Born on August 1, 1946 in Cap-Rouge, near Quebec City, Louise Houde was a Quebec painter known for her still lifes and semi-abstract landscapes, distinguished by a strong pictorial sensitivity and a structured sense of composition.
Beginning in the early 1960s, she undertook several stays in Europe, particularly in Scotland and France, where she initiated her artistic training. Upon returning to Quebec City in 1963, she studied at the École des beaux-arts de Québec and refined her practice under the guidance of painter Albert Rousseau, an important figure in Quebec art. Committed to continuous artistic development, she later pursued further studies in Japan in 1972 and in France in 1975.
Houde’s work is characterized by a distinctive visual language, often featuring bold black outlines that define forms, structure space, and enhance chromatic contrasts. Working primarily in oil on canvas, she developed a pictorial universe where figuration and abstraction coexist in a subtle balance.
Throughout her career, her work gained consistent visibility within the Quebec art scene, with mentions in art publications and cultural media. Her paintings are included in numerous private and corporate collections in Canada and abroad.
Her works are also part of several institutional collections, including the Musée de Joliette, the Musée de Chicoutimi, and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, reflecting the recognition of her contribution to Quebec’s artistic heritage.
Louise Houde passed away in 2016, leaving behind a distinctive body of work where structural linework interacts with a rich and expressive use of color.