A simple signature stamp sitting on an office desk is not usually something people would associate with artistic inspiration. Yet for ByFred, it became the starting point of an entire series of works. This ability to see creative potential in the most ordinary objects reveals something essential about his artistic approach : inspiration is never far away. It can emerge from a fleeting observation, an unexpected detail, or a simple question : ”What would happen if I tried this ?”.
Known as ByFred, Frédéric Guyonnet is a French artist whose practice combines painting, drawing, and writing. Deeply attracted to abstraction and experimentation, he approaches creation with curiosity and spontaneity. Rather than following rigid rules or predetermined concepts, he allows ideas to develop naturally, transforming emotions, impressions, and everyday experiences into visual expression.
Growing Up Surrounded by Art
Art has been a constant presence throughout ByFred’s life. Growing up in a creative environment, he was exposed from an early age to different forms of artistic expression through his father, who was himself an artist. Writing novels, creating paintings, and designing stained-glass works were all part of the world that surrounded him. Creativity was not something distant or inaccessible, it was simply part of everyday life.
This early immersion gradually shaped his own relationship with art. Alongside drawing and painting, he also developed an interest in writing, a practice that has accompanied him for much of his life. While creativity was always present, he feels that his artistic expression truly flourished around ten years ago, when he began allowing himself greater freedom to explore ideas and experiment with different forms of creation.
Inspiration in the Everyday
For ByFred, inspiration rarely arrives through grand events or extraordinary circumstances. Instead, it often emerges from ordinary moments and simple observations. A particular colour, a scene glimpsed in daily life, a dream, a television programme, or even the laughter of his grandchildren can become the spark for a new artwork. His attention is constantly drawn toward details that others might overlook.
What makes this process particularly interesting is the way these impressions evolve over time. An image, a feeling, or an idea may remain in his mind, gradually developing before finding its way onto paper or canvas. Creativity becomes less about searching for inspiration and more about remaining open to it. In this sense, the world itself becomes a source of endless possibilities, offering new material for artistic exploration every day.
The Freedom of Abstraction
Abstraction occupies a central place in ByFred’s artistic practice. For him, it offers a space of freedom where emotions, energy, and intuition can be expressed without the constraints often associated with representation. Rather than depicting a specific subject, abstract art allows him to focus on movement, colour, gesture, and sensation. It becomes a direct way of translating inner experiences into visual form.
Yet this freedom also comes with its own challenges. As he explains, the difficulty is not a lack of ideas but learning how not to be overwhelmed by them. The creative process often involves balancing spontaneity with control, allowing emotions to emerge while still shaping them into a finished work. Whether through his “Signatures” series, inspired by a simple office stamp, or his experimental “Shlak” works, ByFred approaches each piece as an opportunity to explore, discover, and push creativity in unexpected directions.
ByFred : Creating Without Limits
At the heart of ByFred’s work lies a simple yet powerful belief : creativity has no limits. Art can be found everywhere, in everyday objects, fleeting moments, unexpected thoughts, and ordinary experiences. What matters is the ability to remain curious and receptive to the world around us. As his artistic journey continues, including an upcoming exhibition in a gallery in Paris’s Le Marais district, this spirit of exploration remains at the centre of his practice. Through painting, drawing, and writing, ByFred reminds us that creativity is not reserved for a select few. It is something that exists all around us, waiting to be noticed, nurtured, and transformed into something new.
More about the artist
To explore more of ByFred’s work and follow his latest artistic creations, you can visit his instagram page.