Victoriaville-born artist David Martel has been painting Blue Angels around the world for 30 years and his rock art has been exhibited on 4 of the 7 Wonders of the World and at over 300 art events.
4 years ago, the artist inherited the marbles of the 2nd tomb of Mother Marie Léonie Paradis under the care of the Little Sisters of the Holy Family following her body was moved to the Saint-Michel Cathedral in Sherbrooke in 2017. She was beatified on September 11, 1984 by Pope John Paul II.
Inspired by the visit of Pope Francis to Quebec, artist David Martel decided to paint one of the travertine marble pieces from Mother Léonie’s oratory with the participation of the public in the Quartier Petit-Champlain in the heart of Old Quebec.
The artist would like to have this marble blessed when the Pope comes. He explains, “Mother Léonie is important to me because she saved my friend Yves Bourassa from two near-death events: lightning and the train explosion in Lac Mégantic. For me, she is already a saint”.
It should be noted that David painted an angel on stone in Panama, during the visit of Pope Francis during World Youth Days in January 2019. In 2013-2014, David created the cornerstone of the reconstruction of Lac- Mégantic, a work now installed at the Musi-Café and which has been co-signed by more than 1,100 people. In 2015, at the request of Bishop Cyprien Lacroix, this work of the Archangel of Lac-Mégantic passed through the holy door of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Quebec with the participation of Canadian veterans.
This Wednesday and Thursday, July 20 and 21, the artist will paint Mother Léonie’s stone in front of the public in her modest studio located at 77 rue Petit-Champlain in Quebec City between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
