Handcrafted wooden sculpture – Decorative mushroom in smoke tree and ash

Sculptor and woodturner Michel Robitaille is widely recognized across Québec for his famous wooden mushrooms—emblematic pieces that combine finesse, humor, and poetry. Trained at the École de sculpture de Saint-Jean-Port-Joli in 1976, he quickly developed a strong sensitivity to woodturning, a discipline that became his artistic signature.

For many years, he ran his own workshop-boutique in Saint-Roch-des-Aulnaies, where he refined his craft and welcomed the public into his creative world. His studio became a place of encounter and exchange, where he explored the living essence of wood—its textures, its movements, and its infinite possibilities. Each piece is born from a dialogue with the material, guided by its unique character and shaped through his attentive gestures.

Throughout his career, Michel Robitaille has participated in numerous artistic events, often creating in duo with other artists, enriching his practice through collaboration. He has also passed on his expertise through coaching, helping to guide and inspire a new generation of sculptors and turners.

Today, although he produces less and no longer operates a public studio, his work continues to shine through its rarity and authenticity. His sculptures, both simple and evocative, embody a precious savoir-faire deeply rooted in the artisanal tradition of Saint-Jean-Port-Joli. At Le Vivoir, we are privileged to present some of his creations—works that stand as enduring testaments to an artist who has shaped, with passion and humility, the language of wood.