Marie-Laure Couët

Marie-Laure Couët – Designer

Award-winning Illustration & Design. Uplifts readers with multiple levels of storytelling and delicate illustration. Moving, silly, strange

Overview

Hailing from Québec City, Marie-Laure is a mixed media illustrator and designer with a love of collage, found objects, and chickens. When she isn't working on picture book illustrations she is empowering other illustrators and forging community as the Illustrator Coordinator for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Canada East.

Before illustration, Marie-Laure ran an award-winning cheesemaking company in Massachusetts, U.S.A. and tended a dozen laying hens. The hens have been replaced by two human babies and, while the babies don't offer any eggs, they do provide Marie-Laure with all the snuggles necessary. And more than enough boogers.

You can reach out to Marie-Laure in French, English, and even in rudimentary Spanish.

What To Expect:

- Deep dive of your manuscript; I am here to tell your story, distill your needs, and create a tailored visual language that elevates your words.

- Thorough research phase

- Extensive discussion before and during storyboarding

- Meticulous and joyful implementation of design in illustration

Testimonials:

Marie-Laure's "watercolor-style illustrations drive the story, offering beautiful, sweeping landscapes of butterflies flying over a body of water and endearing close-ups of the children examining insects. A sweet tale of childhood with lovely images."

- Kirkus Review

Kirkus Awards & Accolades: "Get It"

Featured in January 2026 Kirkus Magazine

"THESE ARE AMAZING!!! You've gone above and beyond what we were anticipating for this project ! And the colour palette is so perfect! Thank you so much for all of your hard work! Honestly, [we] are SO excited for this title!! Your art has made this story so much more than we could have hoped!!"

- Jon Seymour, Tielmour Press

"I absolutely recommend Marie-Laure, working with her is an absolute JOY! She is professional, experienced and intuitive. Her designs are deeply intentional, each aspect is meaningful. Her ability to translate others’ ideas and identities into visual and interactive art... masterful!"

- Rachel Blessington

Services
Non-Fiction
Nature
Fiction
Picture Books
Languages
English
Awards
  • Kirkus Review "Get It" Award for Butterfly Sea, pub. 2025
Certifications
  • Graphic Design Certificate, Rhode Island School of Design
  • Master's in Environmental Science & Policy, Brown University
  • Bachelor's in Government & Environmental Studies, Smith College

Work experience

The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators

Feb, 2024 — Present
Providing guidance and inspiring community for our regional illustrator members via monthly get-togethers and workshops. Also creating an illustrator mentorship program and spotlighting illustration members on the SCBWI Canada East website.

Self-employed

Sep, 2020 — Present
Published picture book illustrator and graphic designer.

Portfolio

Butterfly Sea

Mackey, Cynthia

Tielmour Press

Cover Design Illustration

Professionals similar to Marie-Laure

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Renáta Przibislawszky

Renáta P.

Experienced in illustrating children's books and literary fiction. Passionate about creating fantastical worlds and lovable characters.

Budapest, Hungary

100% reply rate

View profile
Bianca Anton

Bianca A.

Freelance illustrator with 8 years of experience in working with publishers and self-publishers who need children's book illustrations.

Brașov, Romania

100% reply rate

View profile
Ruta C

Ruta C.

Award-Winning illustrator with a textile design background specialising in decorative floral illustrations with vintage aesthetic.

Truro, UK

100% reply rate

View profile