Marc Michaud

Marc Michaud, acclaimed artist has illustrated many paintings to restore the towns history while adding colour back in the community. Walking downtown Legal there is an abundance of striking murals several of which were painted by former local artist Michaud in the past decade.

Michaud, (Born 1973), was into art from a young age. “Before I could remember, I don’t really remember not drawing or enjoying it.” It started with doodling then he graduated to taking lessons from a close family friend. By the age of 19 he accepted the chance to paint his very first mural. Ernie Chauvet, president of the local Francophone Association, had this idea to paint murals around town. While highlighting the Francophone contribution to the community, the murals were also meant to attract tourists.

Chauvet originally asked Marc’s younger brother Daniel, who declined the offer, seeing himself as unprepared to take such a task. Chauvet then suggested the idea to Marc “I said yes then wrangled my younger brother into helping me.” Their first mural labelled “Gelot” is of the founding family of Legal. This mural took 10 weeks, but was well worth it. Marc remembers,” We were 17 to 19 then and we had other priorities on the weekends.” Their fame in creativity landed them another job. Michaud believes that the sponsoring families enjoyed having local artists paint portraits. Over the next 10 years they would create a total of 8 murals for the community. Michaud enjoys having the chance to paint for Legal. With his brother Daniel, living out of province as well as himself living in Gatineau, Quebec, it gives them both a chance to work and visit with everyone.

When Michaud isn’t painting a mural he juggles the tasks of being a stay at home father and graphic novel author. Arche 29, is a sci-fi graphic novel Michaud has been illustrating for the past little while.

Of all the murals Michaud and his brother have painted, he loves each and every one. However, the trompe l’oeuil takes the cake. “ I really like it because it stands out so much from the others.” Unlike his past works, this latest mural, using the artistic style “trompe oeuil”, painted in 2007, it isn’t a traditional historical mural, but is more modern with a contemporary artist style to it. The mural forms the eye of their mother, from far away. As a person moves closer they see about a hundred and forty portraits making up the eye. Local community members gave $50 to have their faces painted on the mural and in the end it truly became a community project again reflecting the local support to its visual arts.