Bio

Gilles Cormier is a multidisciplinary visual artist (wood sculpture, stained glass, painting, illustration). An accomplished artist, he has exhibited his works in New Brunswick, Quebec and France.

Born in Robertville, New Brunswick, Gilles currently lives in Dalhousie, New Brunswick.

The fascination and pleasure of playing with shapes and colors has been with him since his first breath. Inhabited by this need to recreate himself, he touches on everything. From painting on canvas to sculpture, with a happy detour as a children's book illustrator, Gilles leaves his mark, his signature. Like a child attracted by a new toy, it's in stained-glass creation that he's recently been drawn to explore.

Gilles draws his inspiration from his daily life, from everything that surrounds him, both flora and fauna.

The reliefs in his paintings are reminiscent of his cabinetmaking and sculpting skills, and the delicacy of the finish. The pleasure of touching wood led to intensive woodcarving courses in Maine (USA) and several years of cabinetmaking and woodturning.

A few seasons as a set designer in community theater gave him the opportunity to blossom as a creative artist. While inhabiting the stage, he dares to explore new perspectives, using primary colors. These colors are transposed onto his canvases.

A glance at his canvas is like a corner of a sail, lifted from his soul.

Gilles is currently a member of the l’Association acadienne des artistes professionnels du Nouveau-Brunswick (AAAPNB), the Canadian Artists’ Representation (CARFAC) and the Baie des Chaleurs Cultural Society Council.

Residency Project

My most recent activities with students have been abstract illustration work in Indian ink. A workshop that transmits well to students in 5th or 6th grade.

Starting with an ink jet, we create our own story, however abstract it may be, and it can take us in a completely unexpected direction.

Shapes develop, each more precise and surprising than the last. It's all about creation.

Teaching Experience

I've also done various projects, such as Génie Arts with “Le Galion des Appalaches” school, and a series of paintings depicting the history of the Battle of the Restigouche. I also teach wood carving to First Nations students (Eel River Bar), as well as a host of other projects.

Illustration and painting workshop given in schools :

• 2024 - ''Coup double'' program, Quebec elementary schools, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu region. Animation accompanied by the author, with illustration activity. (6 schools)
• 2023 - Abstract illustration workshop in black ink. École la Mosaïque, Bois-Joli
• 2018 - Génie Arts project, École Le Galion des Appalaches, 24 paintings on the history of the Gallion during the Battle of the Restigouche.
• 2016 - Book illustration workshop, Académie Notre-Dame de Dalhousie,
• 2015 - Painting workshop, Campbellton Apollo School
• 2010 - Painting workshop, La croisée de Robertville