The team behind KAMA PIGMENTS

Vincent Deshaies
Owner

In 1994, he completed a college diploma in fine arts with honours. Subsequently, he undertook training under the guidance of Terrance DePietro where he learned traditional techniques and uses of pigments. He then moved to Montreal and started a business that offers an alternative for artists when buying their materials: Kama pigments.

At the same time, he studied science and kept on painting by making his own paints, mediums and varnishes.

In the recent years, Vincent Deshaies has focused in Research and Development, particularly in expanding the line of extra fine oil paint. Both a devoted father and formidable marathoner, Vincent Deshaies believes in a business model where honesty and generosity are rewarded with customer’s loyalty.

Marie-Christine Dufresne
Store Manager

In 2001, while studying at Concordia University to obtain a BFA in Visual Arts, Marie-Christine Dufresne joined Vincent Deshaies at Kama Pigments. Her skills and loyalty quickly made her an invaluable asset, and was therefore given the post of manager.

She now oversees all activities from the Montreal store in addition to meeting answering the most complicated questions from clients.

Passionate about Baroque art and Deutsch painters, Marie-Christine Dufresne knows more than anyone on traditional materials for artists, from gold leafing to egg tempera.

Celine Lapointe
Customer service

Within the company since 2007, Celine holds a BFA from Concordia University.

After working in the production of materials for artists, she is familiar with all Kama Pigments products.

Being herself a painter, she is able to assist and advise clients when purchasing of artists, materials.

David Bellemarre
Production manager

David's rigor and curiosity made him the ideal employee to attend Vincent Deshaies in the production of materials for artists at the warehouse. He became production manager in February 2011 and now handles most aspects of production and some of the products research.

He is currently studying to obtain a BFA in Visual Arts at Concordia University.

rachel bélanger
customer service

Rachel Bélanger graduated in 2007 from the Université du Québec à Montréal in visual and media arts. There she mainly explored mixed media drawing, painting and printing techniques and during her studies she also had an opportunity to travel to the south of France where she learned many new techniques which changed her artistic practice.

Newly arrived in the Kama pigments team, she is both an excellent listener and a scrupulous worker.

pierre-luc lesvesque
customer service / production

Since finishing his degree in arts at the Cegep du Vieux Montreal, Pierre-Luc worked at the gallery Expressionart where he was helping prepare exhibitions. He was also an exhibiting artist of this gallery. Now at Kama Pigment, he yearns to learn a better understanding of artists’ materials and paint

His biggest dream is to win the Stanley cup with the Montreal Canadian or cook as well as his mother.

Daiki Iriyama
information technologies

Daiki Iriyama is a Japanese man who speaks excellent French since he has been living in Montreal since 2002. After a curious meeting, he starts working at Kama by translating Kama pigments’ Japanese website (www.kamapigment.jp) and, in 2012, he his hired to work as an Information technology (I.t.) technician.

Even though he is a computer expert, he also has affinities for visual arts (a rare combination) he experienced drawing, oil painting and watercolor painting. His hobbies are: video games development, drum, extreme sports, etc.

Émile Brunet
customer service

Former student at the Cégep du Vieux-Montréal and presently student at the faculty of fine arts at Concordia University, Émile specializes in painting and illustration. Young and curious, he will be happy to help shed light on any artist’s material mysteries you might have and to always learn more about the artist’s craft.

After a few first months of intensive production, he became expert in the art of tubing Kama handmade oil paints, he is now working in the store to help KAMA customers and satisfy his quench for knowledge.

julie ray
customer service

Julie has graduated form the University of Sherbrooke in visual arts. She is passionate about the visual domain, especially illustration of children’s books. During the summer of 2011, Julie realized a great dream of hers: she followed an illustration class at the college Salette de Montréal.

Since the end of her studies, Julie spends her days drawing, painting and gathering her best ideas to publish her very first children book.