Martin Blanchet originates from Saint-Émile-de-Suffolk, in the Outaouais region. He studied graphic arts at Algonquin College in Ottawa before turning to painting. Self-taught at first, he developed his skills with artists such as Louis Boekhout and Louis Robichaud. Like a true poet of nature, he finds his inspiration in urban life as well as in nature of both the Laurentians and the region where he was born. ''Some painters are well known for their reproduction talent or for their colour schemes,'' he asserts. '' For my part, I play a lot with atmosphere; I want people to immediately feel elsewhere when looking at my painting.''