Hélène Desputeaux’s path takes two different routes which, though distinct, have made artistic creation and teaching converge. And it is children, very young children, who are at the center of these two disciplines! Since 1975, Hélène Desputeaux has explored color, pictures and the day to day lives of children: whether in her workshop or in her classroom, she worked “in the field” with and for children. That is how and why for Hélène Desputeaux, the actual creation of art and teaching are but one thing. That is also how and why Hélène Desputeaux created, freely and passionately more than one hundred children’s books since 1983. She developed her colourful, special and lovable little world.

In her string of characters, we find baby Caillou illustrated by Hélène Desputeaux between 1989 and 1995, before she was pulled into far too long proceedings, because of which she almost lost control of her artwork. For more than 30 years, Hélène Desputeaux’s colourful little world has been exhibited, nominated and prized; Hélène Desputeaux was interviewed, critiqued and received distinctions time and time again, here in Quebec and all over the world! Despite her success and recognition, between 1997 and 2006, Hélène Desputeaux created very few illustrations. Unfortunately, because of never-ending legal hearings concerning her baby Caillou, she was compelled to temporarily abandon her work of creating children books. During this long pause, Hélène Desputeaux went back to teaching and reunited with those she always destined her work to: children.

And that is how and why Hélène Desputeaux is now back, prouder, freer and more passionate than ever, with her colourful little world, her baby Caillou and her production house!

Hélène Desputeaux is a bachelor of visual arts (B.A.V.) (Laval University, 1981) and bachelor of education (B.Ed.) (University of Quebec at Montréal, 1984). She completed one year of a master’s degree in Science education, pre-school and elementary education (University of Quebec at Montréal, 1985). Hélène Desputeaux also has a long and excellent musical training (Canadian Music competitions fellow and prize (piano) from 1969 to 1972).