Mike Esquega

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48in x 36in oil painting of my friend Mike Esquega.  This is one panel out of 3 which will come together to form one larger painting.

Bernadette A Michon

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This painting of my sister, who passed away Aug 2020 is done in oil and measures 2ft by 3ft.  I do have mixed feelings about it as it was to commemorate her strength and resilience in the face of illness and while that part has not changed, we all had high hopes for Bernie.  I kept promising that I would paint her and am glad she was able to see me keep that promise.  

The picture originally started as a double portrait and there is actually a full portrait of my mother to the top left of Bernie's head.  She was there to be with Bernie in her time of need.  If you look closely you can see the outline of my mom's head.  My mother passed away almost a year prior to Bernie.  I was just not having the easiest time painting my mom, so for whatever reason I painted over her.  At the time I thought ok, she is still there with Bernie and even though she could not be seen now, her spirit is still with her.   

Here is a promo video of my Indigenous themed paintings

Howard Stern

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Second in my attempt at celebrity paintings. Unlike my previous one, I did not want to go too refined. I wanted to keep things loose and quick. Howard Stern, personified anything but refined. When I first became aware of him in the 80's I really was not a fan and never took the time to understand his humour. However I started listening to him on my drive to work from Toronto to Brampton in 2001 and I was hooked from there. I followed him to satellite and continue to this day to look forward to his interviews and mostly the staff storylines and the wack pack. My tribute to Howard Stern.

Oh yes, this is painted on a full sheet of 22in by 30in watercolour, painted with Watercolour, Acrylic and Casein.

Celine

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Here is an oil painting based on the career of Celine Dion.  It measures 2ft x 3ft.  The concept was to show Celine in various stages of her career by merging various sections of images from her past up to present day.  I wanted to create a portrait that was far from traditional, while still being able to keep a likeness.  

As well, since parts of images were used to base this painting off of and in keeping with Fair Use Guidelines, this work does not directly copy any full work of photographed material. The intent was to comment on said subject matter in hopes of documenting a long career by creating a new artwork whose concept is entirely my own thus eliminating any confusion as to the creator of the work.

Starlight

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Here is my latest painting called Starlight.  It measures 30in by 40in and is done in oil paints.  While some may understand the reference, this is by no means a direct depiction of any actual events but rather a reply to the practice of law enforcement abandoning most often inebriated indigenous men outside, beyond city limits, in the cold of winter, often with tragic endings.  By no means is this anti-police, but rather anti-racism. I wanted only to put a human aspect to this.  No one deserves such treatment regardless of their addictions and ethnicity.  Someone's brother, someone's dad, someone's son, someone's friend died senselessly.  No matter what the circumstance, someone's lack of humanity resulted in sorrow for many people.  If this has happened to non-indigenous, this too is for you and your loved ones.  Again, this is not anti-police.  The majority of officers are putting their lives on the line for you and I.  That I admire and respect.   If you'd like to know more, just google Starlight Tours. 

Kenogamisis Raven - Acrylic 2ft x 3ft

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This past summer we went exploring around town and ended up at Kenogamisis Lake in Geraldton, Ontario.  I had a lof fun painting this but the water really tested my patience, which is what attracted me to doing this painting in the first place.  It started off only as a landscape but was suggested by a good friend (Shirley) that I should add the raven and from that point there was no turning back.

A Moment of Clarity

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Here is a 36" x 48 oil painting titled "A Moment of Clarity".  It depicts a journey I went through with my mother, and while I have the absolute most wonderful memories of our last several years together, in the end we fought a batte together that finally overcame our efforts.  My mother passed with mixed Dementia of which I believe Lewy Body was the main culprit.  She lived a long and good life, always putting her best foot forward despite any hardship she may have endured.  She kept her faith while I struggled to make sense of it all and she provided the ideal path for me to follow.  

I began this painting while my mother was still with us and while she didnt seem to take much interest in it, when she did ask what I was painting I told her it was a picture of her  She responded with an "oh no" but when I told her I was in it as well, she was ok with it.  She didn't really like me painting her so much but she became my best subject/model. 

Art Skead

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Here is an Acrylic/Casein painting I've just finished of a dancer named Arthur Skead. It measures 4ft across by 5ft high. I met Arthur two years ago at the Lake Helen Pow wow. I asked him if he would pose for a painting, which he agreed to however when I viewed the photo reference I was dismayed at the lack of clarity and detail, as the photo was done real quick and under less than optimal conditions. I was happy to discover i had captured him in all his spirit and conviction dancing which certainly made for a better painting

Victor Chapais

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Here is a painting of Victor Chapais. The painting is done in acrylic on canvas. It measures 2ft across by 4ft high.

I’ve seen Victor dance the last few years that I’ve been attending local Gatherings/Pow Wow’s. I’ve also become aware of his generosity in terms of his leadership qualities and willingness to share his knowledge.

When viewing the dancers, I often imagine them bravely working through their trials and tribulations, while at the same time giving themselves to the Creator. The conviction in doing so allows one to break though the mist and see things with clarity

I call the painting - Dancing with Clarity

Dancing with Spirits

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Acrylic Painting measuring 4ft by 5ft based off my Nephew's half brother Munzeroy, a very good dancer. Sometimes these dancers seem to be propelled by spirits unseen which is my interpretation of that which we cannot see. I call it Dancing with Spirits.

Fancyman

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I finished this painting prior to Christmas 2018.  The painting is called Fancyman, which happens to be the name commonly associated with this dancer.  His real name is Francis Goodchild.  I wanted to keep the painting in the same vein as my previous paintings which incorporates a colourful, abstract background with my portraits.  The painting measures 2ft by 3ft and is done in acrylic on canvas.

My Mother's Past

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Here is a painting done in Casein and Oil and measures 24in by 18in. My mother views her past fondly despite the events of her past which led her to be raised in the Canadian Residential School system. To this day she still dreams of the activities and games she partook in.

Native Woman Nobility

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Here is a painting done in Acrylic and Measures 24in by 36in. I wanted to show the Nobility that resides in us all. I often think the crows and ravens do their best to offer us guidance, but more often than not we tend to ignore the seemingly mundane things life has to offer.

Gaagii Nimin Ikwe. (Everlasting Woman Dancer)

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Here is a painting of a long time friend of mine Cathy Fobister. I've known her ever since grade school at B.A. Parker. I'm always looking for strong people to paint, people who put themselves out there for the good of others and I think Cathy exemplifies these qualities. I asked her to pose for me when I seen her in Geraldton on Aboriginal Day. She has not seen this so I hope when she does she likes it. The painting itself measures 2ft across by 4ft high and is acrylic on canvas.

Spirit of Dance #5

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Here is another painting in my Spirit of Dance series (number 5) in which I attempt to employ a very loose and quickly executed approach.  The primal feel taken by the dancers is hopefully what I convey in my work when attempting to portray the nobility and courage of the dancers.  

The Painting measures 24in by 36in and is Acrylic on canvas.

Along Highway 11

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A watercolour of some real estate along highway 11. Maybe some will recognize it. (here's a hint - it's located between Geraldton and Toronto) It was done fairly quickly to try to keep it fresh and looking like a watercolour. It is done on a full sheet and measures 30in by 22in.

Sarah

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Here is my painting called "Sarah". It measures 24in x 18in and is oil on Canvas.

She is the daughter of my very good friend Shirley. I painted this to call attention to individuals who occasionally come up against certain aspects of life that inhibit personal growth. This could have easily been me in this picture, however I thought I've done enough self portraits.

I wanted to add a few indigenous teachings into the painting. 

The Thunderbird is our messenger to the creator and is able to burn away all that is dead, giving way to new beginnings. The smoke is then able to heal our inner soul.

Anyways, this is my tribute to Sarah. She's a smart and talented young lady with good taste in music who I know will be prosperous in life.

The Hidden Voice.

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Here is a painting I was commissioned to do by Greenstone Victim Services in Geraldton ON. They in turn presented it to Diane Redsky, a Governor General's Award winner, who was in Geraldton March 27th, 2017 facilitating a discussion on Human Trafficking, mainly dealing with at risk girls and women who are being targeted for the sex trade.

The painting i did is called "The Hidden Voice" It is done in Acrylic and measures 16in by 20in.

The intent of the painting was to give a voice

to the past and present women and girls who

have gone missing and will never have a voice.

The young girl's shadow is depicted by a

native woman painted in the Woodland style

of art.  It is a reminder of where we came

from and who we are.  The raven in the

background, often seen as a trickster

can show us the truth if we care to

look into our often troubled hearts and

face ourselves. 

Harold Tookenay #2

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Here is a painting of Harold Tookenay done entirely in Casein and painted on canvas. It measures 36in by 48in. Would like to thank Harold for being such a good subject for painting. A fitting profile of an individual who I'm sure possesses a vast amount of knowledge and experience.