Tucked away on Chemin Principal in St-Joseph-du-Lac, a home-based art studio is quietly gaining a strong reputation. Maxime Lacourse, the artist behind the work, is steadily becoming a recognized name across the North Shore.
Lacourse recently took part in the fifth edition of Rosemère en Arts, held on June 6 and 7, where he was featured as the honored guest. During the event, he was given a dedicated time slot from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday to create a live painting in front of attendees. For many visitors, it was an opportunity not only to observe his technique, but to witness how an idea takes shape on canvas.
“I had such a great time doing the Rosemère en Arts event,” said Maxime Lacourse. “It’s the best way to get people into the hobby, or spark their creativity.”
Nostalgia Through Paint and Memory
That philosophy reflects Lacourse’s overall approach to art. For him, painting is not just about producing finished works. It is about inviting people into the process and allowing them to connect with creativity in a personal way. His own journey began at an early age and has remained consistent ever since.
“I’ve been painting and showcasing my work since I was 16 years old,” said Lacourse.
Over time, his work has evolved into a distinctive exploration of memory and identity, most notably through the theme of nostalgia. Working primarily in oil, Lacourse builds scenes that feel both familiar and dreamlike, drawing from childhood, collective memory, and Quebec’s cultural past.
“I typically work on oil paintings and the theme I’ve been exposing recently has been the theme of nostalgia,” he said.
Rather than presenting nostalgia as something fixed, Lacourse approaches it as something fluid and open to interpretation. His paintings often incorporate archival elements, including photographs of real people, which he transforms into layered compositions. In one piece, he used individuals from St-Joseph-du-Lac, sourced from historical archives from Rose-des-Vent elementary school grounding his imaginative work in real stories.
This connection between reality and imagination is central to his practice. He frequently works with people who provide personal photographs and objects, allowing him to reinterpret their histories into visual narratives. These paintings become more than artistic expressions. They act as living representations of personal and collective memory.
Despite this strong narrative foundation, Lacourse avoids guiding the viewer toward a single meaning. His work is intentionally open-ended, giving space for interpretation.
“When I’m painting, I’m not going to necessarily portray a clear story or a timeline of action on the canvas. I want the viewer to appropriate the story themselves,” he said.
Where Theatre Meets Visual Art
Another major influence in Lacourse’s work is theatre. A long-time passion, it shapes not only the subject matter of his paintings but also how they are constructed. His compositions often resemble stage sets, where objects and figures feel carefully placed, as if part of a scene waiting to unfold.
“I like to paint theatre. I’ve always been a theatre kid ever since I was young,” he said.
This theatrical influence introduces an element of illusion into his work. Like a stage production, where scenery shifts and expectations are challenged, Lacourse’s paintings play with perception. Objects appear to suggest a story, but nothing is fully explained. This creates a sense of mystery that invites viewers to engage more deeply.
That same spirit extends beyond the canvas and into Lacourse’s home itself. Over the past 25 years, he has transformed his property into an immersive artistic environment that mirrors his work.
Upon arrival, visitors are immediately immersed in his world. While the front door offers a conventional entry, a path to the right leads directly into his gallery. The walls are filled with paintings, portraits, and collected images, each contributing to a layered visual narrative. The space feels less like a display room and more like an extension of his creative mind.
Outside, the experience becomes even more striking. A rock formation that was already present on the property has been transformed into a waterfall, complete with flowing water and koi fish swimming below. Surrounding it are sculptures and decorative objects, many of which have been gathered over time through personal connections.
“Friends of mine have helped me over the years,” he said. “For example, this sculpture [Manneken Pis] was found in a scrap yard by a friend of mine and they gave it to me.”
The studio itself sits slightly elevated in the backyard, just steps above the gallery. It is here that Lacourse produces most of his work, constantly experimenting with new ideas and techniques. Recently, he has expanded his practice to include more dimensional elements.
“I’ve been trying to get into making more 3D painting with the goal of collecting a lot of them and exposing them,” he said.
His home, much like his art, is never static. It is an evolving space that he continually reshapes, adding and removing elements as his vision changes.
“I’m always putting stuff up, then taking it down and so on and so forth,” he said.
Part of the inspiration for this environment comes from travel. Lacourse often reflects on his experiences in Europe, where architecture, history, and atmosphere combine to create a sense of unreality.
“I’ve wanted to live around theatre décor so I designed my house specifically to evoke those types of emotions,” he said.
That feeling of stepping into another world is something he has spent years trying to recreate. Each summer, he opens his space to visitors, welcoming them to experience it firsthand.
“As of July I try my best to get as many people here as possible,” he said. “I want them to see everything I’ve created but more importantly I want to be able to be inspired by it.”
In addition to his artistic practice, Lacourse is deeply involved in teaching. At the Centre d’Art d’Argenteuil in Lachute, he offers courses in portraiture and animal portraiture, working with a diverse range of students. Many of his students are adults looking to improve their skills or reconnect with art, while others come seeking inspiration or direction.
“I love teaching students who have never had any sort of art training,” he said.
He also works with more experienced artists who are searching for new direction, offering guidance to help them overcome creative blocks. Through his masterclasses, Lacourse demonstrates his techniques before encouraging students to explore their own approach.
“I act as a guide for them to express their emotions through their work,” he said.
Through his paintings, his home, and his teaching, Maxime Lacourse has built something that goes beyond a traditional art practice. He has created a fully immersive experience where nostalgia, theatre, and imagination intersect.
In that space, each person can become apart of the story.
