Dear Timothy Bordenau Who are you? Tell us about your childhood!
Thank you for your interest! My name is Timothy Bourdneuve, and I am French. I was born in 1984 in Paris!
About my youth: I was a very quiet boy, always reading and at the same time enjoying life, but not so much in front of the television or games, rather more of sports and nature… I was also sometimes adventurous in my hometown and when I traveled… Then I went through many different situations that eventually led me to adolescence and the beginning of young adulthood, somewhat rebellious – so to speak.
During those times, after passing the baccalaureate exam, I studied law, then information science, and traveled a lot.
Then I worked as an engineer at a research center and as the director of two libraries. Now, I focus entirely on my literary work and practicing visual arts.
When did painting enter your life?
If I’m not mistaken,
did you study law?
Yes, I studied at law school! Perhaps it was pure coincidence, or perhaps it was the result of some contradiction, as I practiced street art extensively at that time! This was accompanied by a lot of writing, photography, and playing music as well…
I was a very busy young man, enjoying a wide social life, as well as many romantic relationships.
Then I experienced a period of bohemianism and an alternative lifestyle that led me to be close to environmental and humanitarian organizations – both on the rural and poor side.
While this was happening, I continued my own practice of various artistic experiments.
It’s hard to believe when you see me today that I used to burn some abandoned cars in the yards of deserted Berlin houses, turning them into sculptures from garbage, for the sake of postmodernism… It makes me laugh when I think about all these crazy times I lived through.
Drawing has been an important part of my life, whether through street art or through my studio artwork.
I was interested in spirituality and mysticism, which greatly influenced my paintings.
What are your thoughts on art today?
Well, I would say that I love contemporary art because it’s completely free from any constraints. Everyone, especially in Europe where I live, can express their own feelings!
We now live in an art scene where all forms and styles are acceptable, and everyone can succeed if they are dedicated enough to their work.
Where do you draw your inspiration for painting?
I draw a lot of inspiration from the beginnings of modern art, and what are called the “Parisian Schools,” during the first half of the twentieth century, with great artists such as Matisse, Kandinsky, Robert and Sonia Delaunay, Fernand Léger, and the Dufy brothers… I try to enrich my knowledge of different trends and techniques, but I still benefit greatly from them… And I think my paintings are also very intuitive and spontaneous!
Do you have a preference for colors or subject matter?
I don’t have a preference for certain subjects, unless there are some I avoid, like vulgarity or violence… As for colors: I’ve been painting a lot in shades of blue lately! It’s been a year, or a little more, and I’ve been painting entirely in blue!
Tell us about your last exhibition?
Thank you for your question! I had the opportunity to exhibit my work many times during 2025. I participated in various international events in Tokyo, New York, Miami, Milan, London, Madrid, and other major cities and venues all over the world! It was a wonderful experience. I also exhibited my photography and painting work at several events in Paris! 2025 was a truly special year.
At the same time, by the way, my literary works have also seen a new global spread, with many translations and many interactions between me and some international media outlets… What a joy for me!
What are your plans for the future?
If I could predict what would happen next, I’d say I’d want to focus more on the creative process itself, and perhaps reduce the number of events I organize, so I can paint and write more… while also making sure to take some time off, because these events and art parties take up so much of my time. I hope to dedicate more time to my art and to myself.
Do you consider yourself a painter or a writer? Or both?
Here, I can say, both!
The two creative genres of visual arts on one hand, and literature on the other, interact with each other, and they are not entirely distinct in the days I live, perhaps just a division of my creative time, but nevertheless they collide and intertwine, and both are equally important in my life.
I am a painter, a composer, and if I may add something here as well: I am also a musician, and I still have a great interest in contemporary music to this day. I am also, as some have said, an inventor, because I have been behind some new concepts such as my results in the fields of engineering that illustrate this, or my research on marine automation, pollution control networks that intercept plastic at the mouth of a river, or the idea of promoting agricultural irrigation techniques or “grazing on fallow land,” etc.
I believe my entire life is now dedicated to creative expression and research, exploring diverse ideas, techniques, and themes. And I hope this path will continue as long as God grants me life!
Timothy Bordenau
