This self-taught artist was born December 12, 1961 in Saint Michel de Bellechasse, on the south shore of Quebec. Raynald Leclerc lived in childhood in a colourful environment surrounded by beautiful landscapes. He first studied architecture at Levis-Lauzon CEGEP and worked for a time as an industrial designer. It was also during this time that he discovered his natural talent for painting.
Following in the footsteps of Clarence Gagnon and the Group of Seven, he first found inspiration in the Canadian landscape and the Charlevoix region of Quebec in particular. His subject matter is nature, pure and simple, a nature he loves intensely.
Like a hunter, Leclerc stalks the beauty of the landscape that surrounds Quebec City. His preliminary work is done on-site where he sketches the outlines of a scene and takes photographs, later he finishes the work in his studio and his sensibilities take over. Leclerc paints with a rare skill, providing us with images that are filled with wonder and that waken our longing for a nostalgic rural paradise.
As an artist, Leclerc has been profoundly influenced by growing up next to the St. Lawrence River and the way that light moves in a thousand ways with the river, and the immensity of space the river engenders. His spatula work on oils reflects an instant ability to capture light and an acute sense of observation. His style is highly appreciated. He handles the painting knife with great dexterity. Using oil and painting knife, Raynald captures the light and shadow of gardens as well as wider vistas such as urban scenes, ports and the rolling hills of the Laurentians.
Since 1982, he has earned his living through the sale of his paintings and has travelled continually throughout different areas of Quebec. His work is displayed at Koyman Galleries in Ottawa, Ontario.
