Jean Claude Roy was born in Rochefort sur Mer, France, in 1948. Committed to becoming an artist since childhood, he first came in Newfoundland as a sailor with the French merchant marine at the age of 17. After living in Newfoundland for a number of years and taking Canadian citizenship, he now divides his time between France and Newfoundland. Entirely self-taught, he described his style as expressionist-colourist. His works can be found in public and private collections in the United States, Canada and Europe.