Discovering our illustrators: Léa Médine

Léa Médine is an inspired and inspiring artist, whose creative universe expresses itself through a multitude of art forms: illustration, painting, photography, and much more. Passionate about nature, her creations are an intimate reflection of her deep connection with the world around her. Each piece testifies to her constant exploration and need to immerse herself in new artistic experiences, from textures to patterns to colors, to give life to a unique and deeply personal universe.

Beyond her natural talent, Léa has her own artistic approach, combining self-taught and academic training. Her atypical background and singular artistic vision make her a fascinating figure for those interested in the fusion of art and nature. This article invites you to discover her background, her inspirations, and dive into the creative process that drives her work.

This is our first collaboration with Léa, who allows us to present her creations on our tea caddies.

• What drew you to illustration?

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve felt an irrepressible need to create. Illustration naturally became a means of expression, even though I’ve explored other art forms such as painting, film photography and textiles. My career path began with a baccalaureate in fashion, clothing option, followed by a preparatory course at the Beaux-Arts. I also obtained certification in nature animation, which enabled me to combine my love of nature with my art by organizing workshops in vegetable dyeing and other creative techniques.

• Do you have a formal education, or are you self-taught?

I’ve been fortunate enough to attend a few training courses, but I consider myself largely self-taught. Most of what I know I learned by experimenting on my own. This off-the-beaten-track approach has enabled me to develop a more intuitive and personal approach. I draw inspiration from everything around me, and I find that creative autonomy allows me to give free rein to my curiosity and my desire to explore everything.

• Your style and your world are distinctive and recognizable, but we all have our sources of inspiration. What are yours?

Nature is definitely my main source of inspiration. I love observing the organic forms, textures and colors of plants, animals and landscapes. It’s an inexhaustible world of ideas and motifs that I incorporate into my work. Beyond that, I’m also very much inspired by my own emotions and life experiences. My work often reflects how I feel, and sometimes I create in reaction to personal events. This gives my art an aspect that is both sensitive and introspective.

• Do you have a creative ritual you’d like to share? 🙂

I don’t really have a precise ritual, but I often work at night. That’s when I feel most connected to my creative process. I immerse myself in a kind of bubble where I almost lose track of time. It’s hard to explain, but I feel connected to something bigger than myself. Sometimes I wake up without remembering exactly what I created the day before, as if another energy had taken over. It’s a very spontaneous, spiritual process, and I like to be surprised by the end result.

• Are you currently working on one or more projects?

At the moment, I’m working on several projects. I’m collaborating with Maisons de la Nature, where I’m developing illustrations on specific themes, such as forest animals or beach birds. At the same time, I’m preparing several exhibitions and art markets for the coming months. I’m also trying to set up creative workshops for children and adults in associations and schools. It’s a very recent project, but I really want to share my love of art and nature with as many people as possible.

• Finally, can you give me a link to discover or rediscover your work?

You can follow my work on Instagram and Facebook and on the site artistes62, although I tend to share mostly event photos and posters there. You can come and discover my world at my exhibitions and markets, and I’m currently planning to open a studio in my house to welcome the public and organize open houses. It’s an opportunity for me to create a direct link with people and share my work in a more intimate setting.