Who is Gasoline MAAB? The French illustrator conquering the world of classic bikes and collector cars

Gasoline MAAB draws exactly what makes the hearts of Classic Man Ride and Portal Gasolina beat faster: machines with soul, moving between memory, style, and speed. A French hyper-realist illustrator and a true rider, Noémie Marmorat transforms motorcycles, cars, planes, and boats into portraits charged with emotion—as if every stroke were a kilometer traveled.

Behind this artistic moniker is Noémie Marmorat, a motarde in soul and blood. She traded her career as a product designer for a sketchbook of special paper, pens, and colored pencils capable of creating hyper-realistic portraits full of feeling. Today, her work travels the world, gracing the garages of enthusiasts, major brand campaigns, and even a newly released book, Lignes de vitesse. In this exclusive interview, published in partnership by Portal Gasolina and Classic Man Ride, she opens up about her origins, the importance of her motorcycling family, her relationship with her Triumphs, her social media growth, and the challenge of living off her passion by uniting art and engines.

Photo: Gasoline MAAB

1. Who is Gasoline MAAB?

Portal Gasolina/Classic Man Ride: Gasoline MAAB or Noémie Marmorat?

Gasoline MAAB: I prefer to be introduced as Gasoline MAAB (Noémie Marmorat). The artistic name Gasoline MAAB is both a reference to the universe I love and a descriptive acronym for what I draw: it combines "Gasoline" (mechanics, a touch of auto/moto culture) and MAAB, which stands for Motorcycle, Automotive, Aviation, Boat—the four major vehicle domains I represent in my hyper-realistic works.

PG/CMR: If you had to introduce yourself for the first time to a Brazilian reader who has never heard of you, how would you do it in a few lines?

Gasoline MAAB: Noémie Marmorat, known as Gasoline MAAB, is a French illustrator specializing in mechanical sports and exceptional machines. My work stands out for its hyper-realistic style using pens and colored pencils, highlighting design, mechanics, and the soul of the vehicles—whether they are cars, bikes, planes, or boats. In every piece, I capture the power, elegance, and emotion of these machines with technical precision and artistic sensitivity.

2. Origins: The pencil, the family, and the bikes

PG/CMR: You say you’ve been drawing since you were a little girl. When did drawing stop being child’s play and become something serious?

Gasoline MAAB: I’ve been drawing since my earliest childhood. The pencil was my natural means of expression and my favorite playground from a young age. It became serious when I graduated as a product designer. Later, my passion migrated toward machines and mechanical sports. Fascinated by lines, curves, and mechanics, I developed a precise and demanding style—drawing became more than a passion; it became an artistic signature.

PG/CMR: What led you to unite a motorcycle-loving family, design, and mechanical sports? Was it really your brother’s request for a Kawasaki Ninja 300?

Gasoline MAAB: Yes, my brother’s request was the real trigger. I had never drawn vehicles before, and his first bike was the first one I tried—it was a revelation because I didn’t know I could draw like that.

PG/CMR: What did the motorcycle represent to you during your teenage years?

Gasoline MAAB: To me, the motorcycle represented much more than a simple means of transport. It was a promise of freedom—the idea of being able to escape, chart my own path, feel the wind, and not depend on anyone.

3. The birth of Gasoline MAAB

PG/CMR: When did you create the Gasoline MAAB identity? When did you realize it wasn’t just a freelance gig anymore, but a life project?

Gasoline MAAB: I created Gasoline MAAB in 2018, telling myself that I wouldn’t necessarily be able to make a living from it, because it’s difficult to live off your passion in general, and even more so in the art sector. For that reason, I never put pressure or specific goals on myself, and in the end, everything happened naturally. It took me several years to understand that it would become a true life project—an artistic brand.

I don't reflect much on the last 8 years, and I still find it hard to believe that my work is known worldwide.

4. Bikes in life and in the garage

PG/CMR: You are described as a "true rider." What is your personal history with two wheels?

Gasoline MAAB: In Moto Magazine, they talk about me as a "true motarde," and that’s not by chance. My history with motorcycles is deeply personal and familial. I grew up in a family of riders, and it was thanks to them that this passion entered my life. The conversations, the smell of gasoline, the bikes in the garage… all of that was part of my daily life.

By my teens, the bike already represented freedom, noise, speed, and raw aesthetics. Later, the fascination became practical: the license, the first rides, the accumulated kilometers.

Every year, we set off together on long motorcycle road trips. Intense journeys made of landscapes, exhaustion, laughter, and sharing. It was on those roads that my passion took root for good.

PG/CMR: What was the first motorcycle that left a mark on your life?

Gasoline MAAB: The first bike that marked me is one I still have in my garage, the bike of my heart: the Triumph Thruxton 1200 RS. Why this one? First, the aesthetics. That neo-retro line, simultaneously aggressive and elegant, with its modern café racer look. It emanates a strong, timeless, almost magnetic presence.

Then, there’s the character. Its engine is alive, full of torque, and expressive. It has that perfect mix of controlled power and raw sensation. Every acceleration tells a story; every vibration reminds you that you are on a machine with true character.

But beyond the technical specs, it’s a matter of feeling. It’s a bike that matches me: demanding, precise, aesthetic, and authentic. It has accompanied me on the road through important moments and symbolizes a milestone in my journey as a rider. It’s not just a bike. It’s an emotional bond.

PG/CMR: Today, which bikes are in your garage? What does each represent in your daily life and work? By the way, I think your garage is one of the most charming I’ve seen on the internet.

Gasoline MAAB: Thank you for the compliment on my garage! Currently, I have two bikes: the Triumph Thruxton 1200 RS and a Triumph 1200 Bonneville Bobber Black. The Bobber Black is not a "sanitized" bike; it has character, torque, and a very instinctive way of riding. You feel every curve, every change in rhythm. And aesthetically, it is just beautiful!

One of the most beautiful garage on the Internet. Photo by Gasoline MAAB

5. Networks, community, and the life of a nomad artist

PG/CMR: When did you feel your community start to grow on social media?

Gasoline MAAB: It was during the Covid period that I really felt my community grow. The context was unique: we all had more time, and also more silence. On my end, I was able to dedicate myself fully to drawing—creating more, developing new illustrations, and launching projects in each of my universes: moto, auto, aviation, and nautical.

That period allowed me to be more consistent, more present, and more engaged in my creation. In parallel, people were much more active on social media. There was a genuine desire to discover, exchange, and escape through images. I think this combination—more time to create and a more present audience—was a turning point.

PG/CMR: How do you balance creation, clients, travel, and social media?

Gasoline MAAB: For me, the balance is a matter of organization and priorities, but also passion. Creating personal works remains the heart of my work. It’s what feeds me artistically and allows me to keep evolving. I set aside time every week for personal projects, even if the rest of the schedule is full.

Commissioned works for clients are equally important, with deadlines to meet. Here, the key is to plan each stage precisely to deliver meticulous work without sacrificing my creativity.

Photo: Gasoline MAAB

Travel and events are integrated into my schedule based on the season and opportunities. Sometimes they are intense, but I consider them a source of inspiration and a way to stay connected to my community and the world of mechanical sports.

Social media content isn't just a marketing tool; it’s an extension of my work. I often combine moments of creation with moments of sharing: a drawing becomes a post, a bike ride becomes a visual narrative.

In the end, it's all a matter of synergy: each activity feeds the others. I plan, I prioritize, but I also leave room for intuition and the inspiration of the moment, so that the rhythm remains alive and motivating.

PG/CMR: What do you think makes people connect with your work?

Gasoline MAAB: I think the connection people have with my work comes from a mixture of several elements, not just one.

Photo: Gasoline MAAB

Technique and Realism: My drawings are precise and detailed, with particular attention to lines, materials, and mechanical vibrations. This attracts machine lovers and those passionate about detail.

Aesthetics: Every bike, car, plane, or boat is treated as a masterpiece. The compositions, contrasts, and atmospheres make my illustrations visually pleasing even to those who don’t necessarily know the machines.

The Moto/Lifestyle Passion: I don’t just draw vehicles; I share my experience, my feelings, and my daily life as a rider and traveler. People feel that I live what I draw.

Personality and Universe: I am authentic and show the behind-the-scenes of my work and travels. This mix of sincerity and sharing makes my work accessible and human.

6. The Future of Gasoline MAAB

PG/CMR: Let’s talk about the future. What are the next steps?

Gasoline MAAB: For the future, I see my work evolving along several complementary paths: International exhibitions. I would like my illustrations to travel further and be seen in different countries, in galleries, or during events linked to mechanical sports and art.

Currently, I am launching a book called Lignes de vitesse (Lines of Speed), which will be available in various places, including Fnac, Amazon, etc.

Photo: Gasoline MAAB

PG/CMR: Have you had any contact with the Brazilian public yet?

Gasoline MAAB: I haven’t had the opportunity to participate in events in Brazil yet—but I would love to!—so I haven’t met the local public in person. On the other hand, I have already received commissions from Brazil, which allowed me to connect with Brazilian enthusiasts and clients. It is always enriching to see that my illustrations resonate internationally.

PG/CMR: What message would you leave for Brazilian riders and classic fans?

Gasoline MAAB: I would say to them: "Keep following your passion with enthusiasm and curiosity. Classic bikes and cars are not just machines: they are stories, sensations, and emotions. Take the time to discover, understand, and appreciate them—whether on the road, in your garages, or through art."

PG/CMR: Do you have any advice for those who want to live off their passion, like you?

Gasoline MAAB: I would say, above all, never separate passion and work, but let them enrich each other. In short: work hard, stay passionate, and be authentic. It is this combination that transforms a dream into reality.

• You can found her at: https://gasolinemaab.bigcartel.com