The Creative Field – The Processes

Creative Labs at the Solidar Boreal Bio-Food Platform, Chicoutimi, Saguenay, 2025

These artistic activities were dedicated to two groups of people who came each week to experience the benefits of gardening on physical and mental health, in collaboration with the Centre Intersectoriel en Santé Durable (CISD) at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC), the Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean Integrated University Health and Social Services Center (CIUSSS SLSJ), and the Vivre ma santé mentale Foundation. Through plant-based art, the use of floral inks, and observational drawing, we conducted individual and collaborative artistic explorations in harmony with living things, while taking into account the work of the earth and the landscape. We also examined the plant species encountered during our walks, including weeds, to create a sensory map of the area’s biodiversity. Following these sessions, I created a work displayed on a building near the pumpkin patch during the public self-picking weekend. In addition, a diptych was installed at the lookout point from which observational drawings of the landscape were created.

My project is financially supported by the City of Saguenay and the Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications as part of the Special Projects Support Program under the Entente de développement culturel.

A life drawing session held at the Solidar lookout point, overlooking the Valins Mountains.
A collection of observational drawings combined into a single piece, to which I added a flower, and which transforms into a nighttime version.
Exhibition of digital prints in the observation deck, September 2025.
Photos: Nathalie Lavoie
Lettuce seedlings in the garden and mixed media pieces created from my recycled drawings, arranged on the growing table.
Using a haystack to create a landscape sketch.
Explorations with the shadows of the wild plants surrounding the garden.
Added a new visual element using a mirror, harvested the mature lettuce, and incorporated cut-out designs among the young shoots.
Drawing of imaginary roots created collaboratively using two Swiss chard plants with their potting soil placed on a growing table.
Photos: Nathalie Lavoie
A drawing workshop was also held with the team from the Solidar boreal bio-food platform.
A fusion of three root-inspired drawings and an exploration of dye plants.
Photos by Nathalie Lavoie

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