"Stag in the Woods" (2026 Exhibition)
Original Painting by Helen Rodrigue-Lamothe
Helen Rodrigue-Lamothe's "Stag in the Woods" is an evocative and textural meditation on wildlife and the landscape of Riguad, Quebec where the artist lives and works. Executed with a dynamic impasto technique, the painting uses thick applications of acrylic paint to create a palpable sense of depth and immediacy.
The artist employs a striking contrast between the ethereal white and muted grey tones of the birch forest and the rich, earthy browns and burnt siennas of the magnificent stag. The vertical lines of the tree trunks dominate the foreground, acting as natural, textured borders that frame the majestic animal. The rough, scraped quality of the white bark, achieved through the use of a palette knife, gives the forest a stark, wintry, and almost abstract quality.
The stag itself is rendered with a powerful realism that anchors the composition. Its gaze is steady, suggesting a moment of quiet observation and an unwavering presence in its natural habitat. The painting captures a fleeting, intimate moment of encounter, transforming a simple observation into a powerful statement on resilience and the untamed beauty of nature. Through her expressive technique, the artist invites the viewer to step into the cool, silent air of the woods, feeling the texture of the bark and the solemnity of the encounter.
This piece is a testament to the enduring power of nature and the timeless subject of the wild spirit, rendered with both vigour and sensitivity.
