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About the Songs of Hope collection
Nine small paintings. Soft pastels, oil pastels, Arches paper, wood. Each one 10 × 10 cm (approximately 4 × 4 inches) — small enough to hold in two hands, substantial enough to hold something real.
I made this collection the same way I approach most things: slowly, with attention, in the middle of ordinary life. The subject is meadow, mountains and hidden paths, light, darkness and wild growth — the kind of beauty that doesn't ask permission to exist. Colour that insists on itself.
The title came before most of the paintings did. Hope, for me, is not an optimistic feeling. It is a practice. A willingness to keep looking for what is still alive, still reaching, still worth making something from. These pieces are that practice made visible.
Each painting in the series is an original, one-of-a-kind work.
How these are made
The paintings are made with soft pastels and oil pastels on Arches paper, mounted on wood panels. Arches is one of the oldest and most respected fine art papers in the world — made in France since 1492, acid-free, archival. The pastels are artist-grade, non-toxic, lightfast. The wood panels are solid and gallery-ready.
Each piece is sent framed by an artisan in Aix-en-Provence. Because this collection is a pre-order — the early bird price exists so I can frame the full series at once and ship everything with care — please allow up to two months for delivery. You'll hear from me along the way.
Early bird pre-order — 15% off
The early bird price of €289 (regular price €340) is a pre-order. This allows me to frame the complete collection properly before shipping.
Your piece will be sent to you, framed and ready to hang,
within two months of your order.
Shipping & what to expect
Where I ship from: Aix-en-Provence, in the south of France.
Shipping cost: Included in the price. I've calculated this in so there's no surprise at checkout.
Customs & import duties: If you're outside the EU, your country may charge customs or import fees on arrival. These are at the charge of the customer — I have no control over them and cannot predict the amount. Worth checking your country's import thresholds before ordering.
Timeline: Pre-orders ship within two months. I'll send you a confirmation when your piece is framed and again when it's dispatched, with tracking details.
Packaging: Each piece is carefully wrapped for transit. If something arrives damaged, please photograph it immediately and get in touch. I will make it right to the best of ability.
A note on colour: Screens vary. I've photographed each piece in natural light to represent the colours as accurately as possible, but the real thing is warmer, richer, and has a texture that photographs can't quite hold. That's the nature of pastel on paper. Email me for additional photos, I’ll be happy to send more your way.
I'm Marie-Louise Cee — artist, meditator, and untamed philosopher,
based in Aix-en-Provence.
My work lives at the intersection of visual art, philosophical inquiry, and mindfulness practice. I've been making things — paintings, essays, guided meditations, workshops — for people who feel everything and refuse to pretend otherwise.
I share a lot of my creative process and hold spaces for creatives to find their own. Join us, we’re a generous and supportive community!
→ More about my work at marielouisecee.com
→ Read Fiercely Human on Substack