“Painting is meditation. I am so focused that everything around me is silenced. When I look at a canvas, I start with a color, and then my imagination overtakes me.”
Rediscovering the Colors: Mona LeBlond’s Artistic Journey
Mona LeBlond is an esteemed artist who radiates the warm vigor of a lifetime devoted not only to nurturing her three successful, independent adult children but also to her passion for visual expression. This year is particularly special for Mona as she and her partner, Marc, celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on September 22, marking half a century of shared memories, support, and love.
She now enjoys a well-deserved retirement from her illustrious career in nursing. In partnership with her husband Marc, a cherished confidant and retired high school teacher, LeBlond has meticulously constructed a life that is both a tranquil oasis and a prolific wellspring for her artistic endeavors. Nestled on a verdant one-acre expanse, their home offers sweeping views of an idyllic lake and stands enveloped by an eclectic mix of trees they have lovingly cultivated. This self-fashioned sanctuary mirrors the beauty and resilience embodied in LeBlond’s art, further bolstered by the personal trials she’s overcome.
In partnership with her husband Marc, a cherished confidant and retired high school teacher, LeBlond has meticulously constructed a life that is both a tranquil oasis and a prolific wellspring for her artistic endeavors. Nestled on a verdant one-acre expanse, their home offers sweeping views of an idyllic lake and stands enveloped by an eclectic mix of trees they have lovingly cultivated. This self-fashioned sanctuary mirrors the beauty and resilience embodied in LeBlond’s art, further bolstered by the personal trials she’s overcome.
Having been stricken with Lyme disease in her 40s, the accomplished artist found herself grappling with ensuing neurological challenges. Her resolute spirit, however, compelled her to channel this adversity into the creation of a safe haven. Thus, the sanctuary not only serves as a testament to LeBlond’s fortitude, but also as a potent source of inspiration for her evocative paintings.
Creating a Haven: Mona LeBlond’s Tranquil Art Space
Mona LeBlond embarked on her artistic journey relatively late in life, at the age of 69, after receiving an invitation from a neighbor to participate in weekly painting sessions. These sessions, which involved following online tutorials led by various artists, sparked a passion within LeBlond that led her to paint with increasing frequency. In response to this burgeoning interest, she transformed a spare bedroom into a personal studio space, generously supported by her partner, Marc. This space has not only nurtured LeBlond’s artistic expression but also served as a tranquil haven for meditation, particularly useful during episodes of chronic insomnia.
LeBlond’s early work predominantly focused on landscape painting, drawing inspiration from cherished memories of annual family camping trips during her childhood. These experiences, later shared with her own children until their teenage years, have profoundly shaped the landscapes she reproduces on canvas. These are not mere representations of physical places, but rather reflections of the sanctuary she has constructed with Marc over the years.
However, it is important to note that LeBlond’s creative scope extends beyond the confines of landscape art. The rich diversity of her oeuvre reveals a versatile artist unafraid to explore new artistic territories, thus making her work all the more intriguing and compelling.
Beyond Landscapes: The Versatility of Mona LeBlond
Mona LeBlond holds a particular affinity for the creation of abstract art, a domain in which she does not confine herself to any single, defined style. The artistic process for LeBlond typically initiates with a color, serving as the catalyst for her vivid imagination. This creative coupling of color and imagination yields artworks that embody a harmonious blend of external influences and internal intuition.
Master Safa Bute, an esteemed observer of LeBlond’s artistic journey, has perceptively articulated the essence of her work. He refers to the Canadian artist as a fearless creative force who has been successful in manifesting her long-concealed passion for painting – a love affair originating from her childhood – onto her canvases. Bute observes in LeBlond an incredible commitment to her craft, underscored by a palpable emotional intensity. Recognizing her as an expressionist, he commends her for the distinctiveness of her palette and figures, thereby highlighting the uniqueness of LeBlond’s artistic style.
Immersed in Acrylics: Mona LeBlond’s Meditative Artistry
Currently aged 71, the enigmatic artist has found her daily existence intertwined with the entrancing allure of painting. Her life’s rhythm dances to a unique tempo, a daily symphony often culminating in the creation of two or three exquisite canvases. Primarily, she adopts acrylics as her medium of choice, their rapid-drying properties functioning as a portal into a deeper immersion in her artistic journey.
For LeBlond, the act of painting has evolved into more than a mere pastime; it has grown to embody a meditative practice. In these solitary moments, the clamor of the world around her retreats into silence, allowing her to be seamlessly carried away into a tranquil sanctuary of serenity and peace. With every brushstroke, Mona redefines her personal space, creating a haven where she can express her emotions and articulate her perception of the world.
For those intrigued by Mona LeBlond’s artistry and wish to delve deeper into her world, she may be contacted through her Facebook page, “Paintings by Mona.”
