Lalou Kraffe’s journey
Even as a child…
I cannot remember a particular moment that set me on the path to painting. What I do remember, as far back as I can go, is that indescribable childhood pleasure: the enveloping sense of well-being when I coloured or spent time, so much time, drawing.
How many afternoons did I spend copying and colouring illustrations from the Larousse dictionary with the precious box of “real watercolours” my father gave me? Butterflies, beetles, small animals — everything found its way onto the page…
One dream can lead to another
At seventeen, my dream was to join the Compagnons du Devoir and work in stained glass…
My great disappointment at the time: there was no place for girls among the Compagnons.
Then I saw a documentary about École Boulle, and knew it was the school for me.
I passed the entrance examination and joined its 105th intake in September 1991, studying applied arts before choosing visual expression and communication spaces. Claude Dubois was the headmaster. This remarkable school left an indelible mark: pushing myself, starting again twenty times if something was not right, curiosity, passion and, above all, staying humble. These became the foundations on which to build my life. I loved it. My teachers were wonderful; everything I learned made me want to go further.
The pleasure of learning
Still drawn to stained glass, I took the entrance examinations for Architecture en transparence at Olivier de Serres and the Cachan preparatory course at Duperré. Accepted by both, I chose Duperré on the advice of my former main teacher.
I spent a year there without quite finding my place, but deepened my love of patterns, fabrics and materials. I discovered women artists such as Éliane Larus and her cut-out works, and the textile work of Milica Zorić, Janet Bolton and many others. Above all, I realised that women were working as artists across many disciplines, and that gave me a quiet confidence.
In 2003, I met Erwann Kraffe de Laubarède, who would soon become my husband, my precious companion. I moved to Brittany to be with him, where we put our hearts into building our family and working life together.
I immediately picked up my brushes again, and we set up my first studio in our home in Brec’h.
At the end of 2003, painting became my sole profession.
After tireless preparation, in 2007 we opened “our studio” on the street in the heart of Auray, at 39 rue du Château. It became Atelier KLE.
Akoun valuation: a reference for collectors
Lalou Kraffe is listed in the Akoun valuation guide. The valuation stated in the 2025–2026 edition is €2,400 for the 15 Figure reference format, measuring 65 × 54 cm.
This reference concerns original paintings. It is neither the price of every work, which depends in particular on its size, technique and composition, nor the value of an art print or limited edition.
A valuation provides a point of comparison: it does not guarantee a resale price or future change in value. Our gallery team is available to discuss how a work fits into Lalou’s artistic journey.
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