Geneviève Pratte Brings Live Paintings to Life at La Chèvre Rose

Drazen Seslija

La Chèvre Rose art gallery hosted a live painting session featuring Gatineau artist Geneviève Pratte on Saturday, August 15, from 5 to 8 pm. Visitors had the opportunity to observe the artist at work and discover her creative process.

For Geneviève Pratte, an event like this is not new. The artist has already participated in live painting sessions in Montreal, where several painters worked simultaneously and could exchange ideas about their practice. "I've done live painting in Montreal before; there were many artists, and there was a real exchange between them," she told The Bulletin.

Originally from Gatineau, Pratte holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Université du Québec en Outaouais and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Ottawa. Her work focuses on landscapes, the plant world, and our relationship with nature. "My art is inspired by nature, by the landscapes that inhabit us; it’s a painting that's meant to be vibrant, dynamic, and colourful. I create with joy and intuition," she emphasized.

For Etienne Gélinas, co-founder of La Chèvre Rose, this event is a first experience that could lead to other similar gatherings. "A live painting event, with a theatrical performance and more, is really a pilot project; we want to see how it resonates with the public," he stated.

Open since February, La Chèvre Rose aims to increase opportunities for artists to connect with the public. According to Gélinas, the Aylmer community's response has been overwhelmingly positive, prompting the gallery to expand its space to occupy its entire premises.

"We've noticed that people here in Aylmer love art. We're using the whole space to create something truly tangible, not just a small gallery. The community's reaction has been excellent; people are happy to have La Chèvre Rose in their neighbourhood," he stated, adding that several other new events are being planned. For Geneviève Pratte, the local public is receptive to her art and to art in general. She also believes that La Chèvre Rose's activities can further enrich the area's cultural offerings. "I think Aylmer is vibrant, and people are receptive. Aylmer is an area in the Outaouais region that I personally have a very strong connection to. I think the Galerie de La Chèvre Rose has been very well received by the community since its opening in February, and the community will benefit from this addition!" she explained.