Helene Montpetit
Île-Bizard, Quebec
Creator of expressive images. I paint people because I love them.
Message
· Multidisciplinary artist (poetry, music, visual arts) with a double bachelor’s degree in creative and professional writing and fine arts, with a focus on integrative music studies.
· Education: Visual arts at CÉGEP du Vieux-Montréal, ongoing training with masters such as Joseph Patric Daniels and Will Kemp.
· Media: Graphite, pastel, watercolour and acrylic, with a preference for scenes of everyday life capturing humanity in its intimate moments.
· Flagship project: Fudgesicle/Apocalypse, an allegorical and interactive exhibition exploring our duality as both destroyers and restorers of planetary balance, combining paintings, installations and participatory activities.
· Community involvement: Experience in communications for socially engaged organisations, including Christ Church Cathedral Montreal, Transition NDG and the Quebec Association for Renewable Energy Production.
· Awards: Participation in group exhibitions and awards won, including a Special Recognition Award for Intrepid (Fusion Art, March 2026).
· Collections: Works held in private collections in North America and Europe.
Statement
I paint with acrylics, often on large canvases—up to 36 x 48 inches. I also draw using mixes of graphite, pastels, ink and paint.
My process often begins with photographic references, but I never aim for photo-realism. Instead, I allow the subject to evolve intuitively, shaped by emotional response and quiet observation. The image is interpreted; it emerges slowly, carrying its own rhythm and voice. I don’t impose meaning—I listen for it. This approach is evident in the Memories, Real and Imagined series and continues in my recent work.
The Fudgesicle/Apocalypse series marks a shift toward explicit narrative. Structured in three parts, it begins with a reflection on global upheaval—war, climate crisis, displacement. The second part considers what must change to build a more just and sustainable future. The final section highlights individuals and communities responding to these challenges with creativity and courage.The series invites viewers to consider their own place in the cycle of destruction and renewal.