David Grandmaire, the father of "Jeannala and Seppala".

-

T. Gagnepain / 20 Minutes

  • In the

    Trait Por-Trait series

    ,

    20 Minutes

     follows the pencil lines of eleven cartoonists, illustrators or cartoonists whose work highlights a territory.

  • For this first part, we go to Alsace where David Grandmaire has created two small characters, “Jeannala and Seppala”.

  • "Little Jeanne and Little Joseph" have almost become iconic in the region.

    They are found everywhere, given the number of derivative products launched by the artist.

An Alsatian headdress for the lady, a hat and clothes just as typical for the gentleman and overweight for both… Here is “Jeannala and Seppala”!

Difficult to miss these two little characters in Alsace.

A little over fifteen years after their birth, "Little Jeanne and Little Joseph" are everywhere.

On paintings, postcards, pottery, t-shirts, license plates… With always the same dad behind them, David Grandmaire.

Our Trait Por-Trait series

"They have nevertheless shrunk a little over the years, they have taken over the line", laughs this 51-year-old former gendarme, full time on his creations since 2011. Since he was overtaken by the success of these two small figures drawn at random in 2004. “As usual, I had my sketchbook with me and I stamped them.

My wife thought it was cool so I continued.

He even showed his new products at the annual exhibition he used to organize in Ingersheim.

In the middle of his knife oils, “Vosges, Alsatian and Breton landscapes”.

A region that inspires her, contemporary and traditional

Immediate success.

All “Jeannala and Seppala” designs are sold and their first names found after a public vote.

“The reception was excellent, there was a lot of kindness around the characters.

It was there that I said to myself that there was something to do, ”continues the native of Vosges, transferred to Colmar in 1997 and never left this Alsace, which he regularly came to visit with his parents.

A region that inspires him so much ...


David Grandmaire, the father of - T. Gagnepain / 20 Minutes

Because half-timbered houses, storks, Strasbourg cathedral also have their place in his works.

“Little Jeanne and little Joseph” sometimes find themselves eating a good sauerkraut, parading with a fanfare in the middle of the village, strolling by bike in the middle of the vineyards… In short, quite traditional images brought up to date with self-mockery and this blow. of bright pencil.

“This is contemporary Alsace,” sums up the author.

It is traditional but also modern because you have to know how to evolve.

"

Two employees to manage the commercial aspect of the activity

He was able to develop his range widely, now available in “130 points of sale”, mainly in Alsace.

Its catalog of derivative products grows regularly, most of the time with local producers "so as not to fall into the charm".

Two employees even had to be hired to manage the commercial aspect of the activity.

This allows David Grandmaire to devote himself fully to drawing in his studio in Zimmerbach, a small village between Colmar and Munster.

Without ever running out of ideas!

The proof ?

It has just launched products dedicated to children, called “Bubbele” (“baby” in Alsatian).

"As long as I can have fun, I continue," he concludes, with the same sincere smile as "Jeannala and Seppala".

Culture

"The worst is already taking place in the world and there will be a generalization of this worst", anticipates the designer Ugo Bienvenu

Series

"The Wonderful World of Mickey": Can we do anything (and anything) with the Disney mascot?

Why "Jeannala and Seppala" have neither eyes nor nose?

A few years ago, David Grandmaire announced on Facebook that he was going to add eyes to his famous characters.

The news had turned into debate until the cartoonist revealed that it was an April Fool's Day.

More than fifteen years after their birth, “Jeannala and Seppala” still haven't seen or felt anything… Why?

“It's a pure stylistic choice, I didn't want to get into comics, their dad replied.

Without eyes or noses, I managed to make them happy and sympathetic.

"

  • Strasbourg

  • Art

  • Drawing

  • Designer