Meet the 17-year-old Quebec painter taking her work international

Mégane Fortin, a 17-year-old abstract artist from Stoneham, Quebec, has been defying traditional painting principles since she was a child. Instead of following the rules, she decided to paint outside the lines, a decision that has led to her success in the art world.

Fortin’s creativity blossomed when her mom enrolled her in an abstract painting course at the age of seven. She found the experience liberating, describing art as therapy. At just nine years old, she presented her first collection and has been creating and selling her pieces ever since.

Her work has gained recognition not only in Quebec but also across Canada and internationally. Fortin has showcased her paintings in New York and Los Angeles and was recently invited to exhibit at Spectrum Miami, one of the largest art fairs in the world.

Eric Smith, the owner of Spectrum Miami, explains that the event attracts hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors during Miami’s art week. Fortin was selected as one of the 190 exhibitors and had the opportunity to paint live in front of an audience, showcasing her unique approach to art.

Fortin’s mother, Jessie Tremblay, has been instrumental in supporting her daughter’s artistic career. She noticed Fortin’s talent at a young age and has worked part-time to help facilitate the behind-the-scenes work and shipping of Fortin’s artwork.

Fortin’s unconventional approach to painting extends to her personal style, as she often wears the same clothes covered in paint and uses her hands to create a deeper connection with her art. She embraces her atypical artist persona, refusing to wash her brushes and knives to preserve the creative process.

Looking ahead, Fortin dreams of expanding her reach to Europe and becoming a resident artist abroad. She also hopes to continue participating in Miami art week in the years to come, establishing her credibility as a young artist in the competitive art world.