Victoria Blouin

Victoria Blouin, born in Montreal and raised in the Cowichan Valley, is a watercolour painter, oil painter and a printmaker. Her work explores themes about nature, body positivity and the human form.

Art has always been part of Victoria’s life. She started painting as early as she could hold a paintbrush. She may tell you it’s because of her passion for art, her mother may say it’s because it was an efficient way to keep her kids busy and well-behaved. Who’s to say who is more correct. 

Victoria was exposed to art at an early age as it runs in her maternal side of the family. Painting lets her feel connected with her great-grandmother as she passed away when Victoria was young.

Victoria is attending Vancouver Island University, working towards her Bachelor of Arts. She is a board member of the Cowichan Valley Arts Council and is on their Youth and Family Committee which focuses on providing art programs for local youth.

Victoria has been exhibiting in a variety of group shows in the Cowichan Valley region. She looks forward to developing her skills further, making more art, and continuing to be an active member of her local art community. 

My Grievances is a limited edition of three handmade books exploring the themes of grief and acceptance. 

I consider myself a painter first and foremost. In recent years, I have grown to adore printmaking. From its clean graphic appearance, meditative nature when carving the blocks, and printing them by hand, linoleum printmaking was a love-at-first-sight medium.

I began my process by making pieces of paper using recycled scraps I had collected, and included dried flower petals from old bouquets. I love giving a second life to what would otherwise become waste, and having my own customized paper made me further invested in the project.

The images of the book, all from hand carved linoleum blocks, are tied to moments of grief I have been toiling with. Growing apart from an old friend, health crises of family members, the fear of losing out on opportunities as time passes quickly, and preparing oneself for an uncertain future. Unfortunately, moments many can relate too.

The journey of creating this book gave me time to acknowledge, and accept my grievances. This project reminded me that my art practice is just as much about the process as it is about the final product.