Yan-Éric Côté – always looking up

www.cotecreations.com

For local artist Yan-Éric Côté, inspiration comes from above. The very first painting of what would become his collection called “En l’ère", came about on a walk in the woods. He looked up into the sky and became fascinated by the way that the light from the sky played on the branches and the leaves in the trees above him. He says that this glimpse into nature is the source of his creative energy, and paintings with this theme have become his signature style.

In the 10 years since he was first encouraged to paint by his brother Yves, Yan-Éric has gone from painting in the corner of a local coffee shop to running his own gallery, Côté Créations, at Tremblant resort. He shares the space with other local artists including Annie Tassé, Pion and Michel Normandeau. The resort location offers great visibility to a tourist clientèle and by being present on site, working in his gallery, Yan-Éric is able to connect with the people who buy his work.

The work he sells at the gallery recently caught the eye of a Saudi princess, who bought a large painting after a visit to the shop. While it may or may not launch the next phase of his career, as his brother and biggest fan Yves suggests, it may be a step in that direction. For the moment, however, Yan-Éric just feels fortunate to have his work be appreciated enough for it to be his way of making a living. 

The success of the gallery has allowed Yan-Éric a little more time for a very personal project. His new challenge is to share his passion with his six-year-old daughter Mésange and her classmates, by leading a painting workshop at their school. His own education in art came from observing other artists who he says “opened my vision to create without limits,” and by practicing and playing with different methods, becoming obsessed with what he saw as a new game. He may see teaching as a challenge, but if Yan-Éric can convey to the kids his positive energy and enthusiasm for painting, they are sure to be inspired, as well. 


Kristina deBroin, journalist