Antoine Bugeon is a talented cartoonist. His documentation work is paramount for the Octopus Foundation. The backstage of each field mission becomes the script for his next comic book. He is a wizard when handed nothing more than a pen, some ink and a piece of paper.
What is your role within the Octopus Foundation?
I accompany the team in the fields, where I take note and draw pictures. Later gathered and stored by Julien Pfyffer, these iconographic sources are used to present the Foundation’s projects. They are also the basis of our comic books. I also participate in the expositions when Julien requests my presence. Once in a while, I drop my notebook to assist my teammates in various tasks, such as handiwork, sailing, cooking etc…
What motivated you to work with Julien and his team?
I was introduced to Julien by a friend we have in common. She had worked for the Ocean71 Magazine. Our first meeting took place on a sailing boat in Brest. I remember bringing out a big file with several drawings of the Yamana Indians. After a while, Julien asked me to illustrate several articles for the magazine. Later, we worked together in a coffeeshop in Nantes to create the Octopus Foundation’s logo. He then offered me a seat for the expedition in Fiskardo (Greece), to draw scenes of the team working on the remains of a fighter jet from the second world war. It’s not the type of offer that is easily turned down. It was a fantastic opportunity to travel, discover new things and meet new people.
What is your relationship with the sea?
I spent most of my childhood on the island of Noirmoutier, birthplace of my paternal grandparents. One day, my uncle gave me the model of a sailing boat as a gift. He had made it himself. Since then, I tried to figure out how boats work. Later, I built my very own sailing boat that I took out at sea. Also, I find the ocean beautiful and reassuring when seen from the land. I think that “being” on the water means making choices and coming back to more essential things.
What are your favorite souvenirs with the Octopus Foundation?
My favorite souvenirs all come from the meeting with generous people that don’t hesitate to give their time and share their passion. For example, Cédric and Harris in Cephalonia, Georges on Ithaca, Daniela in Lampedusa, Gionata, Jean or Barbara in Albania, Philou and Seb…
Where does your passion for drawing comes from?
I seriously don’t know! I remember drawing when I was a little boy. Apparently, my teachers noticed that quite early. I am a shy person. It’s probably a way I found to express what drives me. I do remember that someone once asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I answered: “a cartoonist”.
One day, I met with a very kind person, Jean Olivier Héron, creator of “Comment naissent les bateaux.” He encouraged me to persevere. It wasn’t always easy, but I take comfort in knowing that men have tried to represent their world through drawings since the prehistoric age. It is reassuring, so I keep trying.
What are the aspects of the marine world that inspire you?
It’s a completely different world that fascinates me, and I try to access it through my drawings. It inspires me because the marine world leaves enough room for imagination, since there are still so many things left to discover. I like the image of a person relentlessly running to try and reach the horizon. I think it illustrates quite nicely my attraction to the sea and to my trade.