Elle-Louise Burgeuz on finding creativity in the fourth trimester

It was pure accident that I stumbled across Elle-Louise Burguez’s surrealist dreamscapes on Instagram – one of the few lingering perks of remaining on the platform. Simple yet vibrant romantic motifs reminiscent of a European holiday. They moved me to find out more. As it turns out, Elle makes art as well as music. Her musical pseudonym Elle Músa projects vocals and tunes that are the musical embodiment of her art, like sweet summer days spent on the Med.

In December of 2023, Elle became a mother to a little boy Pascal, and ever since has been navigating the art of the juggle. We spoke to her about how she is finding inspiration in the sleep deprivation.

Have you always known you wanted to be a musician/artist?

I always wanted to be a musician or an actress growing up.. the art came as a surprise later.

Did you have any mentors or inspiring people you looked up to growing up?

I saw my parents work hard but I also saw that they didn’t get to live out their passions in music and acting. It made me want to live a life doing what I truly love.

How do you balance painting and making music?

I am either in a phase of making art or music. It is rare that I make them at the same time. But I do think they really complement each other. Each is the act of conjuring up a beautiful world I wish to dwell in.. or recreating a certain feeling.. vibe from a place I’ve traveled to.

How has motherhood fit into your life?

I would not say I juggle it at all at the moment but I think it will slowly fall into place again. It is really difficult for me to make the time but even just doing little things makes me happy. Journaling, writing the lyrics to a song, a quick sketch of a painting.

Has becoming a mother changed your perspective or inspired you in any way when it comes to your art subject matter?

It has changed my perspective of life in many ways. I am a new person with tremendous love in my heart and a pure and perfect little being at the centre of my world. This has made me want to really take the time and care with everything I do.. so the slowing down has helped this actually.

I have always been wanting to embed a feeling of beauty and magic into what I make. Now that my boy is here I want to tap into that even more. The childlike purity and wonder that makes life so much more meaningful. I see no place for rushing anymore. I can get very excitable and work so hard it leads to burnout. I won’t be doing this anymore!

It's a challenge many parents face - finding time for themselves. Something I imagine is a non-negotiable for an artist looking for inspiration. How are you negotiating this with the demands of a new baby?

Oh yes.. for me to stay sane and happy I really do need this. It is such a fragile and sometimes isolating time being a new mum. For me to be inspired to use my energy on creating I need to have my cup full in other areas.. rest, connecting with loved ones, luxuriating in bathing/saunas and skin care and exercise.. at the moment it’s as simple as going to the shops for half an hour alone or a quick dip in the sea as well.

I was in the depths of sleep deprivation last week and after a meal in the sun with some close friends with deep chats.. and then cleaning my space at home I felt a million times better. I was able to come back to the absolute pleasure and joy that my new life is.

How have you decorated your son's space?

Oh gosh I love wall murals and hand painted furniture! But at the moment we are sharing a space with bubba and slowly renovating a house in Rainbow Beach. The dream is to one day have art all over the place and some clouds and angels on the roof of his room.. or a painted night sky full of golden stars.