Born in the picturesque town of Hull (now Gatineau), Quebec, and presently a resident of Ottawa, Ontario, Chantal Dupuis stands as an artist whose creative journey has been a profound source of personal solace and inspiration. With an unshakeable belief in the therapeutic power of painting, she has woven her artistic expression into a mesmerizing tapestry of wildlife wonders.
For Chantal, the canvas serves as a conduit to her inner sanctuary. The act of painting isn't merely a skill; it's a spiritual experience that brings harmony to her soul. Infused with this sentiment, her art is an exploration of the beauty that thrives in the untouched corners of nature. Captivated by the boundless expressions of wildlife, she masterfully wields both oil and watercolors to bring her subjects to life.
As a signature member of the esteemed Artists for Conservation Foundation, Chantal stands as a beacon of talent and dedication in the world of art. This distinction underlines her commitment to not only crafting breathtaking visuals but also contributing to the preservation of the natural world that fuels her imagination.
Beyond the brushstrokes and pigments, Chantal holds a deep concern for the creatures that inhabit her canvases. Her generosity shines as she allocates a percentage of her original painting sales to local wildlife rescue shelters, an act of compassion that mirrors her artistic ethos. Her works are more than static images; they are gateways to profound experiences. Through her art, viewers find solace in the familiar and embark on journeys into the unknown. The scenes she paints come alive with a symphony of movement, emotions, and tranquility.
Chantal has carved a niche where the tangible and intangible converge. With each stroke, she invites us to witness the world through her eyes—a world where nature's majesty intertwines with her profound introspection.
Statement
It is difficult to look at my work objectively and write a statement. My art comes from my soul, I have a connection with each canvas or paper that I paint on, even the ones that end up in the recycling bin! The subjects I choose to paint are wildlife and nature. I choose those as I want to remember. Remember the looks, the attitude, the movement, the connection that I feel with each animal and each place I visit. I think it is also important to remember the endangered species and my body of work, as it keeps growing, has often been a great conversation starter and awareness discussion.
I am a materials’ explorer, I mostly paint in oils but I also love watercolour, graphite and soft pastels. Each medium takes me to a different zone and teaches me something new, every day. I use a brand created in the UK by chemists who mine their own rocks and hand grind their pigments. I love the historical nature of this as they often travel to extinct volcanoes and such and, to me, the vibrancy of the colours they create is as much a part of the process as the final product is.
My art discoveries started in 2015 because of a genetic cornea disorder (and later on a cornea transplant) but this was only a trigger, now I create because I need to create. I feel there is a requirement for me to document, track, sketch and mostly, absolutely, paint.