Katy Lemay: 27 Years of Contemporary Collage Illustration That Continues to Shape Global Visual Culture

Anna g. with Katy Lemay 1999

I’ve had the privilege of representing Quebec-based illustrator Katy Lemay for over 27 years through Anna Goodson Illustration Agency, and her work continues to be as relevant, in-demand, and influential today as when I first discovered her.

Katy Lemay is a contemporary collage illustrator known for her distinctive visual language that blends digital collage, archival photography, drawing, and graphic composition. Her illustration style is both poetic and conceptual, exploring themes of memory, heritage, femininity, identity, and surrealist storytelling.

Her work stands out in the world of editorial illustration, cultural illustration, and publishing illustration for its ability to merge historical reference with contemporary visual storytelling. Each composition is rich in symbolism, often combining vintage imagery and layered textures to create narratives that feel timeless yet strikingly modern.

Over the course of her career, Katy Lemay has received numerous international illustration awards recognizing the originality, technical sophistication, and conceptual depth of her work. Her illustrations have been commissioned by leading magazines, cultural institutions, and global brands, including Oprah Magazine, Unibroue, and Canada Post, for which she designed a commemorative stamp.

What continues to impress me most is the enduring demand for her work. In an increasingly fast-moving visual landscape, Katy’s illustration remains highly sought after by art directors and editors who are looking for intelligent, meaningful, and visually sophisticated storytelling.

Beyond the professional journey, Katy and I have built a relationship that has grown over nearly three decades into a lifelong friendship. That level of trust and creative alignment is rare in the illustration industry and something I deeply value.

Katy Lemay’s work is a powerful example of why strong conceptual illustration endures: it evolves with time, but never loses its voice. Today, her contemporary collage illustration practice is not only still relevant—it is more in demand than ever in editorial, branding, and cultural storytelling worldwide.