French Canadian painter Emilie Lemay grew up on the shores of Brome Lake, in Quebec’s Eastern Townships. She lives and finds inspiration under the extraordinary Manitoba sky since 2002.
Emilie is a member of Mentoring Artists for Women’s Art, La Maison des Artistes Visuels Francophones and The Cloud Appreciation Society. Her projects in cultural mediation reflect her commitment to support and celebrate visual arts. Her artworks can be found in public and private collections throughout Canada.
Artist Statement
“I paint landscapes that represent the land and its emotional charge. My artistic practice is based on observation of atmospheric abstractions between land and sky.
Every painting starts with experiencing and documenting the landscape; hiking, sketching, painting en plein air and taking reference photographs are the first steps. I complete my artworks afterwards in the studio or during live painting performances. Multiple brushstrokes and washes in watercolour, acrylic or water soluble oil paint create depth in luminous colours.
I am inspired by solar variations that reveal the colours of the land; these natural elements reflect memories of wild spaces, weathered storms, lights on the horizon, moments of grace and the passage of time. My artworks express a profound attachment to nature as well as hope that our environment will have a sustainable future. May they evoke places you cherish and powerful emotions you experienced in the great outdoors.”
Education
2005BFA Honours in Painting, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
1998 - 2001 Studio Art, Concordia University, Montreal, QC
1998DEC Visual Arts, Cegep du Vieux Montreal, Montreal, QC
Selected Awards and Grants
2016 Winner of The Brush Off! (Live Painting), MB Children’s Museum, Winnipeg, MB
2009 Manitoba Arts Council grant for a Manitoba/New Brunswick Creative Residency
2006 Manitoba Arts Council visual arts grant for creation and production
2004 - 2005 UMSU Bursary, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
2004 Lynn Sissons Memorial Scholarship, juried prize for best watercolour painting, Winnipeg, MB
2003 Katherine Bender Bursary, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
2002 The Ministère de l’Éducation du Québec Student Mobility Bursary
1998 CANIF Most promising art graduates award, Cegep du Vieux Montreal, Montreal, QC
Selected Work Experience
2019 Design collaborator, Sky Rug by Pinnacle Seating Studio, Winnipeg, MB
2019 Visual Art workshop, La Maison des Artistes Visuels Francophones, Winnipeg, MB
2019 Round table moderator, Oeuvres en Contexte: Art Extérieur Ephémère, CCFM, MB
2018 - 2019 Curator, Contextualisations, Réseau Nord-Ouest, Winnipeg, MB
2018 - 2019 Art commentator, Le 6 à 9, ICI Radio-Canada Première, Winnipeg, MB
2018 - 2019 Art commentator, Yan Dallaire et Compagnie, Envol FM, Winnipeg, MB
2017 - 2019 Art gallery preparator, Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre, Winnipeg, MB
2013 - 2019 Parent volunteer, Winnipeg School Division 1, Winnipeg, MB
2005 - 2019 Professional artist, Winnipeg, MB
2018 Painting workshop, CJP Gaillardise à la Brise, La Broquerie, Winnipeg, MB
2018 Live painting performance, Sarasvati Productions Femfest, Winnipeg, MB
2018 Curator, Inspirations Manitobaines, CCFM art gallery, Winnipeg, MB
2018 Live painting performance, Garden Party of La Maison des Artistes, Winnipeg, MB
2018 Painting workshop, Saint-Boniface University’s Camplus sur Campus, Winnipeg, MB
2018 Live painting performance, FAFM’s Lucien Guénette tournament, Winnipeg, MB
2018 Live painting performance, Francofonds’ Chefs en Plein Air, Winnipeg, MB
2018 Visual Art workshop, École Saint-Joachim, La Broquerie, MB
2018 Peer assessor in a jury, La Maison des Artistes Visuels Francophones, Winnipeg, MB
2018 Participant in the project Les Allogènes, Théâtre Cercle Molière, Winnipeg, MB
2018 Workshop coordinator, La Maison des Artistes Visuels Francophones, Wpg, MB
2014 - 2018 Face painting organizer and volunteer, Festival du Voyageur, Winnipeg, MB
2013 - 2018 Cultural events volunteer, Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre, Winnipeg, MB
2017 Painting workshop, Théâtre Cercle Molière, Winnipeg, MB
2017 Painting workshop, Winnipeg Gallery Group, La Maison des Artistes Visuels, Winnipeg, MB
2017 Visual arts mentor, Saint-Boniface University, Winnipeg, MB
2017 Chief of Finance and admissions, French Canadian pavillon of Folklorama, Wpg, MB
2017 Peer assessor in a jury, Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre gallery, Winnipeg, MB
2017 Curator in training, CCFM art gallery, Winnipeg, MB
2016 School program facilitator, Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre gallery, Winnipeg, MB
2016 Peer assessor in a jury, Manitoba Arts Council, Winnipeg, MB
2013 - 2014 Peer assessor in a jury, Manitoba Arts Council, Winnipeg, MB
2007 - 2008 Director of Education and Exhibits, Manitoba Children’s Museum, Winnipeg, MB
2006 - 2007 School program facilitator, Winnipeg Art Gallery, Winnipeg, MB
2003 - 2005 Official Language assistant, Winnipeg 1 School Division, Winnipeg, MB
2001 Assistant Director, Galerie Gora, Montréal, QC
1999 - 2002 Box office attendant and customer service, Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui, Montréal, QC
1995 - 1996 Homework Help Centre, Commission Scolaire Val des Cerfs, Knowlton, QC
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2018 Recent Work, Artspace, Winnipeg, MB
2017 Ephemeral Glow, Hors-Cadre gallery, Knowlton, QC
2017 Ephemeral Glow, Wasagaming Arts Centre, Riding Mountain National Park, MB
2017 Ephemeral Glow, La Maison des Artistes Visuels Francophones, Winnipeg, MB
2001 Café La Lippée, Montreal, QC
2000 Luba Lounge, Montreal, QC
2000 Café Rose student gallery, Concordia University, Montreal, QC
1999 Le JinXi, Montreal, QC
1998 CANIF gallery, Cegep du Vieux Montreal, Montreal, QC
Selected Group Exhibitions
2016 - 2019 Over The Top, Mentoring Artists for Women’s Art, Winnipeg, MB
2018 Woman in a Garden, La Maison des Artistes Visuels Francophones, Winnipeg, MB
2018 Live painting and exhibit for Canada Day celebrations, Tourisme Riel, Winnipeg, MB
2018 Wasagaming Arts Centre boutique, Riding Mountain national park, MB
2018 Sanctuaries, La Maison des Artistes Visuels Francophones, Winnipeg, MB
2017 - 2018 Manitoba Society of Artists Juried Exhibit, Warehouse Artworks Gallery, Wpg, MB
2016 - 2018 Annual Artist Mothers Group exhibit, MAWA, Winnipeg, MB
2016 - 2018 Members Exhibit, La Maison des Artistes Visuels Francophones, Winnipeg, MB
2017 Feminist Futures, MAWA members showcase, Winnipeg, MB
2017 The HUB: Un Baiser Français, Cercle Molière, MB
2017 Un Air de Communauté, Ile-des-Chênes, MB
2016 - 2017 Marché de Nuit, exhibit and live painting, Nuit Blanche, Winnipeg, MB
2016 Works on Paper, MAWA Members Showcase, MAWA, Winnipeg, MB
2016 Manitoba Society of Artists Juried Exhibition, Gallery in the Park, Altona, MB
2016 Live painting and exhibit for Canada Day celebrations, Tourisme Riel, Winnipeg, MB
2014 - 2016 The Brush Off!, MB Children’s Museum, Winnipeg, MB
2006 - 2007 Art from the Heart, Magnus Eliason Recreation Centre, Winnipeg, MB
2005 - 2006 Winter Warmer, Aceartinc Gallery, Winnipeg, MB
2004 College Pro, 5 on Third Gallery, Winnipeg, MB
2003 Reservations for all, Aceart Gallery, Winnipeg, MB
2002 October Group Show, GOSA of University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
2001 Art Matters Festival, Concordia University, Montreal, QC
1998 Visual Art graduates exhibit, Agora du cégep du Vieux Montréal, Montréal, QC
1997 Fragments. Emprunts et Délire, Agora du cégep du Vieux Montréal, Montréal, QC
1996 Oxy-Jeunes Festival de Création Jeunesse, cégep Édouard-Montpetit, Longueuil, QC
1995 Oxy-Jeunes Festival de Création Jeunesse, cégep Édouard-Montpetit, Longueuil, QC
Collections
CANIF Collection, Cegep du Vieux Montreal, Montreal, QC
Private collections across Canada
Photo: Marcel Druwé
