Born in Quebec in 1949 Claudette Castonguay has been pursuing art for close to forty yearsA selftaught painter she has exhibited her paintings across Canada regularly since 1979 In 1984 she retired from teaching to devote her time exclusively to her professionnel painting careerIn her paintings Claudette Castonguay pictures the individuality of characters portraying them with spontaneity sensivity and humourAn afternoon cocktail party an abundant garden markets full of flowers and children at play are reflections of the joy that she is able to capture on canvasWorking with the sounds of Mozart and Bach in the background she focuses on creating harmony within her painting The world of Claudette Castonguay continues to delight and surprise with her elegant compositions full of playful detailstrongWhen I begin a new painting I love to give time and space to improvisation I choose colours I draw forms and instinctively I try to harmonize light colours and forms From this the subject of the painting takes formstrongstrongstrongstrongI am fascinated by the play activity of creation and I like to think that the canvas I am painting will bring as much joy to the person who will choose it as I am experiencing when I paint itstrongstrongI am constant and diligent in working in my studio When I stand in front of the easel there is only this present moment that exists strongstrongThese instants are precious sometimes magical strongstrongWhat more can I ask for strong