About Hélène Lachapelle
Quebec painter
Hélène Lachapelle is a contemporary Quebec painter. Her abstract and semi-abstract artwork transports us into imaginary worlds bringing us towards to new realities. She began her career as an artist in 2010 and has since exhibited her works in various festivals, events, collectives, symposiums, solos and galleries across the province of Quebec and including several virtual exhibitions in the United States.
In her paintings, Hélène Lachapelle explores themes of movement, spirituality and imagination. Her unique and colorful style is inspired by nature, the essence of the landscape, fauna, particularly birds, the elements and organic forms that make up our universe. Her gesture is free and intuitive. Using abstract and semi-abstract painting techniques, she creates artworks that invites the viewers to explore their own imagination and connect to the beauty of the world around them.
Explore the site to discover the works of Hélène Lachapelle and to learn more about her creative process and her inspiration.
Artist biography
I was born in Montreal in 1954 and grew up in Laval-Ouest. Today, I live in Saint-Eustache, in the Lower Laurentians, Quebec.
From an early age, drawing and creating became a refuge and a space for exploration.
After studying visual arts and learning from various mentors, I have been dedicated to painting for over 40 years.
My work is fueled by an inner quest — a dialogue between the environment and the human soul — inspired by Quebec landscapes and my life experiences.
Through abstraction, movement, and light, I express resilience, authenticity, and a deep desire for connection.
Artistic training
2013-2022 Acrylic Painting, Caroline Archambault, St-Sauveur
Observation, drawing, color, composition, abstraction, tools and mediums, movement, light, transparency, poetry and self-expression
2006-2011 Acrylic Painting and learning through "Seeing" (intuition and trust), Jeannine Teebhoo - Montreal
2005-2006 Acrylic Painting and observational drawing (right hemisphere), Francine Labelle - Montreal
2003-2005 Various workshops at the Saydie Bronfman Center and with Seymour Segal, Montreal
1994-2002 Watercolor, drawing, and creative exploration, Yolaine Lefebvre, SCA member - Sainte-Thérèse
1986-1992 Oil Painting, Techniques of the great masters, Georges Boka - St-Eustache
1979-1982 Oil Painting and drawing, Samir Kachami, St-Eustache
1970-1972 DEC in Fine Arts, Cégep Lionel-Groulx - Ste-Thérèse
Artistic approach
I paint intuitively in the movement inspired by the wind, the water, the bird, in a free gesture, sometimes slow or lively, sometimes small or very large, willingly going beyond the edges of the canvas. It is this same movement that slips into me when I manage to put myself in "free mode", without waiting or expecting, and then it seems I'm able to cross borders, inviting the sky and anchoring it in my land. This openness to something greater than oneself first led me along the thread of my imagination but also guided me towards my own intuition. I take pleasure in combining materiality and the density of the visible world with the presence of the immaterial, the invisible, seeking to bring out off the void the movement that circulates in everything, that unites and where transformations take place.
This is how, little by little, by giving up control, by trying not to say everything, to keep the mystery alive to leave room for the story in the imagination of the observer, that this meeting with my “missing part” occurred. Not that I found the answer or the way but rather that I appreciate the dialogue with the canvas, the response offered by the materials used, the doubt, the unpredictability. Yes, I enjoy searching... and letting myself be surprised by the presence of the intimate and the unsuspected intention of the artist that lives within me when I manages to silence my head and let the essence pass through. The images that arise from these dialogues often speak of the elements, organic worlds, wildlife and the connection that lives there.
In closing, I would like to remind you of this phrase from René Char: “We cannot achieve the impossible but it serves as a lantern for us. » and to which I ask the question “What if we could reach it? »
Honors
Awards and recognitions
2025 Finalist Award, Artist Invitational 11, Camelback Gallery, Arizona, for "Ce que le vent ramène"
"Public's Choice Award" at the Blainville-Art exhibition, under the theme Red, for the artwork "Transcender"
"Semeur de Culture" Award in the Visual Arts Category, during the Gala Semeur de Culture of the City of Saint- Eustache
2024 Honorable Mention of Excellence from Grey Cube Gallery, Online Contest Blue Art Show, November 2024, for "Arabesque," "Axel," "Renaître," and "Au-dessus des océans comme en-dessous"
1st Jury Prize, Professional Category, at the Blainville Art Exhibition-Competition, for "Au-dessus des océans comme en dessous"
Excellence Award, granted by the jury at the 27th Annual Competiton under the theme "Rupture", at Maison des arts St-Faustin, for "À me briser les ailes et mon coeur d'alouette"
Finalist Award, Shades or Green competition, Camelback Gallery, Arizona, for "Luciole"
Bronze Award, Abstracts with Red competition, Camelback Gallery, Arizona, for "Brasier"
Silver Award, Artist Invitational VIII, Camelback Gallery, Arizona, for "Efflorescence"
Finalist Award, Shades of Blue competition, Camelback Gallery, Arizona, for "Jaillir des profondeurs"
2023 3rd Award, Mascouche Arts Festival
3rd Award, Visual Arts Exhibition of Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines
3rd Award, Amateur Category, Blainville-Art thematic exhibition, “Tribute to Riopelle”
2010 1st Award, Public Choice, Bois-des-Filion Painting Symposium
1998 Mention “Fluidity and movement”, 15th Salon, SCA, Montreal
1987 Choice of the painting given to the honorary president, Yvon Deschamps, at the Salon de l’oeuvre d’art du
Quebec, Laval
Comments from judges and other renowned artists
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Delicacy of the composition, transparency effects, an ethereal rendering of light, and a suggestion of movement.
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Great poetry and evocative presence
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The gesture dominates the form, everything is open and suggested
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Great mastery of acrylic (subtlety of the palette, use of glazes)
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Balance in composition
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Grace in movement
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Beautiful light and infinite softness
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Of distinct quality
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Captivating
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Profoundness
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Magnificent colors
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Shown restraint, going straight to the point
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No need for more to understand the work
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Hypnotic