Brigitte Boulay Artist
Brigitte is a visual artist and published author/poet. Brigitte's life was infused with art for as long as she can remember. Her professional training was taken at the University of Pennsylvania, Algonquin Collage, Ottawa School of Art and private lessons from Jack Neilson of Almonte, ON for one year. Brigitte often attends workshops and classes to continue learning and expanding her skills. She is a member of the Ottawa Art Gallery and the West Carleton Arts Society.
Her natural ability to bring her writings and visual art to life was nurtured, influenced and inspired by her family. Her Great-Grandfather was a master violinist and conductor for the New York Symphony Orchestra as well as a trailblazer in the recordings of traditional Quebecois jigs.
Arthure Joseph Boulay's (AJ) recordings can be found at the National Archives of Canada. Her Grandfather was a professional Saxophone artist and visual artist, and her Father was a part-time musician and artist. Her Mother was an incredible self taught artist who had a huge impact on her; she nurtured Brigitte's natural artistic talents.
Brigitte’s stationery displays an innate musical appreciation of big bands and orchestras and the glamour from the Hollywood glory days. It was an honor to have been chosen to design stationery for Sophie Gregoire (wife of Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada), The Archbishop of Canada, President and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University, Vice President Canada at Rio Tinto, President of NSERC, President of Revlon to name a few.
Her creations can be found in various art galleries, cafe's, bistros, boutiques and art shows. Brigitte accepts commission pieces and it is an absolute pleasure for her to create something personal.
She is a published poet, author and co-author. "We Live in the Shadows" is a compilation of personal stories of those who live on the streets. It was published in Ottawa, ON. Brigitte also co-authored "Ruby Red Shoes", a book about female empowerment, "Thin Places: The Ottawan Anthology", an anthology of the writings of various authors as well as "Love and Catastrophe - Poetre".
Awards/nominations:
Book of the Year - Ottawa FACES Awards - 2021
CBC Trailblazers Award: 2019
Ottawa Wedding Awards: 2018 & 2019
Ottawa FACES Awards: 2018 & 2019
Spirit of NSERC: 2018
Extraordinary Achievement Award: 2015
Government of Canada Merit Award: 2008
Communications Awards of Excellence: 2000
Public Service Award of Excellence: 1998
Of all the accolades and nominations Brigitte has received for her work, her most prestigious and heart-centered is receiving an Eagle Feather for her work in helping our homeless.
*The Great Golden Eagle feather was picked up by a feather carrier in the Huron (Iroquois) nation of Quebec, Canada.
Brigitte’s heart is very close to those living on the streets. She was the President & founding member of Shadow Ottawa. Shadow provided assistance to our homeless and those living in poverty in Ottawa, ON. Brigitte was overtaken by sadness after doing street outreach one day and she wrote a poem, "We live in the shadows". The poem became a song: We live in the shadows - YouTube. All artists' information can be found on YouTube for this song.
10% of all sales goes directly to help our homeless and those living in poverty in Ottawa, ON!
Brigitte can be reached by Email, Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn. C'est toujours un plaisir pour Brigitte de communiquez avec vous en Français.