For Los Angeles-based painter Sylvain Latendresse, art has always been more than a career; it’s a way of being.
Born in Jonquiere and raised in Lévis, Québec, Sylvain credits his early connection to nature and light to the Canadian artists who first inspired him: Jean-Paul Riopelle, Paul-Émile Borduas, and the Group of Seven. Their influence laid the groundwork for a lifelong journey of visual exploration.
Educated in Montreal, Latendresse earned both a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and a Master’s in Art History from UQAM, where he wrote his thesis on Joseph Beuys. “Art appeared as a natural way of being,” he recalls. “Montreal became my home, where I met and collaborated with many other artists.”
But it was in California, specifically during the quiet solitude of the pandemic, that Sylvain returned to painting after nearly two decades. Drawn to the stillness of nature in Paso Robles, he was struck by the beauty of gnarled oaks and golden light at dusk. That reconnection reshaped his practice.
Today, his vibrant acrylic works, created entirely with a palette knife, blend color, texture, and a meditative approach to craft. “I don’t believe in inspiration, just humble daily work,” he says. “It’s a conversation with the canvas.”
Critics have taken note. Peter Frank, a respected L.A. curator, described his work as “post-neo-impressionism,” hovering between impressionism, fauvism, and expressionism. Yet Latendresse resists labels: “I’m not trying to fit a style. I’m trying to capture a perception.”
You can experience that perception firsthand at his upcoming group show:
Next Exhibit: “Leitmotif” at Gallery 825
Los Angeles Art Association, 825 N. La Cienega Blvd.
August 9 – September 5, 2025
Opening Reception: Saturday, August 9, 10 AM – 5 PM
Come see how this Canadian artist translates light, nature, and memory into a vivid language all his own.
DayDreams by Sylvain Latendresse.