October 17, 2024 / Allie Wildridge

Richard Montpetit– REFLECTIONS

“Painting the water allows an abstract language without betraying visible reality. It is all based on the study of light, and we can thus observe the sky, the fields, and the trees in summer or under the snow in the same way. Reflection in a figurative sense induces a meditative state, all while contemplating nature. We are then present, and our senses awakened.” 

             — Richard Montpetit

Please see a collection of thoughts the artist had while creating his latest exhibition, “Reflections”.

	“Reflets dans L’Eau Vive” In the village of Eastman, there is a small dam on the river which controls the water level of the Lac D’Argent”.  Right near the drop, the river flows slowly.  At the end of the afternoon we can see between its icy banks, as the river takes on the colour of the sky.  The reflections of the dam and trees undulate slightly.
“Ciel Embrasé” On the horizon, the clouds freeze a moment before dissolving in an ascending movement.
		“Les Grands Arbres” After an early snowfall, a beautiful sunny day framed by larger trees, the aspens are rising in the light.  Winter may arrive…
“Nenuphars” At the end of the day when the sun is low, I explore the small bays of the Long Pond Lake where water lilies proliferate in peaceful waters.  Here some white flowers are still to open…
		“La Serpentine” In recent years, I have often returned to the site of this shallow stream surrounded by lush vegetation which makes its access quite difficult.  It makes me feel as though I am probably the only one to go there.
“L’Étang Paisible” A private pond that a friend showed me.  I later returned in the early hours of the morning.
		“Brume Matinale” Another place to go, around several ponds a few minutes from my home.  Here again, I get up at dawn to be there when the first rays appear.
“Reflets sur la Rivière” Some days a thin layer of ice forms on the surface of the river where the current is less strong.  At times when the light fades, everything changes from minute to minute.
		“Murmures de la Rivière” On a dirt road which leads to Saint-Etienne-de-Bolton, a little after leaving Route 245, we cross a small bridge.  At this point I follow the river, walking in the snowy fields to arrive at this site and admire these moving waters with golden reflections.
“Un Soir au Lac” At the Long Pond Lake where we swim, there is a peninsula on the other side.  In the evening, the wind dies and the water is like a mirror.
		“Au Printemps” In the morning walking towards the east, I take the Martin’s path and I arrive in a small wooded area filled with apple trees and flowering in spring.
“Nuages” Small stop on the way to Magog.  There, we have a nice view of Lake Orford.  On the horizon, magnificent white clouds are rising.  It is like an invitation to travel.
			“Le Ciel au Bout du Lac” Sometimes clouds have such depth that when contemplating them we can imagine territories that extend to infinity.
“Les Trembles au Printemps” In spring, before the leaves appear, the aspens are adorned with pink tones that brighten by the warm light of the end of day.
			“Là-Bas le Ciel” A field bordered by trees, an opening towards the west leads to a majestic sky.
“Contre-Jour” The red sun set like a precious stone, in the deep greens of vegetation.
			“Comme une Paroi Ensoleillée” In the morning at the end of the field, a small path invites you to go down a little further and observe the trees, which stand up flooded with golden light.
“Croissant de Lune” To walk at dawn in the morning mist.
			“Au Couchant” The site where I am going back so often, where the landscape is renewing through seasons, even changing from morning to night.
“Pleine Lune” When the moon is low before disappearing into the turquoises of the dawn.
			“Neige Blanche” Sometimes the light seems to come from the snow itself.  Everything is white and silent.  Those days I have the impression of waking into my childhood memories.
“Dans la Course des Nuages” I spent the night at a friends house.  Through the window I was watching a dramatic sky, and for a brief moment I saw the moon appearing in the course of the clouds.
			“Lumière sur le Couvert Neigeux” A bright January morning at the time where the blue shadows lengthen, marrying the modulations of the ground.
“Derniers Rayons sur Orford” In winter, everywhere around Eastman can see the Orford Mount.  Often at the end of the day, it goes through different tones of pink before turning turquoise.
			“Silence de L’Hiver” At the edge of the woods everything is white.  So calm.
“Dentelle” …formed by the patterns of conifer branches buried in snow.
			“Sapin Enneigé” At the edge of the woods are trees covered in snow.  Here, the composition is defined by shadows and light.
“Lendemain de Tempête” The day after the storm the trees are covered in heavy snow.
			“Matin de Janvier” Here and there, a few beech leaves resist the winter.  We hear a slight rustling when the wind moves them.
“Avant de Disparaître” At the end of the day, I was walking to a place high enough to have views of Orford Mount lit by the setting sun.  When I turned around, I saw the sun about to disappear.
			“À L’Ouest” The same field surrounded by the edge of the woods overlooking the sky…
“Le Mont Orford” By the Lac D’Argent, we can see Orford Mount.  Often in winter, it goes through different shades of pink, just before night fall.