Burrell Frank

Article by Roxanne Delage
Seaway News January 22, 2015

Ever since he was a child, local multi-media artist, Frank Burelle's quest has been to feed his voracious appetite to create.

"As kids, we all draw;' said Burelle. "I just never stopped." "Whenever you draw as an adult, it is part of childhood that survived growing up;' he said. "that's the way I see it; I just never stopped. Everybody should have a creative output, any-thing, it balances people off:'

Although it would seem that he was born with a sketch pad and pencil in his hands, Burelle remembers the defining moment, in grade seven, that spurred him on to go beyond simple doodling, and to take his art more seriously.

"These guys had a comic book club, I thought it was really cool and I asked if I could join." he said. 'They said, 'let's see what you can do; so I went home and produced the best stuff I ever had, and the 'boss' of the club said that It was garbage and that I couldn't (join). I was so upset. So I went home and I just started drawing non-stop:'

"I never bothered with them, again; I didn't want to be in their club:' he adds, with a laugh. "None of them draw anymore, I don't think."

In high school, Burelle said that he took as many art classes as possible, and praised some of his teachers who saw his potential and focus. "Some teachers let me submit illustrated
reports, as long as my illustrations were historically or scientifically accurate. I love them for that." Not all. teachers were as supportive, said Burelle, who admits that he wasn't a great student. He remembers being told by his guidance counsellor that he was wasting his time with art, and that he should go into plumbing or carpentry.

"When you see" a passion in someone, you don't suppress it, or try to drive it out of them:'
"I never stopped trying;' said Burelle would eventually go on to study animation, and has
spent the past 20 years practicing and teaching art in various capacities.

Primarily a cartoonist and illustrator, the father of two has dabbled in many art forms, including sculpting, toy making, music and filmmaking Burelle is one of the Fishrizzo Production team which produced a-series of documentaries on the Lost Villages, and others.

He is currently in the middle of his 100 Portrait Project, inspired by the photography of Yousuf Karsh, as well as working on a graphic novel, an online puppet show and teaching art through-

Described as a Renaissance Man, by a friend, Burelle is resigned to fact that he is "addicted to creating ... I can't stop." For a sample of Burelle's work and further-
information, visit www.frankburelle.ca.