Leclair J.P.

Article by Cheryl Brink
Standard-Freeholder
December 16, 2011

CORNWALL - The Cornwall Regional Art Gallery's very first exhibitor is back this month, celebrating his 30th year as a successful local artist. J.P. Leclair has his work on
display hoping to change some perspectives on global events. "We have to get out of the mindset that conflict, war is the way to go.'' he said. "We need a psyche of co-operation.''

Much of Leclair's work is a commentary on politics and current events, though some of
his pieces can sit for months before they are completed. His studio is filled with odds and ends: scrap metal, wood, plants, and other objects. He said he often puts off finishing a project until he finds just the right pieces to put together.

"Time is never a factor in what I do,'' he said, adding that he often has several works in progress at a given time. "But the objects are very important.'' He didn't begin working on
his three-dimensional art until his career in graphic design was already in full swing.
"It wasn't satisfying for me.'' he said, noting back then he worked with paper and pencil.
Leclair added that he didn't enjoy designing other people's ideas, when he had plenty of his own that he wanted to bring to life.

He already had some experience with woodworking, so it made sense for him to start out
using wood in his early projects. "I was a very tactile person,'' he said. Now, he visits scrap metal yards, garage sales and flea markets to pick up the castoffs that eventually become his works of art. "Whatever I don't have, I make,'' he said.

Though Leclair has exhibited across and beyond the province, he was grateful for the chance to come back for his sixth show at the Cornwall Regional Art Gallery, titled the Changing Dialogue.

"It's a big milestone,'' he said of marking 30 years in the arts. "I don't take anything for granted.'' He said he doesn't plan to slow down anytime soon, as he has plenty of other ideas to bring to his studio. "I have to get more done.'' he said. "I have a lot of things to say.''

Leclair also works for SCM, and is happy to keep art as a part-time activity. "You can't force things to happen.'' he said. "That's the secret to success.''

Assemblage