Meet Noémie L. Côté
In the vibrant world of fine art, few names resonate as strongly as Noémie L. Côté. Based in Ottawa, Canada, she has built a career that bridges continents, cultures, and creative disciplines. Known for her bold, textured oil paintings and her signature Canadian twist on Open Impressionism, Noémie has become an internationally acclaimed Canadian landscape artist whose canvases are sought after across North America and beyond. She is renowned for her contemporary approach to textured oil landscapes, blending sculptural brushwork, bold color, and emotional depth to reimagine Canada’s natural beauty. Today, her modern impressionist landscapes are represented by leading galleries across Canada, collected by private and corporate patrons across North America, and recognized with numerous prestigious awards for artistic excellence. Each canvas she creates captures not only a view but a feeling, an invitation to step into nature’s poetry where light, memory, and emotion converge.
Early Years: Finding a Voice in Art
Noémie L. Côté’s artistic journey began far from her native Canada. Raised in Gatineau, Quebec, her world shifted at the age of nine when her family relocated to Zimbabwe for her father’s diplomatic post. For a young girl who spoke only French, stepping into an English-speaking public school was overwhelming. She found herself on the outside, unable to communicate or participate in activities. Instead of retreating into silence, she discovered another language, the language of art. Hours after school were spent sketching rose bushes, Acadia gum trees, and the luminous skies that stretched across her new home.
Reflecting on this period, she explains, “Art became my primary form of communication, capturing the beauty, culture, and wildlife that surrounded me when words could not.”
Her artistic path took shape when she began studying with celebrated Zimbabwean painter Peter Birch, whose mentorship instilled in her both technical skill and an appreciation for the transformative power of creativity. Under his guidance, she developed a sensitivity to light, color, and texture while also learning the profound emotional impact that art could carry.
Finding Rhythm in Canada’s Landscapes
Returning to Canada at 13, Noémie carried with her a dual lens shaped by African vibrancy and Canadian stillness. The rhythm of Canada’s landscapes fascinated her: the deep green forests of summer, the blaze of autumn leaves, and the quiet serenity of winter snow. This interplay of contrasts became a recurring theme in her work.
Discover and collect Noémie L. Côté’s internationally acclaimed landscape paintings here.
Her talent quickly gained recognition. She earned a four-year scholarship to the prestigious Canterbury Arts High School in Ottawa, where she thrived in an intensive arts environment, graduating with honors. There, she deepened her skills in sculpture, painting, and visual expression. Later, she pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics at Concordia University in Montreal, complemented by a diploma in Digital Multimedia Design from the International Academy of Design & Technology. This blend of fine art and digital innovation opened professional doors, leading her to a 23-year career in graphic design and marketing.
Designing a Creative Career
For more than two decades, Noémie built a reputation as a skilled graphic designer and marketing professional, working with organizations across Canada and abroad. She designed websites, developed brand identities, and led marketing strategies that elevated businesses and inspired audiences. At Valecraft Homes, she managed multiple brands and increased online leads by 66% in a single year through strategic design and storytelling.
Alongside this, she ran her own boutique studio, Rocket Creatives, where she crafted visual identities and creative solutions for clients in Ottawa and beyond. Her design career sharpened her eye for composition, instilled discipline, and deepened her understanding of how visuals connect with human emotion. These experiences became the foundation of her return to fine art. Even amid deadlines and campaigns, Noémie continued painting; exploring life drawing, sculpture, and oil landscapes until her artistic voice could no longer be contained.
A Leap Into Full-Time Painting
In 2020, after years of balancing design with her passion for painting, Noémie took the leap to pursue fine art full-time. She brought together decades of design expertise with her lifelong love of nature, embracing her true calling as a landscape artist. Her style emerged as a signature Canadian twist on Open Impressionism, a modern evolution of impressionist traditions. With thick, impasto brushwork, vibrant pre-mixed colors, and spontaneous strokes, her landscapes convey not just a scene but the energy and mood of a moment. Explore more here.
For Noémie, the essence of her art lies in creating a connection: “In contrast to the chaos and harshness of daily life, I find solace in bringing nature’s soothing, grounding, and effortless beauty to canvas.”
Her process begins outdoors, capturing the spirit of places like Muskoka’s tranquil lakes, the untamed wilderness of Canada’s national parks, the majestic Rockies, and the sweeping coastal views. Each canvas reflects the immediacy of nature; a memory of light, a whisper of wind, or the stillness of dawn. As she describes, “I specialize in capturing a moment, a mood, and even a memory within landscape paintings.” Collectors frequently describe her work as uplifting and emotionally resonant.
Recognition Across Borders
Noémie’s dedication has not gone unnoticed. In recent years, she has garnered significant national and international recognition. She was named International Artist of the Year 2024 by the Circle Foundation for the Arts, selected from among 600 international artists. That same year, she received the Artistic Expression Award from the Society of Canadian Artists for her painting Autumn’s Glory. Building on this momentum, her 2025 work Morning Hues received the prestigious Maple Leaf Award at the Beyond Time and Space exhibition, celebrating her exceptional contribution to Western-style art.
Discover and collect Noémie L. Côté’s internationally acclaimed landscape paintings here.
Her painting Whispers of Dawn was juried into the 57th Society of Canadian Artists Exhibition, further cementing her reputation among Canada’s leading contemporary artists. When asked about these milestones, she described them as affirmations of her voice:
“Winning first place was humbling, but it affirmed that there was a space for me internationally and that this voice I’ve spent years refining speaks to people beyond Canada’s borders.
Art That Captures Headlines
Noémie’s art has drawn attention not only in galleries but also across influential media platforms. She has been profiled in Ottawa Life Magazine, which highlighted her distinctive “sugar-pop hues” and bold impasto strokes that reimagine Canadian landscapes. The Circle Foundation for the Arts featured her in an in-depth interview following her International Artist of the Year award, showcasing her vibrant modern impressionist landscapes and her unique process.
Her work has also been published in House & Garden Magazine (Condé Nast), and she was selected for the French-language TV documentary Les couleurs de ma ville, where she demonstrated her technique alongside other celebrated Canadian artists. These features, combined with interviews and coverage in national and international art journals, have amplified her visibility as an Internationally Acclaimed Canadian Landscape Artist, ensuring her work resonates with audiences far beyond Canada’s borders.
Exhibitions That Tell a Story
Today, Noémie’s work is represented by respected galleries across Canada, including Koyman Galleries in Ottawa, Hambleton Galleries in British Columbia, Butter Gallery in Collingwood, and Crown & Press Gallery in Hamilton. Her paintings are part of private and corporate collections across North America, including commissions for diplomats and professionals seeking a meaningful reflection of Canada’s natural beauty.
She has participated in dozens of juried exhibitions, fairs, and festivals, including the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, the Artist Project, The New Art Festival, and solo guest exhibitions such as Nature’s Canvas at Galerie Old Chelsea. She is also the founder of the Petite Art Show, a juried online event that showcased over 50 Canadian artists annually.
Transforming Memories into Masterpieces
In addition to ready-to-purchase works, Noémie offers bespoke commissions that transform personal landscapes into heirloom pieces. Whether it’s the view from a family cottage, the path of a favorite nature walk, or a vineyard bathed in morning light, she transforms personal memories into textured oil paintings that feel both intimate and timeless. Her collaborative process invites clients into the journey, beginning with sketches and color studies, moving through digital mockups, and culminating in a finished canvas that exceeds expectation. Explore more here.
As one collector reflected, “Each time I look at my painting I find a new element to enjoy. Her process with clients is very engaging, and she captures ideas and photos, transforming them into bold and beautiful creativity that exceeds expectations.”
These personalized works have become a signature part of her practice, turning memories of cottages, vineyards, and travel into lasting works of art.
Philosophy and Artistic Vision
At the heart of Noémie’s practice is a desire to evoke joy, hope, and connection through art. She views her canvases as invitations for viewers to pause, reflect, and reconnect with nature’s rhythms.
“While art is a matter of personal interpretation, it is my sincere hope that my paintings instill joy and hope,” she shares.
Influenced by Canadian masters such as the Group of Seven, as well as Impressionist painter Claude Monet and contemporary artist Erin Hanson, she has developed her own modern expression rooted in both tradition and innovation. Her vibrant brushwork has been described as “sugar-pop hues,” infusing her landscapes with life, movement, and light.
Looking Ahead: Expanding Horizons
With dozens of exhibitions behind her and representation across Canada, Noémie’s artistic journey continues to grow. As she continues to expand her reach, Noémie has been invited to international residencies, including a planned project in China exploring a dialogue between Eastern and Western landscapes. Her goal remains constant: to create art that transcends cultural and geographic boundaries. “Art bridges barriers of politics, race, culture, and language. It’s a unifying force that connects us all,” she affirms.
From her early days sketching under the African sun to her current status as an internationally acclaimed Canadian landscape artist, Noémie L. Côté has built a career defined by passion, resilience, and creative vision. Her story is one of transformation; turning challenges into opportunities, and memories into timeless works of art.
Connect with Noémie L. Côté
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noemielcote/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noemielcote/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noemielcote.artist/
Website: https://noemielcote.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@noemielcote
Editorial Note: A Voice of Nature, A Force in Art
Noémie L. Côté’s journey illustrates the power of vision, courage, and authenticity. From a quiet child sketching in Zimbabwe to an Internationally Acclaimed Canadian Landscape Artist celebrated worldwide, she continues to redefine how nature and emotion converge on canvas. Her art does not merely decorate; it restores, inspires, and connects us across cultures and generations.
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