Aline ménard, pastel artist

Biography

I am self-taught figurative painter. My interest in art was first demonstrated in 1972 by visiting galleries. This interest has materialized through the purchase of paintings. Long time I thought "one day I'm going to paint." In 1999 a chronic health problem forced me to abandon most of my sports activities. I then decided that "this day" had arrived and I signed up to a basic drawing course. This course allowed me to experiment with different mediums (oil, acrylic, ink, pastel, etc.) and discovering talents I did not know I had.

The first time I used pastels I felt a surprisingly "feeling" of close contact with what I was doing. Quickly it was obvious to me that it was the medium in which I would take the most pleasure to express myself.

In spring 2008, I retired and since I focused mainly on my career as a painter and to the promotion of pastel and art.

Artistic approach

Over the years, various activities have allowed me to develop and assert my imagination, my sense of observation and my creativity (clothing design, decoration, landscaping, photography).

Since I started in autumn 2000 my choice was confirmed and pastel painting became a passion. The inspiration for my paintings comes from my surroundings and my environment; My main challenge is to represent the light. Rich, pure and vivid pastel colors are my invitation to artistic creation.

I paint landscapes for the atmosphere that emerges, flowers for their beauty, still life that I hope will look alive and portraits that reveal the heart of my subjects. By that variety I look into each painting produced to discover and learn something new to improve my art.

Painting is for me a way to share my feelings and emotions, and thus communicate a part of who I am. I hope everyone finds the interpretation of his feelings, an atmosphere that suits him and have the taste to include my painting in its decor.

Community involvement

Quebec, Canada
• Founding President of Arts and Culture Lac-aux-Sables since its creation in 2010. Following representations of the committee, the municipality of Lac-aux-Sables adopted a Cultural Policy in 2013 and a Cultural action plan in 2015 .

• Co-founder and member of Mékinac Culture Committee since its creation in 2012

• Municipal councilor responsible for Culture from 2009 to 2013.

• Member of the Board of Directors of Culture Mauricie (2010-2013) as the representative of the Commission Development / organizations working in rural cultural environment.

• Organizer and coordinator of an annual municipal activity during Culture Days.

Working technique

I usually work on tinted abrasive media. I use pastels of different brands and hardness; I break them in order to obtain pieces of various sizes, flat areas or edges, as needed to complete the painting.

The painting is framed in a careful manner under glass with or without a mat, making sure to emphasize the painting itself.

Training

Quebec, Canada :
Workshops with Juan Cristobal, Suzanne Godbout, Viviane Roman, Anne Lemieux, Denis Jacques, Raymond Deschênes, Marie-Lyne Lortie et Pierre Breault.

Florida, United States :
Workshops with Robert K. Carsten, Margaret Dyer et Shirley Blake.

Associations

Quebec, Canada:
• Pastel Society of Eastern Canada (PSEC)   PSEC  
• Association des artistes peintres du Centre Mauricie (AAPCM )   AAPCM
• Culture Mauricie   Culture Mauricie
• Les Arts et la Ville   Les Arts et la Ville

Florida, United States :
• Southwest Florida Pastel Society (SWFPS)   SWFPS
• Estero Art League (EAL)   EAL

Award

Citation of Excellence, Jury Selection 2003 (AAPL)

Gallery exhibition

Quebec, Canada :
• Shawinigan – Art galery of l’AAPCM (2011 to 2013)
• Québec – Galery of Grand Théâtre de Québec
• Old Montréal - Galery IN VIVO

Florida, United States :

• Marco Island – Center for the Arts (2016)
• Estero - Art Council galery of Southwest Florida (2015)
• Naples - Norris community center galery (2015, 2014)

Exbition on invitation

Quebec, Canada :
• Lac-aux-Sables - Carrefour culturel Méquin’Art (2012, 2011, 2010, 2007, 2006)
• Longueuil - Caisse populaire Desjardins (2003)

Symposium on invitation

Quebec, Canada :
• Trois-Rivières - L’Éco-Salon (2009, 2008, 2006)
• Nicolet - Centre des Arts populaires, Rendez-vous des peintres, (2009)

Symposium

Quebec, Canada :
• Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade - Des fleurs et des jardins (2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2009, 2008, 2006)
• Shawinigan - Symposium de la Plaza (2015, 2014, 2013, 2010, 2009, 2006, 2005)
• Trois-Rivières - Parc des Chenaux (2009, 2008)
• Notre-Dame-de-Montauban - Artistes en fête (2008, 2007, 2006)

Collective exhibitions

Quebec, Canada :
• Lac-aux-Sables - Journées de la culture (2010 à 2015)
• Trois-Rivières - Librairie Poirier, AAPCM (2010)
Bethween 2003 et 2009 :
• Shawinigan - Centre des Arts, AAPCM
• Pastel Toujours, PSEC
• Longueuil - Salon du printemps, AAPL
• St-Bruno - Expo-concours, AAPARS
• Exposition printanière, AAPARS
• Longueuil - Concours Sélection, AAPL
• Longueuil - Centre culturel Jacques-Ferron

Florida, United States :
• Estero - Library show of EAL (2015)
• Fort-Myers - Community Foundation, Annual show de SWFPS (2014)

Permanent exhibition

Lac-aux-Sables - at the open artist's studio at any time from mid-May to mid-October.