Born and raised in Quebec, Canada, I reconnected with my artist’s roots in 1996 when I started studying drawing and painting with Micheline Raymond. I graduated from her school in 1999. An artist of 40 years, Micheline founded the Creativ’Art Gallery and School in Montreal, Canada.

Since 2000, I have had the chance to study with Tom Gill, a talented artist from Lowell, who uses characteristic brushstrokes and bright colors. Already a colorist myself when I first met Tom, he showed me how to push each color further, adding more contrast and giving a deeper impact to the paintings. The Tom Gill influence shows in most of my paintings, through the colors and a better sense of composition and harmony. I have also studies with Charles Movalli, Dale Radcliff, Charles Sovek, amongst others.

Since I moved to the states in 2000, I have had the chance to study under several great local artists. David Curtis, Charles Movali, Charles Sovek, and David Lussier are the ones who influenced me the most. Studying with each of them broadened my skills in different ways and kept me evolving as an artist. Already a colorist myself, I have learned how to push each color further, adding more contrast and creating paintings with a deeper impact. The result is a better sense of composition and harmony.

When painting expressive portraits, I let my heart speak through my brush and lay my emotions on canvas, using the composition and the play of colors to create paintings that expresses my heart.

Visit my personal web site at www.clairegagnon.com.