My name is Marie, and I’m a self-taught illustrator based in Connemara, Galway, where I landed 11 years ago.
My origin story
I’m originally from the French Pyrenees, where I studied catering and hospitality for four years. I first came to Ireland through that school for an internship, and it was then that I fell in love… with the smell of turf and crisp sandwiches!
I travelled and worked across this industry in France, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland. All these experiences strengthened my connection to people and inspired my love for portrait drawing and creative expression, something that’s been with me since I was a child.
A few years ago, I started exploring “maker” projects — designing faces on plates and turning antiques into candles. I’ve always loved taking old things and transforming them into something special: modern, personal, and with a retro twist.
I grew up in the 90s surrounded by family who were passionate about what we call in France brocante and vide grenier — hunting for antiques and treasures. My uncle, a collector of vintage toys, even turned his hobby into his career. As a child, I was captivated by old vending machines selling sweets and photobooths at Monoprix in my hometown. Seeing a machine where you could pull a curtain, sit down, and get a picture in just three minutes felt marvelous. I asked my granny countless times to go inside one!
That childhood fascination, combined with my lifelong love of drawing and connecting with people, inspired Flash Box — a pink photobooth that hand-draws guests in real time. In a world full of AI, Flash Box is a reminder that human creativity is still magical, fun, and completely unique. It’s about laughter, interaction, and making memories — one hand-drawn portrait at a time.
Let’s chat : )
flashboxart@gmail.com
+353 (0) 89 201 0255
Instagram: @flashboxart