A life’s story shared
Painter picks up brushes after 40-year hiatus
SUMMERSIDE – Paint runs in Denis Robert’s veins.
Obviously not literally, but the art of painting does seem to be his life force.
“If I took a look in the basement there are drawings that would date back to the early 50s. I got my start back in grade school,” said Robert, a Quebec native.
Now in his 70s and an Island resident for 18 years, his paint brushes aren’t far from his reach.
“When I was little, I’d draw the Christmas drawings on all the blackboards in all the classrooms.”
That love of art led him to study at the Montreal School of Fine Arts. He would be a student there for eight years, have his works featured in art shows and be on the receiving end of art critic reviews.
But there came a point that Robert felt he had reached the end of what he could do with a still image.
So, he turned to photography. Then his love of photography turned into videography and cinematography.
With a 40-year hiatus wrapped up, Robert has rediscovered his love of painting.
“I looked at one of my old paintings and it got to me. So, I decided to giving India Ink another try. I tried out different inks, papers, oils to find what I needed.”
India ink is a black ink that can be used to mix with other colours for painting purposes and was commonly used for writing and printing. Now it is more commonly used for drawing and outlining, especially when inking comic books and comic strips.
Taking the family’s dog, JAG, for a walk every morning on the Summerside Boardwalk has also served up inspiration.
“There are images inspired by those walks.”
He said when he picks up a brush, he isn’t thinking about the end result.
“I wet the paper first and let things happen. There’s no lack of inspiration. It’s the story of my life.
“There’s lots of it,” said Robert.
His wife, Monique Mainvelle, added, “It’s like an art gallery in here,” referring to the multiple paintings on the walls of the house and prints that fill the garage.
“It’s exciting. It’s one of the first things I look forward to seeing after I come from home from work. I’ll peak into the garage and see if there is a new painting.”
Mainvelle studied art history and literature. It’s something she’s been interested in since making the connection between the two topics.
“It’s a joy to live in a house with lots of paintings. And now that he’s started again it’s very exciting, the light that comes out of his paintings. Now it’s like I’m seeing the boardwalk through his eyes.”
When learned patterns surface in his new works, Robert takes a painting break for several days.
“It’s terrific to pick up the brush again. I wanted the paintings to come from within, not just known patterns of before. Of course, I was scared. I didn’t know if I’d be good or bad. And I didn’t want it to be the same as what I used to produce.”
In the past, painting was about discovering himself. It’s the same case today.
“It was like getting the light to shine through a cement wall. Now it’s shining through again.”