Coco de Paris



With a playful, humourous and creative style, Coco de Paris, also known as Erwin van den Arend, is a standout artist and illustrator from France. From his animal profiles to his bike riding dogs, Coco’s work is truly one of a kind.


We recently had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Coco about his creative process, inspirations, the future and much more.




Hi Coco, or should I call you Erwin? - Thanks for taking the time to speak to us. Can you start by introducing yourself and telling us about yourself?


As we’re talking about my work, I prefer Coco.


I’m living in the south of France in an inspiring medieval village called Palalda.


My paintings were exhibited in Art Galleries in Europe and the United States.


In my paintings, I like to feature animals with human behaviour combined with humour and a lot of fantasy which seduce adults as well as children. I also think that for that reason my artworks attract fashion brands, interior designers and editors for collaboration like Marc Jacobs, World Market, Cardinal Games, Joe Fresh, Deny Design, Artists To Watch, Icanvas (USA), Nepia (Japan), Des Artistes, Lindner Hotels (Germany), Oasis, Blue Island Press (Great Britain), Flow Magazine, Plint (Holland), Gucci, Books a Million, etc.



And where did the name come from? Anything to do with the famous brand?


I was looking for an artist name easy to remember and reflecting France; that’s how I came out with Coco de Paris. I first wanted to use the name “Koko”, but that’s already the name of my cat. To avoid that, my wife serves me cat food every day, I changed it into Coco.


coco de paris wall mural
Cat with Fish Wall Mural by Coco de Paris


What’s a typical day like in the life of Coco de Paris?


I start working at 8 am, I prepare my orders, mostly prints, from my different online shops. Around 10 am, I walk to the city of Amélie les Bains by following the river to drop these orders at the post office.


After I drink a coffee, enjoy life and handle my Instagram and Facebook accounts, and reply to my clients. In the afternoon, most of the time I paint or I think about new ideas.



Can you discuss your creative process from the inception of an idea through to the finished piece?


It’s difficult to describe, as inspiration is not something rational, but most of the time, my best ideas come on unexpected moments: during a walk in nature, in a dream, driving the car, watching a film.


Once I have the idea, I first make a little sketch. When this really pleases me, I paint the final work on canvas


coco de paris wall mural
Giraffe Upside Down Wall Mural by Coco de Paris


What do you use to create your work?


Most of the time, I paint on stretched canvas with acrylic paint. Sometimes, I also work on paper.



Animals clearly play a large part in your work - Can you tell us a little bit about this?


People think animals can behave like humans, which is an illusion of course. By painting animals with human behaviour, I make this illusion come true.


I also watched maybe too many Walt Disney movies when I was a child.



And what’s your favourite animal?


Cats.


coco de paris wall mural
Bubblegum Boston Terrier Wall Mural by Coco de Paris


Besides animals, what else inspires you?


Carrots.



There are also elements of humour - Are you a big comedy fan?


Yes, I like humour, it opens the hearts of people and makes it easier to communicate.


My favourites are John Cleese and Charlie Chaplin. Therefore I was very honoured that Charlie Chaplin’s daughter Géraldine, favourite my work in her Pinterest account some years ago.



You’ve collaborated and exhibited with some amazing brands and organisations - What would you say you’re most proud of?


Tim Zagat from New York (Zagat Guide) saw my work in restaurant Bresca in Washington DC and asked me to collaborate with him and to paint 26 different animals for an ABC book he is writing now.


coco de paris wall mural
Dalmatian Flower Power Wall Mural by Coco de Paris


Do you have any advice for an aspiring artist?


Don’t listen to the advice of other artists, go your own way.



What have you got planned for the next year or so? Anything big coming up?


Yes, two big events are coming up next year.


The US famous book store company “Books A Million” (260 bookstores), chose some of my images to make planners for 2021. Also the US card company “Papyrus” is interested in editing my work.


The other big event is the movie ‘Deep Water’ with Ben Affleck that will come out next year whereby some of my artworks are used in this new 20th Century FOX movie.


coco de paris wall mural
Elephant Hot Air Balloon Wall Mural by Coco de Paris



Check out Coco's full range of wall murals over on his page.