Kincardine painter showcases work for first time at Victoria Park Gallery

Gerard Lepine of Kincardine loves to paint.

Now, he has his paintings on display for the first time as the guest artist at Victoria Park Gallery in downtown Kincardine, until Nov. 15.

Born in Timmins, the 75-year-old is married and has three children. He worked with the Children’s Aid Society for 45 years, and has lived in Kincardine for 42 years.

“In Grade 7, I coloured a beautiful scenery and saw how to improve the picture,” says Lepine. “So, I worked on improving my pictures.”

While he was working in Toronto, away from home, he watched various professional artists on You Tube, such as Art Sherp and J.M. Lisondra. “I lived in a rooming house there and I had lots of free time.”

After he retired, he took lessons with Artemis Fine Art Instruction in Kincardine, and painted many pictures for relatives and friends. “I have done special paintings and given them to my three children.”

Lepine works mostly in oils and acrylic paint, and has experimented with painting on old hand-saws.

“I did one for my good friend, Bob Fletcher (also of Kincardine),” he says, “and I painted a picture of him playing the saxophone.”

While he enjoys painting pictures of birds, the lake, and landscapes, Lepine has a fascination with barns as well.

“Painting has become my passions,” he says.

Three years ago, he and his wife moved from their home on MacCaskill Road, to a condominium in Aberdeen Estates, and he had nowhere to put all his paintings.

“I spoke with Mary Faubert, who is a member of the gallery,” he says. “She looked at my paintings and said they would make a great show in the guest gallery. So, here we are.”

Victoria Park Gallery is located inside the Kincardine Arts Centre in downtown Kincardine, and is open daily, Noon to 4 p.m. For more information, check the Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/pg/victoriaparkgallerykincardine/posts/