Mask Artist Feature – David Leroux

I have been familiar with David Leroux’s work since he contacted me about being included with the inGoal Magazine Directory of Mask Artists. Recently though as I was looking for a few shots for an article I stumbled on this great shot of a mask that turned out to be one of David’s great creations. I contacted him to see if he would care to share some of his art with us.

This promo shot of David at work looks like it could be on the wall in the studio of aspiring young artists. As if it didn’t already allude to a priest celebrating at the altar, the “Jesus Price” shirt really makes the shot. Fantastic.

David told us a bit about his background. Like many a young Quebecer, David grew up a hockey player – one with enough talent to make all the way to Major Junior. Many mask artists of course got their start in goal, but David was designing for his teammates in the net.

“I passed my childhood drawing and playing hockey. When I didn’t have a pencil in my hands I had a hockey stick and vice-versa. The goaltenders on the teams in which I was playing were all aware of my talent in design. Each time they would buy a new helmet, they would ask me to sketch the design for their next paint job.

This continued throughout my whole childhood into Midget AAA all the way to junior majors. After two years in the junior majors of Quebec playing for the Cataractes de Shawinigan, a huge injury to my ankle made me reflect on my future as a hockey player and that’s where everything started. Being an admirer of graffiti, I decided to buy myself an airbrush kit.

I then began to not only be the artist who drew the piece of art, but I was also the one painting them. Business was growing slowly, which brought me to painting motorcycles, guitars, snowmobiles and murals, basically everything that can be painted. I continue every day learning in which to me is the best job in the world.”

I have met a number of outstanding mask artists but David’s work really stands out for me for its technical and artistic mastery. Take, for example, his joker-themed design. Lots of artists have taken on the joker in their work but this really is the finest I have seen – photorealism at its best.

Check out more of David’s great work in this gallery – just click on an image to see it full-sized.

Check out the gallery of David’s art and then drop by his site for a look. Don’t let the all-French site scare you off – David is working on a translation, but can be easily contacted by e-mail as well by this link.

If you’ve got a mask that needs some world-class art, David just might be your artist.

Thank you David for sharing a bit of your work with inGoal Magazine readers.

All images courtesy of, and copyright by David Leroux, All Rights Reserved.