ARTIST PROFILE
Richard Lebel
Born in Drummondville, Quebec in 1950, Richard Lebel’s youth was spent mostly exploring the nearby forests, building camps and fishing. At eighteen he loudly heard California calling and hitchhiked his way there with a friend. They soon parted and Richard stayed in San Francisco for a year, that is where he met his lovely wife Patricia. She foolishly followed him back to the cold Canadian winter. In 1975 they found their way to Sault Ste Marie where Richard gained employment at Algoma Steel from which he recently retired. The couple moved to Haviland Bay in 1979 where Richard tried his hands at taxidermy for a few years, as a second job.
Always interested in arts, he began making large paper collages as early as his twenties but the urge to paint really started in his mid-forties. Richard first took classes in oils with John Keast for a few years and a few more with Doris Pavelich for acrylics.
Having always enjoyed painting landscapes and wildlife in general, Richard also likes abstract and surreal art. He also prefers painting very large pieces but we all know what a problem storage can be, so he tries to keep himself in check.
Richard has now discovered the wonderful world of computers and
fractal art and he makes hundreds of fractal designs, some of which
he uses as backgrounds for digital collages and when one is finished,
everything can be put away neatly in a small folder to be forgotten
for centuries. Richard has tried his hand at watercolors and will
get back to it soon but his newest interest is gilding (gold leaf)
and introducing this craft in his paintings.
Richard was delighted to win a first place ribbon two years in a
row in the Bon Soo art show and picked twice in the N.O.A.A. Juried
Show; He has participated in a few of the local shows and sale events
over the years and he plans to get more active in that area in the
future.
Patricia and Richard spent two and a half years building their own
log house in Haviland where he is also developing a large garden
(2.5 acres) with 7 ponds, all of which left him a bit tired for
a while but he seems to be back on track and excited to paint again.
Richard is also a member of the Algoma Art Society and the Arts
Council of Sault Ste. Marie and District, two organizations he wishes
everyone would join.
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