“I grew up in Sherbrooke, a mid-sized town in Quebec. Born in 1991 to young parents—my mother was 21 and my father was 25—. My parents, both in the midst of raising a baby and finishing their education, led a creative and enriching lifestyle that filled my early years with a lot of love and peace. I feel fortunate to have experienced such a nurturing environment.
Despite growing up around art at home, my high school art classes did not interest me very much. The instruction didn’t resonate, and my inflated teenaged ego narrowed my perspective. I spent more time drawing in class than listening, a habit I still struggle to this day. It was at that time I turned towards individual sports like mountain biking, skiing, and running. These activities were my outlets for pushing my physical limits, and I loved the feeling of getting better through hard work as well as the feelings of victory and of defeat. I found a sense of salvation in the grit and endurance these sports demanded of me.
In my late 20s, after a long-term relationship ended, I found myself seeking a different way of being and of valuing myself. This led me back to art, a pursuit I had set aside while building other aspects of my life, including becoming a ski guide. I had many ideas, and little experience, so I began experimenting with various styles and mediums. Reflecting on this journey today, I’m grateful I found the self-confidence that pushed me to take on this challenge.
It feels like the right thing to do.”
– Xavier Bouchard
