Eva Lemay is a French artist who finds inspiration in the vastness of nature and human connection to the cosmos. Her artistic philosophy is rooted in the idea that landscapes and celestial bodies serve as metaphors for human destiny. Lemay’s paintings are filled with recurring motifs — skies in endless variation, chromatic ranges of land, and the call of distant stars. Her works evoke contemplation, offering a space for reflection on the human experience within the universe. “In my compositions, there are recurring motifs, the variations of a sky, the chromatic ranges of a land, the call of the stars, the surf at the foot of a cliff. These idealized spaces are for me so many visions of human destiny within the living universe,” she says. Through layering, impasto, and glazes, Lemay creates textured surfaces that hold a mirror to human desires, calling viewers to find time for stillness and contemplation.
One of Lemay’s works, “Fleur de Lune,” presents a semi-abstract aquatic scene that captures the delicate balance between fluidity and depth. The painting features lily pads and koi fish, subtly rendered within a palette dominated by greens. Lemay’s brushwork is expressive and dynamic, blending soft washes with thicker impastos to create a surface that feels both serene and alive. The layers of paint suggest the movement of water, with the light catching on ripples and revealing hidden depths beneath the surface.
What makes “Fleur de Lune” compelling is its dreamlike quality. Lemay uses minimal details to hint at recognizable forms, allowing the viewer to engage their imagination. The lily pads are not meticulously outlined but suggested through variations in tone and texture. The koi fish, with their graceful curves, emerge softly from the shadows, their presence implied rather than overt. This approach invites viewers to linger, to explore the painting’s layers and discover new elements with each viewing.
“I do not aim to faithfully represent reality but rather to convey an emotion tied to natural elements,” Lemay explains. “In this visual journey, colors play a dominant role in the construction, the contrasts, and the luminosity. I work in a very instinctive way with large brushes to have a trace both fluid and textured.” Her method combines layering, scratching, and blending to create a rich surface with palpable reliefs, shifting lights, and changing shadows. This tactile quality enhances the painting’s organic feel, making it seem as though it breathes with life.
Another work, “Vert Iroise,” explores the intersection of abstraction and natural suggestion. Dominated by deep blues and turquoise tones, the painting evokes a seascape filled with light and shadow. Lemay’s layering technique is evident in this piece, with colors flowing into one another to create a sense of depth and motion. The brushstrokes, both sweeping and textured, convey the rhythmic movement of waves, while subtle shifts in hue hint at sunlight filtering through water.
“Vert Iroise” is not a literal depiction of the sea but an emotional interpretation of it. Lemay captures the essence of the seascape — the feeling of standing at the edge of the water, watching the ever-changing play of light and shadow on the waves. The painting invites viewers to pause and immerse themselves in its layers, exploring the interplay of textures and colors that reveal the artist’s emotional connection to nature.
Lemay’s use of color in “Vert Iroise” is beautiful. The blues and turquoises shift from deep, almost inky tones to brighter, more luminous shades, creating a dynamic contrast that mimics the ocean’s changing moods. Scratches and blending marks in the paint surface add to the sense of movement, suggesting the constant ebb and flow of water. The absence of fine detail allows for a more open interpretation, giving the painting a universal quality that resonates with viewers on an emotional level.
Lemay describes her process as intuitive and spontaneous. “I work in a very instinctive way with large brushes to have a trace both fluid and textured,” she says. “With layering, scratching, and blending, a rich surface with palpable reliefs, shifting lights, and changing shadows. With only minimal details, I open my painting to the viewer’s interpretation and the free joy of exploration.” This approach results in paintings that feel alive, constantly shifting depending on how the light hits them or how the viewer engages with them.
Both “Fleur de Lune” and “Vert Iroise” exemplify Lemay’s ability to balance abstraction and suggestion, creating works that evoke the natural world without confining it to literal representation. Her paintings are not just visual experiences but emotional journeys, encouraging viewers to slow down, reflect, and find meaning in the interplay of color, texture, and light.
Lemay’s work is a reminder of the beauty and complexity of the natural world and our place within it. Her compositions speak to the human desire for connection — with nature, with the cosmos, and with our inner selves. Through her art, Lemay offers a space for contemplation, inviting viewers to explore their emotions and imaginations in response to her evocative landscapes.
