Humans beings come to life with a variety of talents; everyone must take the time to discover their own, allowing for passion to appear and grow inside of them, and enrich their whole life. This passion, sky at first, hesitant, gradualy unfolds as material and self-encounter learn and coexist. The urge to create materialises, and through this process we understand where we come from, we discover who we are, and we choose where to go.
Fruits are what first captivated Johanne Larouche, and she naturally identified with that part of the plant. She explored its forms, colors, sensuality, and fertility. Then leaves, branches and trunks were gradually introduced as the artist traced back the chain of identity up to the tree. The provider, protector, magnanimous tree: the father tree.
Artistic Approach
On canvas, Johanne Larouche stages elements of nature: air, water, earth and leaves. Guided by her feelings, she constantly reassigns roles, each time presenting a particular scene of the whole play. Here, a few luminescent leaves tear themselves away from golden brown soil, hanging in the air, whole and serene. At the bend of a forest path, a mature tree shows a bit of its wisdom, escaping the canvas in a realistic third dimension, while others of its kind only reveal a fraction of their impressiive magnitude. And there, a few branches interlace in an allegorical dance.
The artist's palette is filled with strong and vibrating colors, although more and more its tones suggest earth and bark. Often, mortar brings up the surface, obeying the artist's impulse. Because her painting each tell the story of a journey from within towards light, their dimensions are impressive; ther assert themselves, powerful and sparkling.
When she is painting, Johanne Larouche strives to silence her logical and critical intellect. This way, she can connect with pure emotions and let intuition guide her hand. For this artist, painting is a way to reach for and express her own well-being.
IDENTITY is the theme of her next colleciton, currently in prgress. It's about recognizing, accepting and celebrating what makes each of us unique.
Artistic studies
? Fall of 2008: Six individual coaching sessions; Élise Caron, Studiolo, Sainte-Thérèse
? September 2004 to April 2006: Exploration workshops — acrylic, mixed medium, encaustic, oil sticks, watercolour and personal projects; Ariane Dubois, painter and museologist, Boisbriand
? November 2004: Week-end workshop — acrylic and spatula; Kerry Vaughn Erickson, painter, Gatineau
? October 2004: Three-hour workshop on photographing works of art; L & L Lozeau, Montreal
? January 2003 to June 2004: Oil painting and sketching workshops; Marie-Andrée Tardif, painter, Oka
Biography
I was born in 1960 in Arvida, Saguenay, and I am a self-made artist. Along years, I attended occasional training sessions, as needed.
In 2003 and 2004, I learned the basics of oil painting in Marie-Andrée Tardif’s studio, in Oka.
From 2004 to 2006, my training continued with workshops on the subjects of visual arts and history of arts, directed by Ariane Dubois, in Boisbriand.
In 2008, an important change in my artistic approach called for a better focus on my work, leading me to a series of individual artistic coaching sessions with Élise Caron from Studiolo, an arts school in Sainte-Thérèse. Attending various symposiums and collective events has allowed me to make contact with the artistic world and to better feel the public’s pulse.
In 2007, as a guest artist at the APCHQ annual congress, I performed live using ecological paint, showing the product did not cause toxic emanations. My participation in that event has provided great visibility.
In 2008, I was a guest artist at Expo Manger Santé, painting live during three consecutive days in front of the public conference area. This also provided significant exposure, and on that occasion, the work Le paternel (12” x 48” mixed media acrylic) was acquired and offered as a gift to Mr. André Chagnon, honorary president of the event.
Presently, some of my works can be seen at Josette Tilmant’s art gallery, in Saint-Sauveur.
Affiliations
Le Centre d'Action Culturelle MRC de Papineau
Les créateurs de la Petite Nation
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