Leo-Jos.  Bourguet. Sculptor. Lower Saint-Lawrence. Active 20th century.

Leo Bourguet made very elaborate sculptures using bottle caps.

Coll. Musee de la Civilization de Quebec.

Georges Racicot. Pointe-Calumet, QC. Sculptor. Woodcarver. Active mid to late 20th century.

Georges Racicot made painted carvings of animals, birds and forest creatures as well as human faces and totemic carvings.  Carvings that he placed around his house and yard in Calumet, Quebec.

He had various methods of carving and shaping wood – often making coiled snakes by bending a green (fresh) branch around a sapling in the shape of a coiled snake. When it had dried over time he would free it and paint the snake – usually using ‘as found’ colours. Many of his painted faces were carved in a living standing tree in the manner of his aboriginal ancestors only cutting the face out after it had dried. He filled his yard with them, and other totems, as well as birds and animals. He often carved tools and utensils – cups and bowls – using traditional methods and materials. He was multi-talented and very inventive, drawing on the traditions of his background and ancestry.  While he lived simply he was very sophisticated.

I must mention that Georges Racicot also built over the years a large and important collection of Quebec pottery. He was considered an expert in the field; in particular the Richelieu Valley and Quebec city potters.

A Canoe Cup made from a Burl by Georges Racicot:

Georges Racicot. Burl canoe cup.

The reverse:

Georges Racicot. Burl canoe cup.

Georges Racicot. His mark:

Georges Racicot. Burl canoe cup. His mark.

A. Cote. Woodcarver. Sculptor. St-Guillaume (?) , Quebec. Active mid 20th century.

A. Cote made models of Quebec houses mainly in and around St.-Guillaume, Quebec. His models were highly detailed and often illuminated with electricity. They were sometimes labelled and signed.

A labelled ‘Centennial’ Quebec house in St. Guillaume, QC. By A. Cote:

A Cote. Centennial House.

Side view of the Centennial House:

A. Cote. Centennial House. Side view.

A view of the electrical wiring:

A Cote. View of Wiring.

A different house model:

A. Cote. Model Quebec House.

A. Cote. The furnished interior:

A. Cote. Interior of model house.

Paul Paradis. Sculptor. Woodcarver. Saint-Jovite, Quebec. (Laurentides)  Active 1060’s – 1980’s.

Paul Paradis made painted carvings of the people, animals and birds of the Quebec Laurentians.

He kept a souvenir/studio in the village of St-Jovite, Quebec. He was known for the larger than life sized figures  sitting in  a buggy and chairs around his shop. He made painted carvings of birds and people and door knockers in the form of woodpeckers. Hung on the wall, the bird would peck when the string was pulled.

A carving of a Woodpecker Door Knocker by Paul Paradis:

Door Knocker by Paul Paradis.

The mark of Paul Paradis:

Paul Paradis. His mark.

A view in black and white of the shop of Paul Paradis in the 1960′-70’s:

Paul Paradis. His Atelier.