a profound way, fostering a sense of inner peace and balance that I try to reflect in my art. Each session is like a moving meditation, a dance of breath and movement that inspires the fluid lines and serene compositions in my drawings. It’s a practice that continually enriches my life, both personally and creatively.
We were so lucky to have amazing women from our community join us at the start of October for our in-studio event/exhibition to raise awareness and money for breast cancer, all while wearing that splash of pink, checking out this fabulous art and listening to our guest speaker and hearing about her breast cancer journey.
All ticket sales from our exhibition were donated to The McGrath Foundation, if you were unable to attend but would love to do your bit, pop over to our Saltbush X McGrath Donation Link if you are able to give anything to this amazing cause.
And you can show Sophie some love over on Instagram and follow her journey @sophielecouteurart
I hope you love these pieces as much as we do, we can’t wait for you to check them out more.
Big love. Em xx
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