Odette LaRoche

Being an artist at heart from a very young age I was always drawn to any form of art. Painting began for me more seriously in the sixties. The children were young and I had time at home. Unfortunately the painting had to wait while the family grew up. I kept on painting on and off time permitting and was mostly self-taught. In the fall of 1999 I found myself on Vancouver Island and enrolled at Victoria College of Art. This was an enlightening experience which bought me up to date in the art world. Colour and composition are most intriguing to me. The application of colours that meld and excite each other is very appealing especially when they mix optically to create a new hue. Use of large canvas surfaces allows the viewer to physically enter into an experience. Passion is provoked in me by nature's various, sometimes violent, cloud displays, portrayed through colours, shapes, intensity, and mark making evidenced in painting skies and oceans in the many mysteries of nature's daily dramas.  The beauty is clearly there. See Odette Gallery

In contrasting subject matter I find that figure painting, whether it is a dancer or a posing model, is very gratifying. Facial studies reach deep into the soul and psychology of the person.  People's faces are like a novel and sometimes tell the path taken while mysteriously keeping secrets that intrigue the viewer.  Facial expressions, mannerisms, authoritative presence, compassionate kindness, innocence, youth and wisdom in age can all be captured with a brush.  There are endless expressions to be explored.  It is very intriguing to paint people dramatically whether they are actors or just people caught off guard.  I love it all.  See Odette Gallery

I graduated from Victoria College of Art in 2002 and exhibit in two shows or so each year.  The opportunity to open an art gallery in Sidney came my way and I took it.  It has given me a great deal of pleasure and opportunity stay involved and what a pleasure to meet the public and promote other artists through the gallery. Every August the gallery puts on a "Paint Out" for artists to compete in outdoor painting and for the public to appreciate and perhaps purchase at the end of the day.
See Odette Gallery

www.odettelarochegallery.com   info@odettelarochegallery.com    250-655-8278