I was recently interviewed by a Native Art Magazine and was asked some dynamic questions about my motivation, influences and inspirations.
How old were you when your interest in art began? Eventhough I was not exposed to much art as a child I was deeply intrigued with patterns in nature, like the spider webs and the designs on leaves and the textures on trees. I also would look at the totem poles in and around Vancouver and would try and copy the designs. In school somehow I go the idea I could not paint or be an artist and left the creations to mostly craft type things. Then in the mid eighties the Head Nurse I worked for invited me to visit the art school she attended. Next thing I know I am painting copies of Leonardo da Vinci.
What inspires you to create the images that you create? I think deep emotion inspires my work. Like a feeling inside that I can not express verbally comes out in my paintings.
Who was influential in your work? My oil paintings are much influenced by the old master painters of europe and my old teacher teacher Atalier Sandor Meszaros. Eugene Hunt encourged me to try my own drum designs and showed me how to actually paint on a drum. I had a unique experience with Norvol Morriseau where he talked to me about creating Ojibwe art. Visionary Artist Bruce Harman out of Santa Cruz California gives me encouragement and has shown me his techniques. Then there are muses. I am fortunate to have had a few, a nurse coworker, a boyfriend and a photographer friend.
What event would you say was a turning point for you with regards to your art? I have always used art to de stress from life's challenges. It was the art that brought sanity back into my world. The biggest turning point in my art was when my whole world came crashing down.
Can you tell me about a piece that you created that is very meaningful to you and why? Most of my paintings come from a life story. For example "Car Wash" comes from my near dealth experience and dancing from life comes from the joy of relationship. The water goddess now known as "The Lady of All Nations" has a great story.
As I painted the Lady of All Nations, which came from a vision. The vision occurred just prior to the start of the Vancouver Olympics. I was sitting on a bench at Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver looking at the City accross the inlet and I saw this figure rise out of the water. I took out a very large canvas and started painting. At first it was a man, then androgenous and then it became a woman. What is most interesting for me is that I could not decide what race she was. At first she had very pale pink tones, then she had very dark skin, I made her asian, then changed it to indian, then I had her looking like a hindi goddess and her eyes were closed. Then I heard open her eyes, so had to redo the face to have eyes opened. Working in oils allows this type of molding. Many people have made comments on who they see. The ladies in Brazil call her Yemaja, a spiritual goddess, a british friend called her the lady of the lake as in Camelot, my hindi friend told me he could see a flame in the centre of her forehead (it was there once-but not visiable now), some see her as oriental. Those close to me say she is me. In a sense it was as if I was painting all the parts of myself. I have a mixed heritage and appreciate all cultures and their diverisity. And I certaiinly needed to rise. Her name The Lady of all Nations seems right.
I noticed that you create drums as well, where did you learn to do this? I learned to make drums from a Dene Elder in Fort Fraser British Columbia, she rather gave me permission. I also learned from a Metis Elder and developed techniques on the advice of the artists I made drums for. Many like the side of the frame covered and they want it smooth. So I experiemented until I found a way to do that.
And the pet portraits, they are a recent addition to your portfolio, what is your motivation to start these? I usually paint in oils and in layers. Often I have to stop painting on a painting to allow paint to dry. While waiting for the paint to dry I was drawing with some chalk while in the park. This beautiful German Shepherd came and he inspired me to do a chalk drawing of him. It was light and fun. The next day I learned of the passing of a friends siberian wolf. I was going through the many photos he had online of this beautiful creature and decided to give a try at pastels. I did two of Tundra, the dog of the north. An Emmylou, the oil portrait was really about celebrating her long life. She was a 19 year old cat that blessed me for a short time with her character. I realized in doing the pet portraits I had a great deal of love for the animals. My motivation is about remembering how fortunate I am to be able to have them in our world and it gives me a fun project to do while waiting for the oils to dry.
Do you have an artist in mind that you have much admiration for? I admire the artist within all of us and it is my dream to have a space, an open studio where people can come and paint and create and tell their stories.
AND .. TODAY..
I have a deep admiration for Robert Davidson and the other artists that won the Canadian Goveror Generals Award for their contribution to the arts and media.
The winners of the Governor General's Awards for career achievement in visual or media arts were announced this morning in Montreal.
Haida sculptor Robert Davidson of White Rock, B.C. Filmmaker André Forcier of Longueuil, Que. Painter Rita Letendre of Toronto. Video artist Tom Sherman of Liverpool, N.S. Photographer Gabor Szilasi of Montreal. Painter Claude Tousignant of Montreal.
