Arlette Franciere

From childhood on, I have been passionate about poetry and art. My career as a translator fulfills my literary interest. Art became more central to my life when I studied Art History at Concordia University. I discovered a gift and realized that painting was something I needed to do.

I have always been attracted to landscape painting, especially to the work of the Expressionists. Topography is not a main concern. I have to feel what I paint. Often inspired by memories of sea, mountains and skyscapes, and sometimes using dramatic photographs as points of departure, I let strong colours, bold shapes and rhythms guide me. My paintings become inner landscapes that express states of mind, or emotions, instead of reproducing an external landscape. I used to paint mainly watercolours because it allows me the spontaneity essential to my work, but lately my work tends to be more in acrylic. I also enjoy doing charcoal drawings and oils.

My predominant and most characteristic theme is that of land-, sky- and seascape, but my work also includes portraits, flowers, still-lifes, and political paintings.

Baccalauréat, Série Philosophie (Enghein, France)
Propédeutique (Institut français de Londres, London, England)
C.E.S de Licence d’Anglais (Université de Lille, France)
Diploma for the Teaching of Russian as a Second Language (Moscow)
Alberta Teaching Certificate (University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada)
Bachelor of Education, French Major (University of Alberta, Edmonton)
Translation Studies (Université de Montréal, Canada)
Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts (cum laude) in Art History (Concordia University, Montreal)

Arlette Francière has exhibited in 57 shows, including 15 solo shows.
1987 Student Exhibition, Alpen School of Art
1996 Group Show, Lucius Productions, Montreal
1997 Solo exhibition, Dynamics of Land and Sky, Arbor Gallery, Vankleek Hill
1999 Juried Show, Cornwall Regional Art Gallery, Cornwall
2000 Landscapes, Georgian House, Alexandria
2000 Apples & Art, Studio & Heritage Tour, Eastern Ontario’s Seaway Valley
2000 Juried Show, Cornwall Regional Art Gallery
2001 Solo Exhibition, The Weave Shed Arts Centre, Cornwall
2001 Galerie Old Chelsea, Old Chelsea
2001 Juried Show, M.O.T.H Gallery, Merrickville
2002 Juried Show, Cornwall Regional Art Gallery
2002 Group Show, Fiddlers Green, Maxville
2002 Solo Exhibition, Landscapes of the Mind, M.O.T.H Gallery
2003 Juried Show, Cornwall Regional Art Gallery
2003 Solo Exhibition, Paysages intérieurs, Galerie Old Chelsea
2003 Ottawa Watercolour Society 47th Juried Show, M.O.T.H Gallery
2004 Solo Exhibition, Skies and Solitudes, Country Studio, St. Eugene
2005 Group Show, Glengarry Pioneer Museum, Dunvegan
2005 Group Show, Three Galleries, Toronto
2005 Group Show, Art Against War, Cube Gallery, Ottawa
2006 Ott...