Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathalie Lagace
Hi Nathalie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am French Canadian, originally from Montreal, where I grew up. After graduating in graphic design, I began my adult life as a television designer, creating animations and visuals for channels and TV shows. A job that I enjoyed and held for several years until the day when a strange desire for change pushed me towards a non-traditional job as a bus driver.
Behind a huge steering wheel, I began to crisscross the streets of downtown Montreal with the desire to feel useful. I wanted to participate in the collective effort and contribute to reducing the number of vehicles on the road for a greener planet. It’s strange how different life seemed to me after jumping into this uniform! I had to face a completely different image of society than I expected. Poverty, individualism, aggressiveness, misogyny, mental illness… Society presented itself to me in a completely different light. Working in an office building had until then isolated me from the glaring problems of society. It led me to observe people, to try to understand them, to develop my empathy and to become more understanding towards those who were distinct or that had to face different realities. A major asset that I now use to write and illustrate my books for teenagers.
I stayed behind my big steering wheel for several years, facing many experiences and misadventures, not to mention the stress of traffic jams and the mental load that this underestimated profession came with. The city of Austin is a real haven of peace next to Montreal! But taking this detour in my life made me realize that I was an artist and that creation was not just a hobby for me, but something vital that I could not put aside.
And then one day, a job opportunity in Austin presented itself to my partner and I decided to take a year off to jump in the adventure with him. Having an interest in children’s literature and its beautiful illustrations, I used this time to do some research in this direction. I discovered my calling and we decided to stay in Austin where I now work remotely writing and illustrating books.
Four years later, my fifth book will be published this fall on the french market. I also work as a freelance illustrator for various clients including the Royal Canadian Mint for whom I occasionally design some collectible coins.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As you can imagine, no! And I believe that a smooth path is almost impossible in creation, even when you are good and successful. It is a daily battle where perseverance and stubbornness are necessary.
While art is vital to the well-being of society, artists are rarely compensated at their fair value. Given the financial difficulties we face, it is very difficult to indulge in it with complete peace of mind. Worse yet, many people consume art with little regard for the artist and the years of hard work behind it.
Added to this are increasingly radical positions which are pushing our societies towards division and where freedom of expression and its range of possibilities are threatened. When books that would allow young people to think, develop their own opinions and critical thinking are banned from schools and libraries, it becomes very frightening and discouraging situation. In my case, as an author, it’s an additional stick in my wheel.
Giving people the right to think and be different, should not be seen as a threat, but as an asset. As I have seen on several banners that said “Let’s banish hate, not books” I reiterate in this sense… Let’s fight for the right things, for our right to be able to flourish. Let’s feed our society with empathy and kindness and give ourselves the chance to broaden our horizons.
In my opinion, art is like food for the soul and this food is part of the basic needs of a society… It would be great if we could all offer ourselves the best by giving more importance and credit to our “peasant artists” of this world! In the meantime, I will continue to fight to accomplish what I am made for and gifted for. I can’t help it, it just flows in my veins!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
While it all started with painting, it’s my surrealist graphite pencil works that made me stand out. A medium I have specialized in for over ten years now. I have exhibited in several galleries including “LA LUZ DE JESUS GALLERY” in Los Angeles for their “Coaster Show” and at the “ARCH ENEMY ARTS GALLERY” in Philadelphia for their “Small Wonder Group Show”. I have had the pleasure of having my work featured in Beautiful Bizarre Magazine and Juxtapoz Magazine and I am fortunate to be supported by the company Koh-I-Noor USA.
In my free time, I still create artwork, but for the past four years, I have worked primarily on writing and illustrating young adult books. My primary goal behind this type of project is to build a bridge between teenagers and adults, to spark discussions and facilitate an exchange between them. These are, so far, the creations I am most proud of because they give me the feeling of being able to contribute to the well-being of society. Not to mention that in Quebec only five percent of the manuscripts received are accepted and published by editors.
Used by teachers and parents, my books are recognized for the strange magic that emerges from them. Delicate but important subjects that I envelope in an aura of kindness, empathy and respect. A mixture of gentleness that I use without weakening the substance of the subject. A sleight of hand that I use by juxtaposing poetic words with metaphorical images and strong symbols.
My books have received numerous mentions and rave reviews. I was also a finalist in 2022 and 2024 and winner in 2023 of the “Prix Espiègle”, a respected award in Quebec granted each year by school librarians. It is a prize that rewards daring books of high literary quality.
Writing for young people is an incredible opportunity for me. It allows me to connect with younger generations, to face new realities while nourishing my imagination.
What’s next?
I have three new writing projects in progress that I am working on alternately and I am preparing my portfolio to extend my services as an illustrator to the American publishing market. I also plan to explore the English-speaking literary market, which is very different from the Quebec market, to be able to offer books adapted to young Americans.
I would also like to offer drawing and creation classes to young people in the near future. It is so liberating to be able to create, and I believe that awakening a curiosity for creation from a young age is wealth to offer them. I invite interested readers to contact me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nathalielagace.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathalielagace_artiste , https://www.instagram.com/nathalielagace_litterature
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nathalielagaceartiste/
Image Credits
Nathalie Lagace
