“You can be bashed around in the bush. If your hands freeze, your face burns, or the mozzies suck your blood, so much the better.”
Lorne Bouchard
Lorne Bouchard (March 19, 1913 - April 26, 1978), a renowned Canadian artist, was born George Lorne Holland Bouchard in Montreal, Quebec. From a young age, he displayed a remarkable talent for art, drawing inspiration from the landscapes of Douglastown, Gaspé. His artistic career began with early exhibitions at prestigious venues like the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts through the Royal Canadian Academy, where his talent was recognized and nurtured by influential figures such as Clarence Gagnon and Maurice Cullen.
Lorne Bouchard; October Morning, Near Les Eboulements, 1952
Bouchard's formal artistic education included training at the Barnes School under Wilfred M. Barnes and attending l’École des Beaux-Arts in Montreal. These formative years shaped his unique artistic voice, which celebrated the natural beauty of Canada's landscapes, particularly those of Ontario and Quebec, including the Laurentians and Gaspé.
Throughout his career, Bouchard's paintings graced magazine covers and corporate boardrooms, earning him accolades and a place in prestigious collections, including the National Gallery of Canada and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. His work captured the essence of Quebec's landscapes with vibrant colours and a harmonious blend of realism and impressionism.
Lorne Bouchard; Cloudy Evening, Lac Simon - Laurentians, 1966
Despite receiving commissions for magazine covers and corporate paintings, Bouchard's true passion lay in his fine art. He traveled extensively, exploring the Arctic, the United States, Mexico, and Europe, but it was Canadian subject matter that truly inspired him. He became known for his street scenes, harbours, and landscapes, which he painted exclusively in oil, and no matter how harsh the climate, he always completed them outdoors in a single session. This dedication to plein air painting, which inspired influential artists like Robert Genn, contributed to the authenticity and freshness of his work.
Lorne Bouchard; Fleurs Immortelles, 1970
Lorne Bouchard's legacy endures as a testament to the power of art to evoke emotion and appreciation for the natural world. His dedication to capturing the essence of Canada's wilderness and immortalizing the beauty of Quebec ensures his place in Canadian art history.