What Robin Hood was to archery, Bernard Poulin is to pencils - J C (American Artist)
2022
You have created a marvelous masterpiece! Warmest greetings to Maestro Bernard Poulin from E. B., NYC
2021
I've been looking at these studies as you post them. They are exquisite on not only on the compositional and palette level but also the fleeting countenance that only the most visual acute portraitists are able to express. What a wonderful skill you have! -SC
Vos peintures sont un musée de trésors sans prix. - E. L., Ottawa
Your work always takes my breath away. - V.C., Virginia
Je vous souhaite d'avoir le goût et la capacité de peindre encore et encore. Vos toiles nous permettent de voir la beauté et en même temps de constater la fragilité dans lequel notre monde vit. Encore une fois, merci de partager votre passion. – S. M.,
2020
On peut palper la vie dans toutes tes oeuvres. - M.A. D. - Rockland
Bernard Poulin, Tu nous donnes des joies multiples avec tes mains magiques! Tu ne cesse de me fasciner avec ton talent. -C.L.D., Midland, Ont.
Incroyable! - H. B. H., Moonbeam, Ont
Je ne peux m'empêcher d'être émerveillé par tous ces beaux tableaux. Quel artiste! - J. B., Ottawa
Love it no other words are enough..... oh I do love it. You work always reaches out and touches me. - D. W.,
You capture more heart in a sketch than most painters convey in a finished painting. - M. N. - San Francisco
Gravité. Irrésistible. C’est un chef-d’œuvre. (Blue Boy) - R. C., Québec
2014
The portrait of the Rt Hon. J. Chrétien at Windsor Castle is deemed to be one of the more stunning portraits in HRH's Medal of Merit collection.- Lady J. R., Windsor, UK
2013
The children are beautiful... a living presence portrayed, a youthful playness
Your portraits so capture the essence……and I don't even know who they are!
C and I are beautiful and you really catch their essence. The subtle expressions you capture are awesome!
WOW, the paintings are incredible. The attention to detail is mind boggling.
The two portraits of the little girls are delightful. They capture all the perpetual motion of children at that age. I've never found a child portrait to be convincing, when the child is posed sedately. I also like the fact that your background echoes the busy activity of the child's life. Such vitality. Kudos to you, for your attention to the different skin tones in the two children. They are definitely unique.
What energy & movement!
I especially like I and C because you presented them as strong energetic little people that are joy to see!
Magnifique!
I really can feel the” energy” in the portraits of C and I. The rather loose rendering of the hair and negative space works so well!
I LOVE the paintings. So So real and beautiful.
This is mastery!....
Il me semble que ces toiles sont parmi tes plus belles!
I know the girls and their parents too of course! Paintings are beautiful……
Marvellous, Bernard, magical!
I love I's expression
Very nice work – you continue to amaze.
Your three new portraits are stunning! But as an art teacher for kids, I was instantly drawn to your children's portraits, full or energy, spirit, enthusiasm and joy. Just like kids!
Beautiful!
Exquis! Les deux petites...WOW!
Beautiful work as usual! Love them!
I love C’s wonderful smile and I really like I... The pose and pout pull me in.
Magnifiques tableaux!
Wow!! gorgeous!! congrats!!
Dear Bernard, Thank you once again for sharing your work! It is inspiring to see the vitality of your brushstroke and the masterful capturing of facial expression. Of the three pieces, "I" won my heart with her playful smirk, the lovely skin tones, and muted color scheme. I hope the two little girls' pieces are destined to be displayed together-- they play off each other well, with a sense of movement and the pink/blue combinations.
Magnificent works... I am sure the families of the two young girls are thrilled with your masterful work
Inspirational!
The little girls are fresh and sparkling. You manage to avoid the flat look of a portrait.
Tout à fait extraordinaires!
Love your latest work!
I like the fresh look of the children. Tough to paint kids and make them look their age.
The children are beautiful - there is a certain 'living presence' portrayed; a youthful playfulness. I love your use of colour and the freedom of expression!
Oh my gosh, I love your portraits.
As always, the children in your paintings are three-dimensional people.
Très beaux les enfants!
Love the backgrounds you created for C and I. Also, the low lights in their hair color.
They are beautiful!!!!!!!!!
Les portraits sont superbes!
Your new portraits are lovely, Bernard. The two of the little girls are especially fresh and lively looking, which I imagine reflects their personalities.
The freeness of the little one's hair against the control of the portrait is interesting. You are definitely a Canadian treasure.
2010
Je suis toujours admiratif en découvrant vos nouvelles toiles tout en appréciant votre style et la variété des sujets qui vous inspirent. - LC, Gatineau
2009
We love her! (the portrait) She will be well taken care of here. - CM, Ottawa
2007
I wish I knew how to express myself in describing my reaction to your work. I am consumed by your exquisite talent which goes beyond words. I have cycled Tuscany and The Veneto all the while photographing the countryside on the way through. Your paintings bring back the experience for me in an unbelievable way. Because they are new to my eye, it is a revisitation to familiar surroundings but through a different perspective. You enjoy the Tuscan light as all artists must, but you portray the scene with a marvelous sense of presence and inviting warmth. - SK, Toronto
"I am absolutely overwhelmed by the painting you did of my son. You have done an incredible job of capturing the joy and enthusiasm. . . " - P. A., Edmonton, AB
The portrait of Dame Lois Brown Evans is a master work of portraiture. The subtleties of form and expression you have captured in paint are amazing. - sculptor, Vancouver
These are fantastic. I particularly like the one of Lois Brown…something about her hands. - Designer, Ottawa
Simply awesome!!! - Client, Toronto
Your work is not only amazing but also technically incredible, you are the real thing! You are amongst the best that will be remembered. - Sculptor, Vancouver
You know Bernard one of the greatest moments in ones life is the discovery of magnificence … you truly are a talented, gifted treasure. - Administrator, Ottawa
Simply magnificent. I could study your portraits for hours. They are so rich and nuanced. - Client, San Francisco
How impressive! The subjects of these portraits must indeed be honoured and pleased! - Client, Ottawa
Your paintings are powerful, fresh and inspired! - Associate, Vancouver
The expressions of each of the sitters are warm and alive. The skin tones on the painting of Dame Lois in particular are very soft and beautiful, very sensitive. And the hands are fabulous. - artist, Combermere, Ontario
I’m always impressed by the quality of your paintings. You are certainly blessed. - Client, Irvine, California
Your portrait of Dame Lois Brown Evans, DBE, JP, MP is nothing short of spectacular. I love it. As you know the rich regal classic colours have always grabbed me. This is the stuff of a bygone era. Very posh!
Wonderful. - Associate, Ottawa
Fabulous work! I love your portraits. - Gallery Agent, Vancouver
BEAUTIFUL.....my goodness.....each person so unique in personality......
1-The Headmaster would certainly be a "presence" in any situation. I'm sure his personality is completely different when he is out of his robe and sitting on his own veranda, but your portrait of him lets everyone know that he is "in charge" when he is in his formal position.
2-The Speaker of the House looks like someone you know personally. It shows in his demeanor that he is comfortable with you and the portrait emphasizes his friendly and open personality and his love of country. He looks like someone who would want only his TRUE self to be shown to the public and to represent him in history. He looks to have a great sense of humor too. you must have had a good time with him and remembered the conversations as you painted the portrait.
3-What a special portrait of a wonderful woman. I'm sure you, also, enjoyed the conversations with her during the sitting. Her life history is amazing and you captured an expression that let's everyone know that she is proud of what she has accomplished!!! Her hands, also, tell the story - very relaxed in that seat that is a place of honor to her and others. . . . They have truly been honored in your representation of them, Bernard. You paid them special tribute and they should be so proud to have you as the one who captured them as people of honor and respect - yet allowed their personalities to show through in many ways - some subtle, some not so subtle.. - artist, client, Memphis, Tennessee.
Great work. Wonderful portraits! - Corporate Lawyer, Ottawa
Your latest work is amazing, outstandingly. Bravo! - portrait artist, Ottawa.
I particularly love the painting of Dame Lois Brown Evans, DBE, JP, MP. - portrait artist, Calgary, Alberta
Beautiful portraits! Congratulations... They must give you a sense of satisfaction. - painter, Ottawa
ABSOLUTELY AWESOME! - Corporate President, Ottawa
Fabulous! - Social Worker, Ottawa
Le portrait de Madame Brown Evans est fort impressionnant: la composition, la pose détendue, les traits du visage ainsi que son expression rendent quasiment le sujet réel; on se sent invité à avoir une conversation avec cette dame. Bien que cette femme ait mené une carrière assez imposante jusqu'à présent, il n'en demeure pas moins qu'on peut voir une humilité dans sa personnalité que, je crois, vous avez très bien rendue. Chapeau et Bravo!!!
1999
I wish that you and your wife could have been in our living room on Christmas morning when J and the children came downstairs to see the portrait hanging over the fireplace. There was not a dry eye in the room. J trembled with excitement and it was a very touching and emotional moment for all of us. . . One of J's friends said she"could see J's soul". - John S., Brockville
1994
". . . Everything that you've produced has made me think of one word - wonderful!" - Barbara V., New Jersey