If during the intermission of Guess Whose Coming to Dinner you take the opportunity and admire the art on display, you may think to yourself that the style looks familiar, especially the abstract paintings. You are correct. This week’s co artist Gerry Larocque is also working as the shows’s visual artist and some of his abstract art is also part of the set decor for the show you are watching.
Before retiring, Gerry was a landscape architect and urban designer for over 45 years, working across Canada. Here in Ottawa, some recognizable projects include: Andrew Hayden Park; the Kanata Lakes community; Carling Executive Park; Amberwood Village, and the North Tech Business Campus Kanata.
Over the past number of years his wife Kerry was a regular OLT member and most recently they have renewed their interest thanks to their good friends Pam and Peter Harle . Peter is his co exhibitor in the Spotlight Gallery of the Janigan Studio.
Although not formally trained in painting, (he has a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph, and a Master of Arts in Geography and Environmental Studies from Carleton University), Gerry has used his professional talents to develop his painting skills.
It was his grandmother who instilled in him a love of art and encouraged him to pursue it. His first painting, completed at 9 years old, was given to her as gift. She held on to it for many decades and now years later it is back in his possession. She was a gardener, and was one of the biggest influences on him both in pursuing an environmentally focused career, and in painting where he picked up her keen ability and appreciation of color combinations.
His first foray into painting was in traditional landscapes using influences from the Group of Seven. He then started to experiment in more abstract Impressionism.
Gerry immerses himself in understanding the landscape he is depicting. A good example would be his paintings of New York’s Times Square where after he returned home from his visit he excitedly put the impact of that experience on canvas. For a relatively rural guy in Winchester, the Big Apple made some impression on him and over a course of a week, he managed to put his impressions and emotions in paint for all to see.
After retiring he has had more time to experiment with his craft. He has taken several courses at the Ottawa School of Art, Wallack’s, and the Mississippi Hills School of the Arts to enhance his ability to pursue a more abstract approach. He intentionally did not follow one school of painting and rather than mimic, he wanted to evolve his own style. He enjoys all things visual and concrete as well as abstract and inspirational. He tells me that when it come to his painting “ with abstract work you don’t know where you are going and you don’t know how you are going to get there. That’s the journey you’re on.”
He works at his home in in a combined art and music studio where he enjoys playing guitar among his paintings and workspace.
Gerry does not display very often, preferring one show each year, the OLT being the choice of 2020. However, people come to his studio to view his work. He lends out his paintings on a long term basis to companies to display on their walls. If they purchase them that’s great . If they don’t, Gerry knows that his work is brightening up the halls of many firms. In fact, the employees are usually very interested to see which new works are being displayed.
His personal favourite on display in the Janigan Studio is called “Early Morning on Dewberry Trail”. It depicts the dawn while he was cross country skiing . The majestic orange sunrise lit up the trail and he thought that it was as close to heaven as he’d ever get. He notes that this would be a prime example of environmental experience devoid of humanity as opposed to his New York City scenes which are more of an urban experience charged with humanity.
Of the 12-15 pieces he completes each year he keeps only 1-2 for himself. He currently is focussing on bigger 6×8 ft sizes preferred by the 30-40 age group. Many have large houses with big walls and lots of light – a perfect showcase for his work.
Gerry is an avid skiier and biker and he and Peter take many trips together whereever the slopes or trails are calling. He participates obsessively in outdoor sports and recreation and much of his artistic inspiration comes from these experiences.
Gerry now employs his painting as part of his volunteer work to support selected causes. All proceeds from the sale of his work here at the OLT will be contributed back to the theatre. On behalf of the theatre, we want to thank Gerry for his generosity. In addition, on behalf of my children, who spent many weekends at Andrew Hayden Park, we want to thank you for the wonderful memories that they left in us.
Albert