About Rene Petitjean

Rene Paul Petitjean was born in Pickering, Ontario and has been working in the arts since 1972 as a potter, blacksmith, metal artist and teacher/mentor.  Petitjean’s craftsmanship has been displayed and sold in galleries from coast to coast in Canada and the United States.

Working as a studio potter for 25 years, Petitjean produced work for stores and galleries across North America, while receiving a host of commissions from major corporations such as Ontario Hydro and Imperial Oil, the three major Ontario political parties and many private individuals. Today his work can be found in public and private collections across North America.

In recent years Petitjean’s focus has turned to blacksmithing and contemporary metal design and sculpture. Although seemingly very different mediums, Petitjean describes clay and metal as “fluid materials which can both be altered by squeezing, compressing or stretching.”

Petitjean has taught at a number of art schools and colleges, including Georgian College and the Haliburton Schools for the Arts, since 1975. He considers teaching to be a critical component of his own development as an artist and takes great pride in the number of his students who have embarked on successful artistic careers.

Rene Petitjean currently works in his studio in Creemore, Ontario, where he and his team produce one-of-a-kind commissioned metalwork for architects, designers and individuals. These projects combine modern design, traditional forging techniques and experienced craftsmanship to create custom pieces of beauty and elegance.