If you've been following us for a while, you know about our passion for the world of bicycle illustrations, which today leads us to add to the list of unmissable artists a name that captivated us from the first moment and which we loved even more after getting to know him.

Today's article is in fact the result of an exciting encounter with a truly special creative soul: Clod Illustrateur, an eclectic French illustrator with a soft spot for bicycles, considered as a means of transport and a tool of freedom, of creativity. In this exclusive interview, we will immerse ourselves in the poetic world of Clod, discovering how bikes and art intertwine to inspire his unique works, capable of transporting us from Parisian bridges to the moon.

Get ready to explore the less beaten paths of the mind of an artist who draws a carefree and multicoloured everyday life, driven by the overwhelming energy of the bicycle and the magic of illustration.

What does the bicycle mean to you?

My relationship with the bicycle is not of a sporting, practical, ecological, economical, nor less of a militant type. The bicycle for me represents a poetic and sentimental lifestyle, with a touch of nostalgia.

I grew up on a bicycle. I remember perfectly the day I managed to cycle for the first time without stabilisers: what immense joy! The sensation of freedom and balance that I felt at that moment have never left me. Even today, when I get on a bike, I find my childhood. In the saddle, I go back to being the carefree boy of the past, with happiness on my shoulder and life ahead of me.

Where do you draw inspiration for your illustrations?

I observe a lot the world around me. I am particularly sensitive to colours, shapes, textures, writings and in general to every type of image that crosses my gaze. I take many photos and as soon as I can I reproduce the images in my sketchbook. Inspiration for me is everywhere and it tends to grab me at every moment.

I certainly have favourite subjects, like the bicycle, nature, wellbeing, the vintage. I'm also interested in motifs in the graphic arts of ancient Greece and in Islamic arts. I devour all these things, digest them and reformulate them in my illustrations.

How would you define your style?

For me, style is not an aesthetic question, but it is what emerges from the work of an illustrator. It is rather difficult to define a style, I would say mine is fresh and enthusiastic. I try to convey joy.

In my work there is a kind of conscious naivety. I like to think that it is the naive who change the world, rather than the cynics. What I aspire to is to give thirty seconds of happiness to anyone who stops to look at one of my drawings and when this happens, I am the happiest of illustrators.

How did the bond between the bicycle and illustration come about?

For years, bikes and illustrations have followed different paths in my life, never meeting. I lived these two passions separately and didn't see the link between the two. I am convinced that an issue can be addressed properly only when you know it closely, when you really live it. So it became clear to me: I can talk about the bicycle because it is something deeply rooted in me, always. This is how I decided to make my first illustration about the bicycle.

Your first book "50 Bonnes Raisons de Faire du Vélo" was recently released, would you tell us how the project was born?

In September 2021, on the occasion of a bike-themed meeting I had been invited to, I met Stein van Oosteren, who we could call Mr. Bicycle in France. During our first chat, we came up with the idea of developing a project together and a month and a half later I had all the drawings ready for 50 bonnes raisons de faire du vélo (unfortunately not yet translated into Italian, but we are optimistic!).

After noticing the project on my Instagram channel, the publisher Makisapa proposed the publication.

What is people's relationship with the bicycle in Paris, where you live, and in France in general?

The French experienced a wonderful love story with the bicycle at the beginning of the twentieth century. But France is also a major car manufacturer, and we can say that the car, until a few years ago, occupied all the available space in our cities, which were built precisely for these means.

For some time now, however, in Paris and throughout France we are witnessing a great revolution: the use of the bicycle is spreading in a surprising way. This has led to obvious tensions between cyclists, motorists and scooter riders. If we then add pedestrians and prams, it is clear that a way must be found to share space, but few are willing to make concessions, each convinced of being right.

We are in the middle of a complicated period of transition, but I am convinced that soon the situation will calm down. Bicycles will necessarily become the ideal means of transport in cities and everyone will soon realise how much this will improve everyone's lives.

What are your future projects?

The next few months will be dedicated to promoting the book: there will be signings sessions, interventions and exhibitions all over France. At the same time I will continue to work on my commissioned projects and on my blog, where I have been sharing my thoughts on the profession of illustrator for several years and which one day I would like to transform into a book.

We hope this interview gave you the right inspiration for your next bike rides! If you want to receive more content like this, as well as practical tips and original routes from the world of cycle tourism, you can subscribe to our newsletter by clicking the link below. Happy reading!