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 Interview with Mario Duguay
“Everyone has the power to create or to destroy. This power must be better known”.
Mario Duguay is a painter whose works attempt to touch the spirituality in all of us. His paintings invite us on a journey within ourselves through the magic of “Imagination”.
André Fortier : What inspired you to paint?
Mario Duguay : I wanted to express myself. I've always wanted to communicate something. At the beginning, my paintings were much less luminous. At that time in my life, I was also going through a dark phase. I was living on the fringes of society in Montreal as a tattoo artist. I was heavily into drugs and alcohol.
A.F. : What caused the great change in your life?
M.D. : I hit the lowest point in my life two weeks before getting married. I fell back into my drug habit. I ended up without a wife, without a job, without any money, and ashamed of facing my family. I felt terribly alone. It was then that I turned toward spirituality. All I had left was the light inside of me. Slowly, I began to work on myself and undergo various therapies. I also began to be interested in all things New Age. This dark period was the best thing that could happen to me. These “hard knocks” are there to make us grow, not to make us complain.
In those days, I painted to exorcise my dark side. But now, I paint to give something to others. This is my mission. My canvasses reflect what I'm going through and my attempt at bringing more Light into my life. I expect that my paintings will be even more luminous in five years' time.
A.F. : Who has been your greatest inspiration?
M.D. : On the technical side, my greatest inspiration has been Salvador Dali. Dali’s surrealistic side inspires me to paint things that do not exist in our material world. However, unlike Dali, I do not paint to provoke but to bring Peace through the use of imaginary forms. Other painters who have inspired me are René Margrit, Thomas Kincaid, Gilbert Williams, and several others.
Another great inspiration has been Nathalie Leroux, who paints the Evah Angels. Her paintings transmit a spirituality which resembles that of Michael Aivanov and Peter Deunov. It was her work that finally gave me the final “push” to face challenges and to make me what I am today. I have since made an effort to apply her teachings to my life.
 A.F. : In many of your paintings, a common theme is the Path and the City of Light beyond. Can you explain what these images mean to you?
M.D. : I try to represent Places of Perfection and Beauty because I want us all to strive for Perfection! My goal is to help the viewer to reach this Beauty, this Peace, and this Light. People should feel that these places are accessible, that through the work, they can attain this Perfection.
The Cities or Castles of Light represent the Goal, the ultimate fulfillment of Self. To get there, there is a Path which represents our interior struggle. Bridges represent the steps or challenges that we face. I think the people intuitively understand these symbolic messages and they eventually begin to realize that they can use them to take control of their lives.
A.F. : How do you go about finding the themes of your paintings?
M.D. : First, I ask myself the following question: what can I bring to people? For example, I might feel that I have to speak of Wisdom, of “letting go”, and so on. Then I try to imagine how I can communicate this idea on canvas. Inspiration usually comes to me in a flash. If it doesn't, I turn to meditation to make things clearer. I normally meditate every day of the week.
Then, I work on my Goal. It's easy to paint for myself, to make money, and so on. I myself have fallen into this trap in the past. On the other hand, we can paint with the Goal of bringing this energy to the world. I usually write my Goal down. For example, next to this painting, I have written: “I ask the Divine to fill me, to inspire me, to transmit the images that will bring humanity to God”.
Then I begin to paint using the techniques that I've developed, all the while listening to my heart. For example, I ask myself what color should be used in such and such a part of the painting. Often, I feel there's something missing and I listen to my inner voice to find out what it is.
A.F. : You seem best known for your “Message of Light” Tarot cards. Can you talk a bit more about this?
M.D. : These Tarot cards are what have made me better known today. I wanted to find a way to make my paintings available to everyone, not only to the owner of the painting. I wanted others to be able to hear the universal messages that I put on canvas. The Tarot idea came quite naturally. I then invested everything I had in the world to have 2000 sets printed. I expected that this quantity would last about two years, but they sold out within two months! After years of living in poverty, I was finally able to make a living from my work. My works are now available throughout Canada, the United States, and Europe.
A.F. : Do you write your texts?
M.D. : At the beginning, I didn't write anything but one day I was in a position where I had no choice. My initial efforts weren’t perfect but over time I learned a lot . Much to my own surprise, I finally was able to write the text for the 54 cards which make up the Tarot pack.
Many people tell me that they use this tool every day. Even therapists have told me that they use my product in their therapy sessions. My Tarot packs are simple to use and allow us to tap into our inner spiritual energy every day.
I am presently working on another pack which will be called “Messages of Life”.
 A.F. : Who uses your work?
M.D. : Almost 80% women! Women are more receptive, more intuitive, and have an open heart. Men also use the cards but these are generally men who have developed their feminine side. Unlike women, men are still more interested in the material side of things. I am aware that I, like many other male artists, have a very well-developed feminine side.
Normally, these are people who are also interested in the New Age and in personal growth. But I have also noticed that many people who are not into New Age spirituality are often touched by the images and text. These are often people who reject religion and spirituality, or have a great fear of such things.
A.F. : We are told that we must cross many bridges and experience many stages in our lives. What are the bridges and stages which are left in the life of Mario Duguay?
M.D. : I still have to face my fears! I'm still afraid of running out of time and being unable to finish my projects. This is the greatest challenge in my life and I believe it comes from my mother. Before I was born, she lost a child. During my early years, I was imbued by this the fear of not being able to finish what I started. Today my works are my children…
I hope to grow and to feel freer and happier by overcoming my interior challenges. I am now well-known but that is not what I want. What's most important is that people recognize the paintings and not the painter. I do give conferences but I keep them simple. I notice it’s the simplicity that reaches people. I am certainly not an intellectual and I've read very little in my life. I listen more to my heart and learn from my experience.
A.F. : What is your greatest wish for Humanity in the coming years?
M.D. : I hope that people begin to be aware of their creative powers. We all have the power to create and to destroy. I believe that this awareness, which can be positive or negative, could change the world in a profound way.
A.F. : Thank you, Mario Duguay, for this interview.
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