Illustrator Agathe Marty on freedom and how to turn a passion into a job without a degree.

Looking at French illustrator Agathe Marty’s drawings makes us long for those joyful days spent at the beach. The photographer has a self-confessed obsession with the sun (it’s even written on her Instagram bio), having traveled across the world to make idyllic memories by the sea. It all started during her early childhood spent in the South of France. From then on, sun-drenched holidays became something of a lasting thread.

Agathe's roots undoubtedly influenced her style of illustration. Her illustrations, whether figurative, portrait or landscape, are related to the South of France, but also Australia where she lived, in some way — sunlight, palm trees and beaches are the key ingredients that Make up her work.

This is why we decided to collaborate with her for the restart of Club Med 2, our sailing boat.

Here, we speak with Agathe about holiday romanticism, the power of working and traveling simultaneously and why she thinks you don’t need formal training to become an artist

You grew up in the South of France and it says on your IG bio that you are inspired by the sun. How did the southern lifestyle shaped and flavoured your aesthetic?

I was born in a city near Toulouse where the skies are blue almost all year long and the weather is warm. The summer there stretches through October. It is an environment in which I feel good and the most at home. Naturally, it inspires my work and aesthetic.

This is probably why you fell in love with Australia when you moved there later in life?

Australia is something that happened after my studies in PR and Communications. What was meant to be a sabbatical year turned into the start of a new life down under. The feeling of constantly being on a trip while on the other side of the world was so amazing. I felt so comfortable there that I just had to extend. I ended up staying there for a total of four and a half years.

“I was born in a city near Toulouse where the skies are blue almost all year long and the summer there stretches through October. It is an environment in which I feel good and the most at home.”

And you started drawing while you were there?

I started to draw the classic way, with paint and pastel, but it was only for myself and there was no ambition to make a job out of it at that point.

Did you have some exposure to art as a child?

Yes and no. My mother is a painter so I was familiar, and my father was very creative too. But I was never into arts myself. It really developed later when I discovered digital art.

Your illustrations feel like a distant holiday memory. How did you develop this signature?

I used to draw a lot of portraits of women before and they were more detailed, with a lot more colors. Then I realized that the holiday theme came up all the time and slowly, my style evolved towards a very solar imagery. It's perfect because people like it and it gives me the impression of being in summer all year round!

What is your creative process like? Do you observe your surroundings and draw or is it more imaginative?

It depends. Often it's flashes of travel memories, but sometimes it's also my imagination that speaks. When I think of being on a beach, under a palm tree, I'll just start drawing my daydreams.

Have you always been a dreamer?

I had the chance to travel a lot and I realized that it was when I was out of my routine that I felt the most fulfilled. It's not a coincidence that I developed an activity that gives me a lot of freedom and flexibility, I think. If one day, I decide I want to travel all year round, all I need is my iPad and I’m good to go. That was a goal I had set myself and I am very proud to have reached it.

“Often my illustrations are flashes of travel memories, but sometimes it's also my imagination that speaks. When I think of being on a beach, under a palm tree, I'll just start drawing my daydreams.”

Lucky you! How do you sustain that perfect work-life balance for yourself?

I make the most out of my flexibility. I travel a lot and I try to organise at least one big international trip every year. The rest of the time, I work from home which never bores me because I know I can always book a ticket and go wherever I want, whenever I want. This freedom is what holds me and keeps me balanced. Not being attached to one place is what I need.

What is the project that you are the most happy about?

This one with Club Med is a milestone for me. Not only is it an iconic brand, but they have also offered me the opportunity to create 12 pieces with so much freedom. It was a big proud moment for me. I also love textile design. I worked with the brand Tajinebanane and created motifs for their children's clothes last spring. I loved it and had so much fun doing it!

“Freedom is what holds my life together. Not being attached to one place is what keeps me happy.”

You are a living proof that it's not because you are not formally trained in a certain field that it is not for you. What would you say to a young student who aspires to become an artist but isnt in art school?

Art is very subjective. Everyone can understand beauty and you don't need any theoretical training to acquire this sensitivity. There are so many tools at our fingertips on the internet today. I learned to draw on the iPad through YouTube tutorials and never felt like I was missing anything. I would tell them to go for it, follow their instincts and go online!

If you could travel with Club Med right now, where would you go?

Greece!