Biography and philosophy:

Born in Montreal in 1943, I grew up with a pencil in hand.  Encouraged by my father, I tried every possible avenue. Ink, colored pencil, gouache, charcoal, dry and oil pastel, I tried everything and everything amaze me. During my adolescence, I begin oil painting in copying the great American masters, and then I finally return to simply pencil, charcoal, ink and felt pens.

Ever since my youth, drawing is part of me. It is of a major importance as well as the design and the composition. These elements represent the beginning of all essays in different techniques, including watercolour. Fascinated by the light, strong contrasts, movements, I try to give to my painting my perception of harmony of colors and forms. I would like that my watercolour look alive, be in movement, that they have a scent, an aura, which they breathe. Should the painting be realistic or of a free composition, I try to play, to seduce myself, enter into my world and if I attain that goal, I am satisfied.

Formation:

Diploma in classical studies up to «versification» (1963)

Saturday courses at «Montreal Fine Arts» (1950…)

Diploma in interior design from «Applied Art Institute» (1967)

Certificate in  «Français écrit» «Université du Québec» (1998)

Creativity courses at «Montreal University» (1999)

Acrylic workshops at «Studio Francine Labelle » (1994 to 1998)

Nude workshops at «La Maison des Arts de Laval» (2001) , «L'Atelier Samir Kachami» (2005), «Festival de Mascouche» (2005) and «Radio Canada» (2006)

One day or weekend workshops with «La joie de l’aquarelle» (given by : Yves Jodoin, Claude Gauthier , Raynald Murphy , Josée Perrault, Thanh Chau, Jacques Hébert, Richard Bélanger, Barbara Simmons, Lise Saint-Cyr, Nicole Foreman, Lise De Maisonneuve, Noriko Imaï, Luigi Tiengo, Diane Forest , Suzanne Voisard, Céline Charrette, Pierrette Labonté, Norbert Lemire, José Duclos, Max Stiebel).

Watercolour course by Raynald Murphy (2003, 2004)

Watercolour course and workshops by Claude Gauthier (2004, 2005)

Watercolour courses by Lise De Maisonneuve et Claude Noël (2007)

Prizes and mentions:

« La joie de l’Aquarelle » Repentigny (prize for the whole works presented, voted by the participants) (2006)

 « Peindre à l’Aquarelle » contest organized by « L'Aquarelliste », produce by « La Société canadienne d'aquarelle », 1st prize « Paysage d'hiver » (2006)

 « Festival de peinture de Mascouche », 3rd prize (2005)

 « Comme-unique-art » St Eustache, prize to the public (2005)

 « La joie de l’Aquarelle » St Alphonse de Rodriguez, 3rd prize (2003)

 « Expo-concours de Repentigny  » «Magie d'hiver dans l'île», 1st prize (2003)

 Implication and associations :

« La Joie de l’Aquarelle » since 2001

« L’Atelier d’Aquarelle le Partage », secretary since 2006

« Rose'Art » since 2007

«Société canadienne de l'aquarelle» since 2008

Email :                     dedee.2@sympatico.ca

Webb site :                www.andreedesrochers.com