Featured Artist Johanne Brouillette

Artist Johanne Brouillette presents a collection of striking contemporary abstract paintings. Enjoy her work and visit her website to view more of her portfolio.

 

 

I am a French Canadian abstract painter. I chuckle when I read that because if you would have told me that 20 years ago, I would not have believed it. To be honest, I did not even really like abstraction much.

 

 

So I guess you must be wondering how I found my way to non-figurative painting four years ago? I had been painting mostly landscapes in oil for 20 years and through much practice and private instruction had become pretty good at it. As a perfectionist, I spent countless hours trying to make each painting perfect and as realistic as possible. Sometimes my teacher would tell me it was time to move on to a new painting, but I could not unless I felt it was just right.

 

 

Although I never chose to exhibit or sell my art, I always seemed to have a new project I wanted to work on. As the years passed however, I started to get bored. Slowly I noticed that I painted less, until the time came when I almost considered giving up my painting. Then something very special happened to me.

 

 

A friend of mine convinced me to try a one day abstract workshop with her in 2016. It took her a few months but I finally agreed. I wish I could describe to you how I felt when I left at the end of that first day. I wanted to learn more, I wanted to paint more… I felt free, alive and passionate!

 

 

It truly was a breakthrough for me. In all the years I had painted, the emotions and euphoria had never even come close to how I felt. I became consumed with my pursuit of abstraction. I was like a sponge. I took classes, workshops, read books, painted daily, took specialized courses to learn different techniques, and painted miles of canvas.

 

 

After only six months, I participated in my first group exhibition. For me, this is quite remarkable as I am a very shy person. I can only tell you that suddenly the desire to show my art had blossomed.

 

 

Painting has now become a daily necessity for me. It has allowed me to express my emotions. I believe that to make honest art you need to bring your emotions into the studio. I paint how I feel.

 

 

For me, time stands still in my studio. Hours pass, nothing else matters. I live in the present moment. I know that the artists reading this can relate to what I am trying to say. Of course there are challenges, frustrations and failures in the studio on some days, but then there are also breakthroughs, euphoric moments and magical surprises.

 

 

I am very fortunate to be represented by art galleries throughout Canada, in the United States and in the United Kingdom.

 

 

I am still growing as an artist. My wings are not fully spread yet, and the beauty with abstract art is that I don’t think they ever will be.

 

Johanne Brouillette invites you to follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

 

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