A prolific painter who loved exploring layers of colour and light, David Bolduc was a voracious reader, traveller, jazz and blues enthusiast, avid naturalist, history buff, film aficionado and collaborator. He would rather paint, hike, watch the ocean, swap stories with the locals, listen to Miles, discuss literature, enjoy Preston Sturges movies or go fishing than talk about art—but he would always take the time to show his erudition when anyone asked. And they always did.
Depending on the location (Bolduc enjoyed spending summers near Pouch Cove, Newfoundland) a day with David could include a trip to a whale-watching destination, a visit to an orchid farm, a walk on the beach, a martini at sunset, and whenever possible, a movie. He and his wife of 20 years, Blaise DeLong, shared deep affection for such classics as The Lady Eve, Sullivan’s Travels and The Thin Man, and took great pleasure in rewatching favourites and finding new ones.
Give him India—again and again. With the iPod his kids had filled with favourite music, he’d brave his least preferred mode of travel and fly. Along with continual explorations throughout India, David would always give his time and support to the World Literacy Canada office in Varanasi, for which he helped raise funds and awareness over many years. He’d return with his mind saturated with colours and ideas and bits and pieces to incorporate into his work.The son of Eugenie and the late Bernard Bolduc, David spent his childhood in libraries, movie theatres and the Royal Ontario Museum as well as on many family road trips—he grew to love books, film and nature as much as travelling.
Many of David’s friends tell stories of his influence and how he took the time to share his knowledge, enthusiasm and inspiration. From music and books to business, real estate and everything in between, he was knowledgeable and articulate—he motivated loved ones to experience and achieve more, just as he did every day.
Recovering from emergency surgery in Newfoundland last fall, David, always the optimist, was pleased and somewhat amused to field calls from galleries across the country wanting to show his work. “They all think I’m dying,” he said wryly, with a wicked smile that said, “We’ll show them.”
In a way, he did, with a final, triumphant show, “Days and Nights in the Forest,” at Christopher Cutts Gallery in Toronto this past February. The joyful, elegant spirit of these paintings capped a four-decade body of work that will always brighten our lives.
Sheila Mudrick is a Toronto-based writer.
