Patrice Desilets – Service attendant

For 16 years, Patrice has worked as a service attendant at VIA Rail. But on the side, he indulges his passion for art and for painting. For Patrice, his professional schedule is the key to his creative success; during his work hours, he meets new people from different walks of life which in turn inspire his art. On his days off, he dedicates himself to his craft. “VIA Rail feeds me with inspiration and it is digested in painting  afterwards.”

The balance of discipline at work and freedom at home is the perfect routine to enable his personal expression. Patrice began his studies in Fine Arts at John Abbott College, and as a young adult, he always found a way to express his creativity : from concocting new drinks as a bartender, to creating artwork and drawings on board. Patrice always has a pen on him; on his down time and in between attending customers, he leaves his artistic mark on anything he can find like a napkin or an envelope. He sometimes integrates these pieces to his final paintings. Patrice’s paintings are easily recognizable because of his distinct and inventive style that feature seascapes, floral arrangements and even characters. Here are some samples of his work: