Léo Ayotte was born in the Mauricie region. He went to Montreal, where he found a job as a live model and odd-job man at the "École des Beaux-Arts".  Through his contact with the artists and teachers there, he developed an interest in art.  He had practically no money, so Ayotte developed his talent by listening to the teachers.  He used the paint tubes left behind by the students after the classes and developed a personal method of painting.

However, during a trip to Paris with the artist Pellan Ayotte discovered Realism, and his painting at that point became more colourful.  The artist mainly painted figurative works, and it is the landscapes that are the most striking.  His energetic and vivid brush strokes portray a raw and living reality. He is considered one of our best-known Quebec artists.