Here at Slowdown Studio we love collaborating with emerging and established artists from across the globe. We recently had the opportunity to chat with Amélie Lehoux, the artist behind the new Papillons Mini Blanket and much-loved Maple Throw. Amélie is a Canadian graphic designer and illustrator who loves to experiment with collage, traditional media, and digital techniques. Her work is all about the playful dance between shapes, colors, and textures.
1. Who do you think is the most exciting emerging creative in your city?
Specifically from Québec, singer-songwriters Ariane Roy and Lou-Adriane Cassidy. From Canada, singer-songwriters Nemahsis and Helena Deland.
2. Where are your favourite places to go in your city?
I love going to the botanical gardens. It’s so important for me to connect with nature, to look at flowers, trees, critters, animals, etc. I love looking for bookstores and thrifting/antiquing spots. An afternoon buying books and trinkets is a perfect afternoon to me!
3. What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself when you were starting out in art?
I would tell myself to make things that I want to see out in the world.
4. What are you listening to in your studio at the moment?
Lately I’ve been listening to The Replacements, The Cars, Labi Siffre and the artists I mentioned in the first question.
Amélie with her Papillons Mini Blanket
5. What inspired your design for this latest blanket design?
Nature always inspires me. I often find myself drawing butterflies. It might be cliché, but I’m drawn to this aspect of evolution, transformation.
6. What's your favorite way to slow down?
Playing video games, reading, taking a walk, cooking/baking.
7. What's the most memorable book you've read in the last few years?
So many! But one that stands out is Carmen Maria Machado’s In the Dream House. It is a really unique and highly inventive piece of literature. I’ve never read anything like it! I was amazed by her ability to expand on so many different iterations of content vs form.
8. What has been the happiest/most rewarding moment of your art career?
I would have to say the Pride jersey I designed for the Montreal Canadiens. It was incredible to see my work come to life in this way. The turnaround was also extremely short and I was proud of what I made with the amount of time I was given.
9. How does living in your city influence your work? Is there anything about your city that has defined how or what you create?
Montréal is a vibrant, effervescent city overflowing with talented creatives. I’m lucky to be surrounded by brilliant people that inspire me every day.
Maple Throw designed by Amélie
10. What are you most excited/looking forward to this year?
There is a very exciting project that I’ve been working on for a year that is coming out soon. I’m looking forward to that!
Instagram: @amelehoux
Website: https://amelielehoux.com
