

Biography Interview
Katy Lemay is an illustrator specialized in collage. Katy lives and works in a suburb of Montreal, Canada. With over 25 years of experience in art, Katy was one of the first illustrators to be represented by Anna Goodson. Her unique style of illustration using digital collage allows her to communicate impactful concepts with compelling and often surprising images. Katy works with Photoshop and sometimes in Illustrator. She uses this software like a pair of scissors. Transformation tools allow her to create her unique compositions as a form of accidental art.
Katy loves the variety that collage gives her, which allows her to work on different subjects and to adapt to her clients’ requests. Over the course of her prolific and rewarding career, she has had the chance to collaborate with clients in editorial, advertising, corporate, animation and museum industries. Curious and creative, Katy has recently been exploring textile printing and the transposition of her illustrations for screen printing.
Selected clients
TIME magazine, TELUS, Edelman - Communications Marketing Firm, CBC, ONF , OPRAH magazine, U of T , The Globe And Mail, Jane Hopkin , Hambly and Wooley agencie, Canadian Family, Azure magazine, Today's Parent, Benefit Selling , Québec Sciences Magazine , L'Actualité
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Katy Lemay
Illustrating the future
We work with the world's most brilliant and visionary creatives to bring the boldest concepts to life.
Your pronouns:
She/her
Where is home?
In a suburb of Montreal
Describe your style in one sentence:
Conceptual images with a surprising twist
What lights your soul on fire?
Making art with my hands, new challenges with experimentation of my artwork on different formats
What themes do you enjoy exploring?
I really like to create illustrations with archived photographs
What techniques do you use?
Collages by hand, analog techniques, watercolor, gouache
How much of yourself and your own story can we see in your work?
My clumsiness in trying to draw some parts of my artwork
Is there an unmistakable thread in your creative work?
Black and white photos, textured background
What do you want to be known for?
For my sensibility, humanity, and kindness
Which projects excite you most?
Biographic projects about women in history
What is your dream gig?
I really like when an art director gives me full trust and is excited to work with me.
Where, when and how do you best create?
I love to work late at night in my workshop (sometimes I even sleep there) and, dare I say, under pressure.
How has your style evolved since you started?
I think that it’s more straight to the point and more communicative.
What do you find most challenging in your practice or in the industry?
Coping with new demands in promoting my work on different platforms. The need to always entertain to be seen and followed.
How as being an illustrator changed your life?
It allowed me to make art and be paid for it!!!
Name a tool you can’t live without!
My scanner
Tell us about a project you worked on that was meaningful to you as an artist.
I did an art residency in a convent called “Monastère des Augustines” for 5 weeks and I did 4 major exhibits working with their archives.
What influences or inspires your art?
Louise Bourgeois, Dada, literature
What would you tell your younger self?
You are doing your best
Why do you think art speaks louder than words?
An image is a power strike to communicate a message