PAULINE PAQUIN

Born in Sainte-Monique, Quebec, Pauline Paquin is the mother of three sons. She is currently living in the Laurentians where she carries on relentlessly what started back in 1979.  Paquin is essentially a self-taught painter. She trained as a nurse and worked with children in the school system. She observed the fascinating world of childhood, with imagination, spontaneity and simplicity, and this became the centre of her work.
Paquin is a figurative naive artist with an explosive colour palette, an eye for detail, and an acute sense for observation. She says, "Children live, think, and play in a world that is theirs only. The things that surprise us are part of their daily ritual. We need to adapt ourselves and understand them and, most importantly, love our children for who they are."

Paquin's works are often described as "fresh" and "honest". Her paintings radiate with the energy and enthusiasm of childhood. She puts on canvas those magical moments of childhood. She reveals a sensitivity, a mothering, and a feeling of nostalgia. Each painting illustrates a unique moment of a child's life, a world in perpetual effervescence, and an endless whirl of activity. Using bold colours and rapid brushstrokes, Paquin creates delightful panels that concentrate on the movements and activities of children. 

Every piece of work is an expression of liberty and joy for life. Scenes depicted bring us back to our own childhood. There are few adults in her paintings, but one can imagine that the adults are not too far off, watching over their children from a distance.  The faces are intentionally left indistinct, encouraging the viewer to remember his or her own childhood. The omission of facial features allows Paquin's audience to easily be drawn into the magical moments of the children's universe.

The children depicted throughout Paquin's work have become well known to Canadian and International collectors. Many products and organizations are associated with Paquin's original work: books, greeting cards, magazines, television shows, charities (Unicef) and even Canadian postage stamps to commemorate Unicef's 50th Anniversary.