Based in Ottawa, Canada, mixed media collage artist Rebecca Clouâtre is renowned for her both two-dimensional and three-dimensional works that “explore the delicate interplay between nature and humanity.” She received a Master’s degree in Art History from Carleton University, with a concentration in Art Exhibition and Curatorial Studies. Before pursuing art full-time, she briefly worked in historical research and curatorial roles, and that experience is evident in her work. We recently sat down with Rebecca to learn more about her creative process, where she finds inspiration, and what she has planned next.
When did you first discover your love of art? Were you an artistic/creative child, or did you discover your talents later in life?
I have always been drawn to the arts, and I’ve always been a collector for as long as I can remember. One distinctive, transformative memory I have was when I was on a Europe trip in high school. My classmates and I visited the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain, and I saw Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch’s iconic The Garden of Earthly Delights. I was in awe of the seemingly endless detail in this three-panel masterpiece, and I experienced an emotional reaction that was completely awakening. I discovered a new appreciation for art, and I realized that this creative world was something I wanted to know so much more about. My love for art and design was evident again when I attended university. I studied English literature with the plan of becoming a teacher, but near the end of my undergraduate degree I enrolled in an Art History course as an elective and I was immediately hooked. I decided to maximize the amount of art history courses I could take before graduating, and when that wasn’t enough, I moved on to complete a Master’s program in Art History and Curatorial Studies.
Making my own art came later in life. My plan was to go into research and curatorial work. I worked at a few art galleries, but I organically gravitated into a full-time art practice when I started making and sharing mini collages on Instagram in early 2017 as a personal exploration and healing exercise. Paper felt like a comfortable medium to work with. I’ve always been drawn to miniature art that involves a lot of craftsmanship and detail. I made one collage a day for 150 days and the project was picked up by Danielle Krysa who runs the popular art blog The Jealous Curator. My audience suddenly and unexpectedly started to grow, and I received many enquiries about whether my work was for sale. I haven’t looked back since!
Hand-cut paper collaging is your current medium—has this always been the case or have you explored other methods in your career?
Until recently I have mostly worked with paper collage, but I am currently exploring paper paste and modelling clay with the intention of bringing more three-dimensional aspects into my work. Thorn Apple, which I’ve included here, is a mixed media collage that incorporates three-dimensional, handmade sculptures of jimson weed seed pods. The artwork is a portrait of my mother, and it symbolizes her struggles with endometriosis.
Outside of the art world, where do you go to get inspired?
So many places! I grew up in a city that has two natural lakes, so my childhood is full of memories by the water. I spent so many days swimming and going on boat rides with my mother’s side of the family (my grandfather, who I was very close to, owned an idyllic house on a lake). I also love learning about space and the universe – I find it oddly comforting to be reminded that we are small specs in the grand scheme of life. Books is another big source of inspiration. I read often and derive a lot of inspiration from a variety of genres. Some of my favorite books include Monkey Beach by Eden Robinson, I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman, The Vegetarian by Han Kang and Matrescence by Lucy Jones.
You’ve had an impressive education and many accolades. What is an accomplishment you’re most proud of?
My proudest accomplishment was when I created 102 artworks for my first solo exhibition titled Maternal Collections, which was held at WKP Kennedy Gallery in North Bay, Ontario in spring 2023. My most ambitious project to date, Maternal Collections included a range of work from my artistic practice, bringing together a group of collage and mixed media installations that offered commentary on the complex experiences of what it means to “mother” in contemporary society, and samples of my well-known whimsical and playful work. Born from personal reflections of being a relatively new mother during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, my goal was to shed light on and give voice to perspectives that are often isolated and exist in private and invisible spaces. Practicing mothering, in any capacity, is a lived experience that is always fraught with contradictions. The realities that mark our current generation – for instance, the overwhelming presence of conflicting parenting advice and information shared through social media, and the accompanying record-high levels of anxiety – place mothers in an unprecedented era that is increasingly difficult to navigate. The goal of Maternal Collections was twofold: to share raw and honest experiences of mothering, and to help build a much-needed sense of shared and supportive community.
You strive to ensure your work is eco-friendly and non-toxic. What are some of the ways you stick to this ethos?
I visit a lot of thrift stores, yard sales and flea markets! I am always on the hunt for images and they are almost always recycled and reused. I like to think I am breathing new life into materials and imagery that have otherwise been discarded or forgotten. I try to keep my materials simple and non-toxic. My favorite type of adhesive is Elmer’s glue sticks, which is washable and acid free. I am constantly trying to think of new ways to produce less waste. For instance, I recently developed a way to use my paper scraps and off-cuts by making paper paste and using it for sculpture experimentation. Building with paper paste is a long and tedious process but I want to continue to incorporate this kind of approach into my daily practice.
What is a typical day like for you as a full-time artist?
Running an independent art practice and business means that every day spent in the studio is different. I love my work for this reason – it keeps me on my toes and it’s never dull. However, it is a hustle! I have to wear a lot of different hats. I am simultaneously an artist, administrator, educator, marketer and social media lead, among other things. Maintaining a full-time art practice requires constant adaptability and thinking about creative solutions while under pressure. I also try to balance commercial work and fine art, which is a delicate and complex task. But I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
My studio is my safe and calm space that feels special and something that is just for me. I sit by a window and I usually have essential oils diffusing and instrumental music playing. Depending on the type of work I’m doing, I will also listen to the news and audiobooks. I have a large collection of objects I’ve collected from nature (shells, branches, dried flower stems, etc) and a growing resource and inspiration library.
What message or feeling do you hope your work conveys?
I want my work to evoke a sense of calm and stillness in a chaotic world. I also hope to encourage viewers to contemplate the intricacies of nature and our complex relationships with the environment while exploring themes of human connection, motherhood, and womanhood. I often hear from my audience that my work creates a sense of intimacy, inviting viewers into imagined and whimsical worlds that feel special and distinctive.
In addition to your online shop, where can readers find your work?
I currently have some work available at The Ottawa Art Gallery, including one of my favorites from my wreath collage series. The wreaths are larger and more labor-intensive compared to my other work. They are special because they are custom framed and made on beautiful Saint-Armond handmade paper that I purchased in Montreal, QC. I also currently have a handful of work available at The FARM: Fashion Art Retail Market and J2 Gallery + Studio.
What do you have planned next?
My next big adventure is opening a new artist studio – the first outside my home! I am very excited. It is located in Ottawa, ON and I’ll be neighbors with other talented creators in the city. I also worked on an installation for a group show at the City of Ottawa Art Gallery with 44.4 Artist/Mother Collective, of which I am a member. The show is titled Don’t Worry, I’ll Only Show You the Good Parts and it opened in March 2025.
Learn more here.
