Magali Lapeyre-Mirande: The Art of Contemporary Wildlife Drawing
The eye of an engineer, the hand of an artist
My name is Magali Lapeyre-Mirande, and I am a wildlife artist specializing in contemporary art. I am self-taught, originally from Gironde, France, and currently live in a town near Bordeaux.
My journey bridges two worlds that are often mistakenly pitted against one another: Cartesian rigor and artistic emotion. With a degree in computer engineering, I devoted eight years of my career to 3D scientific visualization. While algorithms structured my daily life, it was the visual dimension that fascinated me: deciphering light, understanding volume, and translating the complexity of reality into images.
After a creative hiatus during my studies and the early years of my adult life, the urge to draw returned as a vital necessity. Today, I have definitively traded pixels for paper, rediscovering the freedom and authenticity of organic movement, while retaining the almost surgical precision inherited from my technical background.
The call of the great outdoors: a wild inspiration
My art isn’t created solely in the studio; it takes root on hiking trails, in the heart of national parks where the silence commands respect. Passionate about the wilderness, I draw my inspiration from the vastness of the landscapes and encounters with living creatures.
My travels are my main sources of inspiration: the silence and endless forests of Canada, the raw, arctic light of Norway, and the telluric and volcanic power of Réunion Island.
Through my graphite and charcoal drawings, I seek to capture this silent presence, this raw emotion captured during my explorations, to remind us of the essential and fragile place of life in our contemporary world.
A major distinction
Highlight: I am particularly honored to have received the Gold Medal from the National Salon of Wildlife Artists (SNAA) in 2025. In a world where painting and sculpture traditionally dominate, seeing my work as a draftsman recognized by this prestigious institution fills me with immense pride. For me, it is validation that drawing, in all its simplicity, possesses a power and a nobility capable of touching the heart.
From original works to art prints
My artistic world takes many forms, all driven by the same commitment: to bring the sensitivity of living things to light. Today, my work is available through:
- Original Works: One-of-a-kind graphite pieces that truly reflect my artistic exploration.
- Limited Edition Prints: Numbered and signed fine art reproductions, perfect for exceptional home decor.
- Custom Commissions: Unique creations to immortalize a special connection with the animal world.
Each creation is designed to meaningfully enhance your collection or living space, offering a lasting and profound aesthetic experience.
A renowned and award-winning artistic style
My work has consistently received institutional recognition within the contemporary and animal art scenes. Every award I have received at national and international art fairs attests to the precision of my technique and the merit of my artistic approach.
Acquiring one of my works is an investment in art acclaimed by the most discerning juries of experts, thereby guaranteeing enduring artistic and professional value.
- 2026: Silver Medal, Paintings/Works on Paper Section, Salon des Artistes Français, Paris, France
- 2025: Gold Medal, National Salon of Animal Artists, Bry-sur-Marne, France
- 2024: Bronze Medal, National Salon of Animal Artists, Bry-sur-Marne, France
- 2024: Lelivredart Prize / Salon d’Automne for my work “Sérénity,” Salon d’Automne, Paris, France
- 2024: Young Artist Prize for my works exhibited at the 16th Biennale of Animal Sculpture and Painting, Rambouillet, France
- 2024: Vermeil Medal for my body of work from the Arts-Sciences-Lettres Academy, Paris, France
- 2024: Bronze Medal, Paintings/Works on Paper Section, Salon des Artistes Français, Paris, France
- 2023: Finalist for the Pierre David-Weill Drawing Prize from the Academy of Fine Arts, Paris, France
- 2021: ArAnimA Prize – LPO France, ArA d’Or Trophy at the ArAnimA group exhibition, Paris, France
- 2018: Finalist in the “Wildlife Artist of the Year” competition, London, England
Exhibitions and News
Drawing is best experienced through a physical encounter with the medium. My work is regularly selected and exhibited in prestigious venues dedicated to contemporary art and animal art throughout France.
These events offer a unique opportunity to discover the subtlety of graphite, the depth of carbon, and the intensity of the gazes I capture. Below you will find my upcoming exhibitions and artistic events.
To trace my entire career and explore my history of gallery and fair appearances, I invite you to view my complete artistic resume.
- June 11–14, 2026: Blaye en état d’Art, Blaye (33), France
Step inside the studio
To make sure you don’t miss out on my new series of drawings, get early access to my latest creations, and stay up to date on my exhibition news, I invite you to join my community.
By subscribing to the newsletter, you’ll dive into the heart of my artistic world and enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes access to my work, as well as announcements about my available original pieces.
Collaborations and galleries: where can I see my work?
Gallery exhibitions are a natural extension of my studio work. They provide the perfect setting for a dialogue between my hyperrealistic drawings and the viewer’s perspective. You can currently view my original series in these spaces dedicated to artistic excellence:
Galerie Nature Forte | Paris
My flagship series “Wild Spirits” is currently on display there. Through these works, I explore the fine line and the deep connection between animals and humans. This collaboration with a socially conscious Parisian gallery allows me to bring my artistic vision to the heart of a vital conversation about the preservation and beauty of life.
Galerie ADN | Rouen
I am pleased to announce my new collaboration with Galerie ADN in Rouen. There, you can discover an exclusive selection of five original works from my recent research:
“In the Light” series: 3 major works playing on striking contrasts and the brilliance of graphite.
“Brushstrokes” Series: 2 drawings exploring a more graphic and modern approach to animal art.
These gallery collaborations offer collectors the authenticity and museum-quality of my work as an artist.
Publications and Press: My Work in Art Publishing
My work is also promoted through books and specialized publications. These publications reflect the recognition of my artistic approach by art critics, journalists, and renowned academies.
Collector’s Books & Catalogs
- 18 Regards d’Artistes – Éditions Lelivredart (April 2025): Publication of an exclusive two-page spread (pp. 18–19) following the award of the Lelivredart Prize at the 2024 Salon d’Automne. A reference work on contemporary art.
- Rayonnement Magazine No. 73 – Arts-Sciences-Lettres (June 2024): * Article dedicated to the “Beauté Animale” exhibition at the Galerie Courcelles (p. 27).
- Publication of the official list of winners from the Salon des Artistes Français (p. 38).
Specialized Press & Magazines
- Faune Sauvage (September 2024): Detailed artist profile exploring my graphite technique and my relationship with the living world.
- Pif le Mag No. 6 (March 2022): Feature on the ArAnimA exhibition (p. 48), highlighting the commitment to protecting biodiversity through art.