Born: May 1, 1945 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Father's hometown.
Childhood: Nanaimo, BC 1951-1964. Mother's hometown.
1964-1969: Graduated from Highschool in 1964. Worked for CPR for awhile on Vancouver Island, worked in Wawa Ontario in the mines off and on between 1964-1969. Bummed around the US in 1969.
1969-1997: In Nanaimo, worked various jobs in logging, roofing, bartending, etc., and retired from Canada Post in 1997 after 20 years.
Marital Status: Wife of 30 years Shannon, 2 daughters Beverly and Jo-Anne, 2 grandsons Raymond 7yrs old and Brandon 17 yrs old.
Present Home Base: Nanaimo.
My Art History:
I am a self taught artist, my interest started in the 60's.
1960- to mid 70's: played with acrylics and oils until I realized I wasn't a painter.
Mid 70's: I tried wood and soapstone carving and decided I was better at that. Over the years since I have improved considerably and usually focus on busts of wildlife. Have done some larger pieces, but usually jewellery size (pendants).
Materials I work in: Soapstone, Slate, clay, Alabaster, Jet, Crystal, Fossil ivory (Mammoth, Mastodon, Walrus,) tagua nuts (palm ivory, vegetable ivory). Teeth: Spermwhale, Hippo, Walrus, Bear, Wolf etc. Antler: Moose, Deer and Elk. Wood: Yellow Cedar, Alder, Pine and Driftwood.
Shows As Featured Artist:
Special Display and Bone Carving Demonstrations:
Portland Regional Gem and Mineral Show (7yrs)
BC Gem and Mineral Show (12yrs)
Victoria Gem, Mineral and Hobby Show (12yrs)
Seattle Gem and Mineral Show (4yrs)
Everett Gem and Mineral Show (2yrs)
BC Ferry Corporation Artist Speaker Program: Applied and Accepted since 1997 - Sales and Demonstration.
Member of Nanaimo Arts Council, 12 yrs. (on the Board for 2yrs) and Nanaimo Art Gallery (3yrs).
My work is in collections world wide.
Gerald Coutu
523 Kennedy St
Nanaimo, BC V9R 2J6
Tel: (250) 753-8370
E-mail: [email protected]
