The Craftsman
Inspired by a production of the National Film Board titled «Le discours de l'armoire» in which Louis Lebeau, an artisan of Daveluyville reproduces in minute detail an 18th century Quebec armoire, Jacques undertakes in 1983, following studies in cabinet making at an Ottawa community college, the reproduction of antique furniture. From 1987 to 1994 his furniture is marketed though Les antiquités du portage in Hull, Quebec and Ashton Furniture Workshop in Richmond, Ontario. In 1990 and 1991 he displays his furniture at the Traditional Woodworking Exhibition held at the Mill of Kintail historic site. In 1994, he builds in Lanark Township his largest reproduction, a new workshop styled like a building of the 1860’s. From 2000 to 2009 he exhibits at shows in Ottawa. His furniture is currently available at Lanark Village Antiques & Collectibles and Blackwood Originals, both in the village of Lanark.
In a related venture, from 1985 to 1997, he undertakes the historically accurate restoration of a house built on the same site around 1855. The house, which he still occupies, was a feature in 2007 and 2008 of "Doors Open Ontario" presented by the Ontario Heritage Trust and sponsored by The Globe and Mail.
Jacques is constantly furthering his knowledge of period furniture by visiting museums, attending antique shows and important auction sales.