Carol-Anne Pedneault
Interview & Photography / Catherine Bernier
There are artists whose work feels inseparable from the land that shaped them. Carol-Anne is one of them. Born and rooted on L’Isle-aux-Coudres, a small island in the Quebec province, where generations of her family lived before her, Carol-Anne’s creative language is deeply entwined with water, cycles, slowness, and resilience. She is also the owner of La Fabrique de l’Isle, a café-boutique-gallery that reflects her commitment to creativity, community, and arts.
During her time at The Parcelles in Seaforth, Carol-Anne came to reconnect—with place, with rhythm, and with her practice—immersing herself in the coastal landscape while advancing a deeply personal project. Between dawn walks, ocean storms, quiet afternoons of focused creation, and evenings by the wood stove, her residency unfolded as both a creative retreat and a moment of healing.
We sat down with Carol-Anne to talk about her journey, her practice, and how this time by the Atlantic shaped what comes next.
Tell us about you and your practice.
I live on the small island where I was born, like my lineage of ten generations before me. I feel so lucky to collect inspiration from nature and the river that surrounds me.
I create digital illustrations that resemble collages, composed of drawings, textures, and photographs. My raw material is the beauty that fills me with wonder. It’s like a poem writing itself through the process—a way to connect with myself as part of nature.
How does your cultural background or personal story shape your practice?
I’m the daughter of a ferry captain and the great-granddaughter of a lighthouse keeper. Both were connected to the sea, but also deeply grounded.
Growing up on a small island with so much history and family roots has certainly defined my creativity. The territory and the beauty of wildness brought me resilience, comfort, and slowness. That’s what I hope to share through my art.
What were your intentions for the residency and how did it go?
I had gone through a couple of very hard years. I became the caregiver of my dear soulmate, with whom I was for 27 years. When he passed away in 2023, I lost my creativity for a while. Healing and grieving take time, and that was okay—but I felt lost in many ways.
This residency felt like the perfect momentum to return to myself: to explore, be adventurous, and provoke things. I had visited Nova Scotia the year before, and it felt just like home—but with broader horizons. I was craving strong winds and massive ocean waves, and I was not deceived at all.
I came to work on a project dear to my heart: an illustrated oracle deck called Our Tides, which speaks to challenges, resilience, emotions, cycles, and connection—all inspired by island living and how it taught me to surrender and find comfort. Everything comes and goes, like the tides.
The first few days, I walked the territory, filled with gratitude, taking photos and gathering inspiration. It flowed easily into my illustrations. I think you can recognize elements from both my island and this place.
Can you describe a typical day during your residency?
I woke up at dawn, slowly making coffee—an art in itself at the cabin—and journaling before heading outside for a walk or simply sitting on the deck, connecting with the sunrise.
Throughout the day, there were many photos, sketches, and notes. My most productive creative time was in the afternoon, before happy hour. Evenings were spent quietly preparing food and reading by the wood stove.
How has the landscape or atmosphere of Seaforth influenced your creative process?
I ended up completing more than two-thirds of my oracle deck during the residency, all while having the best escape possible.
I absolutely loved the surfer vibe. Watching them ride massive November waves, immersing myself in that lifestyle, collecting shells and rocks like treasures, witnessing sunsets and sunrises over the ocean, breathing salty air, discovering Fisherman’s Reserve, and feeling the kindness of locals—it was all incredibly inspiring.
“One morning, alone by the ocean, with rain and wind so intense I could barely stand still—I felt that nothing was beyond my reach. In that moment, the world truly felt like my oyster.”
- Carol-Anne
What has challenged you most during this residency?
Knowing you only have a week, and so much you wish to accomplish. But the rhythm of the place helped me stay present and make the most of it.
How do you see art as a bridge between people, cultures, or generations?
I think we need to rely on each other more and inspire one another. It feels magical that the intention an artist or writer embeds in a piece becomes available to whoever is ready to receive it, in their own time.
It’s a way of passing on experiences without having lived them ourselves. That’s why I believe it’s important to choose carefully what we bring into our homes and environments. I enjoy creating positive, hopeful works—so people can connect with them when they need to.
Have you found inspiration in conversations or encounters with locals?
Everyone I met was so kind—the girl at the coffee shop, the ceramist, the guy at the surf shop, the waiter who served us the best oysters in town.
Spending time with Catherine was also really meaningful. She’s warm and easy to talk to, and I felt inspired by her vision, her story, and the lifestyle she’s created for her family.
Has this residency shifted something in the way you see your own practice or future projects?
Being anchored for several days in a different coastal landscape, with a clear creative goal, feels incredibly nourishing for me. I hope to travel, create, and connect in coastal places more in the years to come.
I have a dream of exploring Nordic islands, and this residency definitely moved that dream higher on my list.
What’s a small, personal memory from your time here that you’ll bring back home with you?
One morning, alone by the ocean, with rain and wind so intense I could barely stand still—I felt that nothing was beyond my reach. In that moment, the world truly felt like my oyster.
What role do you think residencies like The Parcelles play in supporting artists today?
They are so deeply needed. Making a space like this available for artists is incredibly generous. We feel so lucky to connect with this land and place.
Can I come back?
Carol-Anne’s time at The Parcelles was marked by attention and generosity. Through long walks along the coast, hours of focused creation, and a deep engagement with the surrounding landscape, she left behind more than completed illustrations. Her presence reminded us of the importance of slowing down, listening to place, and allowing creative work to unfold with care.
Follow Carol-Anne Pedneault / @carococo.illustrations
Portraits by Catherine Bernier / @cath.be
