DON'T MISS A THING

Monteral multidisciplinary artist Gab Bois has reshaped our perceptions of the every day, transforming ordinary objects into playful yet thought-provoking works of art over the years. Her love for creating began at a young age, nurtured by her father’s passion for art and further inspired by the diverse visual worlds she discovered during her teenage years.

With a distinct aesthetic that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, Gab invites viewers to pause, reflect, and question the familiar in surprising ways. Whether drawing from the environment around her or her fascination with mundane objects, Gab’s work evokes a sense of wonder that bridges the gap between the real and the imagined. We spoke with her to explore the inspirations behind her unique perspective and the process that drives her ever-evolving artistry.

Love Happens Mag: As the name and the tagline of our publisher, KOKET, denote, at Love Happens, we firmly believe that you cannot achieve any level of success without love. When did your love for art begin? And how did it make you feel?

Gab Bois: My love for art began at a very young age and took on many forms. I was always a crafty kid, spending hours drawing or making little characters out of sticks and rope. Creating was a natural part of my everyday life.

A big influence came from my dad, who nurtured my passion and understanding of art. I grew up watching him oil paint in our home’s basement, and his curiosity about art was infectious. He taught me much of what I know about art history, sparking an early appreciation for different styles and movements.

I’ve always been drawn to the visual quality of things; it’s something that’s been with me as long as I can remember. As a teenager, that fascination evolved into a love for Tumblr and magazines, where I found a world of diverse imagery that broadened my perspective and deepened my connection to art.

LH: How would you describe your unique artistic style and the themes you explore?

Gab: The word playful is one I always use when talking about my work. I am deeply inspired by everyday life and objects. A key element I strive to incorporate into my work is the element of surprise. I enjoy taking things that might seem chaotic or unrelated and finding a surprising harmony in how they are presented and connected.

LH: There’s a sense of curiosity and playfulness in your work. Did you always have that when you were growing up?

Gab: Absolutely. My parents often mention that even though I had somewhat of an anxious nature as a kid, I would always love to laugh and make people laugh. That is something that is still very much a part of me.

I was also fascinated by the element of surprise, both in giving and receiving it. There’s something indescribable about that sensation—a mix of comfort and discomfort that keeps you intrigued. You don’t always know why something feels surprising, but it creates a very special emotional response. It’s a feeling I’ve always been drawn to and one that I strive to weave into my work.

“I love pushing myself into new, sometimes uncomfortable situations in my professional life. What began as a curiosity for different mediums has evolved into a necessity for growth and improvement, both for myself and my work.”

LH: Could you walk us through a typical day in your creative process? How do you balance experimentation and routine?

Gab: A typical day for me starts with caffeine, then I head to the studio to meet my incredible team. Our day is filled with a mix of activities—working on project proposals, producing ongoing projects, brainstorming sessions, packing orders, and more. The nature of what we do means that, for every idea we’re bringing to life, it’s often something we’re doing for the first time, which requires a lot of creativity and problem-solving at every stage.

There’s some structure to the day, as my team members have established schedules that guide what I’ll be focusing on, but beyond that, my process is driven by experimentation. Each day brings something new, and that constant flux keeps the work dynamic and exciting.

LH: How does your surrounding environment, whether physical or cultural, influence your artistic vision and creativity?

Gab: I’m highly attuned to seasonal changes, and being based in Montreal, where we experience four distinct seasons, has a big impact on my work. The changing seasons often influence the subjects of my personal projects, whether through fashion, seasonal ingredients, lighting, or background sets. Each season brings a different mood and palette that inspires me and keeps me connected to the objects and sensations I’m interacting with at the time.

LH: Your work often blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, leaving viewers questioning what’s real. Do you enjoy playing with that ambiguity, and what effect do you hope it has on your audience?

Gab: What you’re describing is something I absolutely love to experience myself. That moment of doing a double take at something because it isn’t quite what it seems—it’s like encountering real-life magic. Playing with that ambiguity is both a challenge and a goal in my work. I hope to evoke that sense of wonder in myself when looking at a finished piece.

LH: At what point did you feel the need to experiment with new formats for your work, and what drove that evolution?

Gab: Not long after I started on Instagram, brands began licensing some of my images to print on t-shirts or feature in magazines. Seeing a physical representation of my work so quickly made me fall in love with the idea of bringing my creations into the tangible world.

Materiality has always been central to my process, especially with the props and subjects we create for my images. I’m also someone who easily becomes restless; I love pushing myself into new, sometimes uncomfortable situations in my professional life. What began as a curiosity for different mediums has evolved into a necessity for growth and improvement, both for myself and my work.

LH: What’s next? Are there any exciting upcoming projects or new directions in your work that you’d like to share with us?

Gab: So much is on the horizon! We have some exciting product releases lined up for the upcoming year, along with brand collaborations that push the boundaries and expand the scope of what we can do.

Explore more Gab Bois at gabbois.com

Intro & Interview by Sofia de Sousa
Feature Image by Pegah Farahmand
All Photos Courtesy of Gab Bois

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