Artist, Painter & Teacher
About the Artist
Biography
Originally from Sturgeon Falls, Ontario, Denise Levesque holds a degree in visual arts and education from the University of Ottawa. She has exhibited in Canada and France since 1977 and has been painting full-time since 2009.
- EducationVisual arts and education, University of Ottawa
- ExhibitionsSince 1977, in Canada and France
- TeachingPrimary, secondary and university levels
- StudioPainting full-time since 2009
- SupportOntario Arts Council, many times since 1979
Artistic Approach
My main influences are prehistoric art, Egyptian art, Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall.
My artistic practice has evolved over more than fifty years of creating. Initially fascinated by movement and dance, a theme that inspired me for several decades, I explored the human figure through watercolour, acrylic and India ink. My artistic explorations later led me to still lifes, landscapes, paintings on stone and series inspired by my travels.
Today, my work focuses primarily on landscapes, bodies of water, flowers and cypress trees. Through the observation of nature, I simplify and transform forms in order to reveal their essence rather than their appearance. Light, movement, rhythm and balance play a central role in my compositions.
My approach is intuitive and spontaneous. I rarely begin a painting with a precise idea, preferring to let shapes and colours evolve freely throughout the creative process. I enjoy taking risks, exploring the qualities of different materials and embracing unexpected discoveries.
Through my painting, I express my sense of wonder at nature and the spiritual, even divine, dimension I experience within it. I seek to evoke the mystery of life, the harmony between human beings and their environment, as well as a sense of calm, hope and inner peace.
Originally from Sturgeon Falls, in French-speaking Ontario, Denise Levesque holds degrees in Fine Arts and Education from the University of Ottawa. An artist for more than fifty years, she has exhibited in Canada and France, primarily in French-speaking galleries. Her works are held in private collections in Ontario, Quebec, France, Switzerland and the United States. Her artistic practice has received support from the Ontario Arts Council on several occasions.
Actively involved in the arts and cultural community, she has collaborated with several organizations, including BRAVO-Est and Pro-Arts, and co-founded an educational art gallery in Timmins within Ontario’s French-language school system.
Background
Exhibitions, Support and Publications
Exhibitions
Solo and group exhibitions since 1977, most recent first.
- 2021Les racines dans l’eau / Water BondsSolo exhibition · Galerie d’art Jean-Claude Bergeron, Ottawa, ON
- 2021ConfluencesGroup exhibition · Galerie d’art d’Ottawa, ON
- 2019Petits formats NoëlGroup exhibition · Galerie d’art Jean-Claude Bergeron, Ottawa, ON
- 2018Eau et âmeGroup exhibition · project by Andrée Lacelle, Poet Laureate of the City of Ottawa 2017–2019, Rideau en eau calme
- 2017–2020À la croisée des chemins / CrossroadsGroup exhibition · travelling exhibition in Ontario (BRAVO-Sud)
- 2016Paysages de ProvenceSolo exhibition · Galerie Imbert, Aix-en-Provence, France
- 2015Vue sur l’ArtGroup exhibition · Papineauville, QC
- 2015Salut de la TerreSolo exhibition · Richelieu-Vanier Community Centre gallery, Ottawa
- 2015Rouge et noirGroup exhibition · Galerie Montcalm, Gatineau, QC
- 2015Asie à cœur joieSolo exhibition · Galerie d’art Eugène Racette, MIFO, Orléans, ON
- 2014Trois ellesGroup exhibition · Galerie d’art Jean-Claude Bergeron, Ottawa, ON
- 2013–2014Hommage à Clément BériniGroup exhibition · across Ontario
- 2012Nuit Blanche OttawaGroup exhibition · Galerie du Marché By, Ottawa
- 2012Festival franco-ontarienGroup exhibition · Parc Major, BRAVO-Est exhibition, Ottawa
- 2011Salle Jean PigottGroup exhibition · City Hall, Ottawa, ON
- 2011La Nouvelle ScèneGroup exhibition · Ottawa, ON
See exhibitions from 1977 to 2006 (21)
- 2006Piccolo GrandeSolo exhibition · Marché By, Ottawa, ON
- 2005Galerie L’ImagierSolo exhibition · Gatineau, QC
- 2004La Nouvelle ScèneGroup exhibition · Ottawa, ON
- 2003Centre culturel Le ChenailSolo exhibition · Hawkesbury, ON
- 2001Conseil des Arts d’AylmerGroup exhibition · QC
- 1996Galerie d’art Jean-Claude BergeronGroup exhibition · Ottawa, ON
- 1996Restaurant Upstairs BistroSolo exhibition · Ottawa, ON
- 1993Caisse Populaire TrilliumGroup exhibition · Ottawa, ON
- 1991La GalerucheSolo exhibition · Timmins, ON
- 1990Théâtre de l’îleSolo exhibition · Hull, QC
- 1990Public LibrarySolo exhibition · Rideau Street, Ottawa, ON
- 1989Galerie Rodrigue LemayGroup exhibition · Ottawa, ON
- 1985Pollack HallSolo exhibition · McGill University, Montréal, QC
- 1983Ottawa travelling exhibition networkSolo exhibition · Rockland, Hawkesbury, Ottawa, Welland, Cornwall, ON
- 1982Café CampusSolo exhibition · Montréal, QC
- 1982Café La LicorneSolo exhibition · Montréal, QC
- 1982Galerie éducative ThériaultSolo exhibition · Timmins, ON
- 1982Pavillon du NordGroup exhibition · Toronto, ON
- 1981Northern CollegeSolo exhibition · South Porcupine, ON
- 1978Galerie du Nouvel OntarioSolo exhibition · Sudbury, ON
- 1977Pavillon Culturel du Nipissing-ouestGroup exhibition · Sturgeon Falls, ON
Support
Publications
Covers, illustrations and publications featuring her work.
- Cover of the textbook Propos et Discours 1, part 3, CFORP, 1992
- Illustration for the planner La puissance au féminin 2003, Éditions Femme et Pouvoir, 2003
- Pratiques artistiques en Ontario francophone 5 : Matière, procédés et présences physiques, BRAVO publishers, 2009, pp. 30–33
- Clément Bérini, Honorer, Inspirer, Rassembler, BRAVO SUD, 2013, pp. 37–38
- Denise Levesque, Bravoart recueil 5, BRAVO publishers, 2013, 21 pages
- Frenchkiss, BRAVO-Est, 2012, pp. 5, 7
- XANADU art catalogue, Scottsdale, AZ, USA, p. 14
- AFEAO, S’affranchir à la croisée des chemins, projets 7e et 8e années, 2018
- CONFLUENCES, Six expositions de l’Ontario francophone, BRAVO, 2021