Artists

"I am constantly reminded of the luminous nature of people, places, and things, so I use what is commonly referred to as the white negative space of the page or canvas as a reflection of this infinite Love-Light substrate and connect the various lines, colours, shapes, and forms with each other as they are manifested from and as the consciousness that is their source. As art mirrors reality, everything is one thing in endless, seemingly separate but entangled configurations. Making the images become whatever the viewer sees and feels. The light of the page and my expressions on and within it are a mind-space."

Gatineau based artist Bette Belanger has been honing her skills in observing and painting nature for over 20 years. Originally a Watercolourist, Bette has changed mediums to oil and works in an alla prima style. Her growth and development as an artist have come from her continual applied curiosity and exploration of painting. Bette is a self-taught artist and her work is predominantly plein aire. She likes to explore the scenery of Georgian Bay where she grew up, along with the Outaouais and Ottawa area where she now lives. She often develops her smaller plein aire paintings into larger studio works.

"I find painting outdoors very addictive. The pursuit of capturing the landscape as you see it is always a struggle and challenge. I feel that this is translated to my work through my brush strokes. The light changes fast so you need to work quickly. Decipher the scene compose it and paint. There is no time for anything else. I am driven to paint on a daily basis throughout the year."

"I have only recently begun to consider myself a real artist and it was quite a journey getting here. Since the 60's, I have always been creating something -- crocheting, knitting, felting, pottery, gardening, painting etc. My partner at the time used to call me "a dabbler". Though I don't think he meant it as an insult, I always considered that I wasn't really an artist, just a dabbler. But in October 2011, I went to Newfoundland. It was there that I saw the most beautiful rugs that were like paintings, telling a story. I desperately wanted to buy one but when I saw the price tag, I not only realized the value of them but that if I wanted one, I'd have to make it myself. As soon as I got home to Toronto, I googled "rug-hooking teacher" and found one in Scarborough. That was it! There was no stopping me! My teacher, Vivien Thompson, got quite a kick out of my enthusiasm and often chuckled, wide-eyed, while watching my intense, speedy progression. I also took 3 on-line courses with Deanne Fitzpatrick from Nova Scotia, as well as attended one of her workshop in Amherst. This course was called "The Art of Rug Hooking" and it was part of my process of accepting myself as a real artist. Now, after 2 years of hooking, I am having my first art show. So I'm 67 and finally have found my niche. Rug-hooking! I hope you enjoy my pieces as much as I love creating them."

Cecile was born and raised in Orleans, Ontario. She is the second last of ten siblings. As a young child, her father would buy paint-by-numbers, frame and hang them for inspiration. This was the start of her love of painting. Life then got busy and Cecile married very young, raising three children. She now has five grandchildren. She has worked in various sectors over the years and, due to lack of time, she had put her artistic talents on hold. Being semi-retired allows her to devote more time to her art. She enjoys working with acrylics and using various palette knives on her large canvases. Oils were her medium in the beginning and now she prefers acrylics and different mediums like modeling paste. Bold colours truly inspire her. When visiting friends and family she is most happy to see her works hanging on their walls. Cecile will continue to experiment with different mediums and make works that connect with the viewer.

Born in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec in 1957, Sylvie Cloutier has been involved in the arts for many years. She holds a certificate in “Arts d’Impression” (impressionist art) from UQAM, a Fine Arts degree from Concordia University, as well as a diploma from Université de Montréal in Sciences and Education. She has been vigorously pursuing her artistic research for more than 30 years, always working to improve and refine the unique characteristics of her abstract works. Today, the artist shares her passion for art with others through teaching. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Kadinsky, Klee, Pollock, Riopelle and Braque, Cloutier uses both a geometrical and a lyrical approach to her art. Her pieces offer extensive fluidity, conveying the sense of having well controlled “body language.” Often executed on blocks of wood, toile or paper, her work is original and creative. Contrasting vibrant pigment with subtle soft mid-tones and utilizing an array of texture, her pieces are guided by simple forms while various layers force the observers’ gaze to dive beyond the surface to see what lays underneath.
Although Cloutier relies on the impulse of spontaneity while creating, her artistic instinct is the trait that gives her works of art life. While viewers may find some abstract works to be cold and difficult to connect with, Cloutier’s works offer a great number of possible starting points to guide and draw the observer in, all while facilitating analysis.