Bouchard, Lorne H.

Technique: Oil

1913-1978

Born in Montreal in 1913. George Lorne Holland Bouchard was a painter and commercial illustrator and member of the Royal Canadian Academy.  He was born in Montreal in 1913, where he lived most of his life until 1978, with the exception of a thirteen year period between 1935 and 1948, when he resided in Drummondville.

He first studied at the Barnes School of Art under the direction of Wilfred M. Barnes, then at l’École des beaux-arts de Montréal in Montreal from 1930 to 1932, with Maurice Félix. Clarence Gagnon and Maurice Cullen, who influenced this artist since infancy, have recognized his talent. Practicing oil painting, tempera and watercolor, he often painted landscapes of the Arctic habitat he visited during sea voyages, often documented in newspapers, magazines and even captured on film. He created works outdoors, akin to traditional impressionism and realism. His favorite places remain the coasts of Gaspé, Baie St-Paul, the Laurentians, the Beaupré coast and Oka. He traveled extensively throughout his career to go catch the light and uniqueness of countries such as France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Mexico, the United States as well as Martinique and St. Lucia in the Caribbean.

Lorne H. Bouchard was a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (ARCA elected in 1943, ARC 1962), the Arts Club of Montreal, the Pen and Pencil Club and the Art Directors Club of Montreal. His first opening with RCA and the Museum of Fine Arts Montreal (MMFA) dates back to 1931, when he was only 18. He then exhibited with the RCA until 1967 and MBAM until 1961. His works were also presented at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto and in many prestigious galleries in Canada. His last exhibition was held in 1977. His work is in many public and private collections, including the Museum of Fine Arts of Canada of Montreal and Quebec City, and Tom Thomson Memorial Art Gallery in Owen Sound, Ontario.