document.write("<img src='https://blog.itscactus.com/images/artists/IMGP5387.JPG' alt='Winzor Gouin' class='artist_bio'/>");
document.write("<h3><strong>Winzor Gouin</strong></h3>");
document.write("<p>Winzor Gouin has achieved acclaim and great success with his chosen profession as an artist. Born in 1970 in the Port-au-Prince suburb of  Petion-Ville, he began his training with the encouragement of his mother, who introduced him to Hubert Bernard.  Bernard took him on as an apprentice.  It was an eye-opening experience for the teenager.  Winzor remembers, “In the beginning, it was not easy because you hammer in using a chisel in your hand and you are between the anvil and the hammer.  It is very dangerous work, but the main thing is to learn it.  I knew it was necessary because I saw in advance that I could earn my life through it.  I spent a great number of time learning in Hubert Bernard’s shop.”</p><p>A dedicated student of both metal craft and academics, Winzor continued to go to school while training in the workshop.  He realized early on that learning English would help him to build his reputation and ply his trade on an international level.  And so it did.  When he began working with Casey Riddell of It's Cactus,, he was ahead of the game, both in terms of his skill and because of the ease of communication.  Says Casey, “He is great to work with because he is so creative and we can brainstorm on designs together.  I can place an order and know that he’s got a clear idea of what we want.  It’s a luxury to be able to communicate on this level with him.”</p><p>In turn, Winzor appreciates the opportunities that his partnership with It's Cactus has given him. “In the past time, I would exhibit my work with other artists in a shop, but with the coming of Casey, there is great improvement in the dealing of metal sculpture. She works very hard to improve the artists’ situations and help them survive.  Every time we get orders, we can help ourselves to earn our life.”</p><p>In 2008, Winzor received sponsorship from It's Cactus to participate in the Santa Fe International Art Market.  He recalls, “It was a great experience for me.  I had a dream to leave Haiti and show my work in a foreign country one day.  I always work hard and I want to be a famous artist.  This makes a good step in that way. I met so many people and they liked my work. It was a very exciting time that I feel so grateful to be able to do it.” </p>");
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