These portraits are of people who were alive at the turn of the century,
I was taking part
in a Sweatlodge Ceremony
a number of years ago. This particular Sweat was a
very hot one, a Healing Sweat, and
many people were not staying in for the full Ceremony.
During that sweat, I had a vision of many many faces and voices and
what came with it was a very deep and amazing feeling of connection.
I had just started to paint full time, and I was ready to learn how to paint portraits. I resonate with the First Nations wisdom and way of
honouring life and considering all connected and sacred, for me, painting these portraits is a way for me to honour them.
Sweetgrass and drumming have became part of my daily meditative painting practice.
These portraits come forth in different styles, each one a surprise to me as the painting happens.
This body of work now consists of 60 portraits, and I will paint at least 100 portaits,
The originals will be kept together, but
prints are planned for some of the portraits.
My dream for these portraits is that they may travel together
and be shared in different places in the world
