Lime Kiln, Baie-Saint-Paul 1926

Clarence Gagnon’s ‘Lime Kiln, Baie-Saint-Paul’ is a painting that seems to have been made with pastels or crayons, with bold lines describing a wintery scene. The visible strokes create a sense of movement, almost like the air is buzzing with cold. The color palette is pretty limited, mostly earth tones, but there are touches of blue and white to suggest snow and sky. The textures feel rough and raw, and I'm really drawn to the layering of marks, which gives the piece a tactile quality. You can almost feel the chill in the air, and the heat of the lime kiln. If you look closely at the smoke rising from the kiln, you can see how Gagnon uses swirling lines to create a sense of depth and volume. The way the dark strokes contrast with the white sky is really effective, and it draws the eye to this central point of energy in the composition. In some ways, the thick marks are reminiscent of Van Gogh, even though the subject matter is very different. Both artists share a similar interest in using expressive brushwork to convey emotion and atmosphere. Ultimately, this painting is an invitation to slow down, look closely, and appreciate the beauty of simple moments.