Silence

The memories of this time in my life came flooding back recently.
I had the pleasure of spending time with a gentleman who seemed to have had similar life experiences.
As we sat and talked over a cup of tea, we walked though our memories.

One that stood out for me was a time in Waterhen, found in northern Saskatchewan.
I was invited to fast for my first time with Rose and her group.
I had never done this before and was nervous about going for 4 days and nights without food or water.

This was to give thanks for all that had happened during the past six months.
Good or bad, we still were here to be grateful.

This image, "Morning Prayers", is one that captures a moment in the closing of the 4 day ceremony.
Those that gathered were so silent, what I thought was a direct response to being on their own for the last 4 days fasting and praying.

I remember the sky being almost blood red, turning into a soft pink glow.
The pipe on the buffalo's skull, the sweet grass, the sights, and lack of the human voice. The silence surrounding those working with their sacred bundles had such an impact on me.

In my life, I have found so many ways of distraction that never amount to anything, yet those moments of silence still impact me to this very moment.

Blessings

"Blessed in many ways" is a small painting with BIG meaning.

A year ago my sister's home burnt down.
She was out at a friend's BBQ.
When she came home to find all her home engulfed in flames, all she could think about was who got out and where are they now.
I received the phone call late that night, hearing her on the other end of the phone was both shattering and a blessing.

It is amazing what can happen in one's life.
Now I know I've heard of others going through something similar to this and they speak of how the community comes around them to support and rebuild their lives.
It is another thing to see it happen to your own family.

I am to this day overwhelmed by the outpouring of support the community gave to my sister. She is blessed to have such a group around her.

There was particular person who assisted her, one that inspired me to paint.
I will Blog about her and the painting that she received next.

I approached this person and offered to do a commission for her to say thank you for all she had done for my sister.
After a little time to think, she decided to have a polar bear with her cub as a painting.
This was so connected, a year before the fire I had painted a polar bear and her cub for my sister as a present. This was lost in the fire.
The fact that this woman wanted this as a painting made such a connection between us all, without her knowing.

The painting "Blessed in many ways" shows the Mother protecting the cub, sheltering it from the storm. Much like the community did for my sister, surrounding her with the love and warmth of the mother polar bear. My sister now owns this painting which is connected to the commission of "Guardian"
I know my sister was blessed to have the community help her get back on her feet, but I am blessed to still have my sister.

Time

This painting holds a place in time for me.


When I was a younger man I just too guide for a local Boys and Girls club.
We would take teens out on week long trips, bike tours, canoe trips or backpacking.
Mount Rundle would always be there.

Every time I see this area I am transported back to that time in my life.

The group of teens would always start out being at odds with each other, trying to find a pecking order or what social group they could hang with. Almost all of them being over whelmed at the idea of no real luxuries, or being surrounded by nature for the week.

By the end of the week, they were a unified group begging to stay for another week.

How suiting for this painting to be given to the brain tumour foundation spring sprint fund raiser to honour one of my Sons.

My sons are coming close to their teens and I am hoping they have the same connection to the back country as I did at their age. I am blessed to have the time to share my passions with them. For when it comes down to it, it is all about the time we share with others.

I never did meet the person who purchased this piece, however I hope they read this and enjoy the connection it has between the Artist, the location and the experiences that enriched my life.

Influence

What an amazing word.
I sometimes ask myself if I did not keep an open door to others influence, where would I be now?

This painting, "Alone with her thoughts" captures a woman who means the world to me.

My Mother.

Patricia has been all over the world and explored many cultural experiences.
She also helps others in relieving their physical pain in her practice.
She has been there to guide me and comfort me in my life.
And she is the reason I now Fly Fish.

So many times she would offer to take me to a Fly casting course, so finally I took her up on her offer.
Lynda McLennan stood in front of us discussing how to approach the art of casting.
Lynda, like my Mother had that connection to Fly fishing.
Step by step, motion by motion I realized I found a new home.
I remember smiling at Mom, knowing her smile held the "I thought you'd love it" look.
She was right.

We have gone fishing now many times and I find myself capturing her on canvas because she speaks to the serenity of the Art of Fly fishing.
She is not all about catching fish but the experience and being in the moment on the river.

I know this translates well since all the pieces of Art with her in them have sold and captured the hearts of those who have purchased them.

I am grateful to her spirit and for her influence on my life.

Dreams

In an earlier post I spoke of my first "Dream" animal.

In the Cree tradition, an understanding of one's life can be found through your dreams.
If one is visited by certain animals or certain things happen to you, they are possible clues to what you need to work on in your life.

I realize this may be out there for some of my friends, but it is very interesting to see how these messages play out.

One of these animals for me was the Buffalo.
It always seemed to be there when I needed protection in my dreams.
Transforming into people with messages for me to pay attention to.

My Mentor wanted me to explore this animal in a piece.
This is how "Dream Buffalo" came to be.

The piece recently sold, I found it interesting how important it was for me to hear how they valued this piece and the story behind its creation.
I am grateful that it found the proper owner.
I am also grateful for my dreams.

Choose to live

My oldest Son and I had a speaking engagement this week about his brain tumour.
I played a sound file the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation had provided us during their fund raiser in Feb 2010. See link below:

(http://www.childrenshospital.ab.ca/site/PageServer?pagename=Radiothon_Our_Families_2010)

- Select Reid's Story

Why do I share this you might ask?
I realize this ties into why I starting to paint. Dale Auger started this adventure with me, (see previous blog) but it Reid's experience solidified how impermanent and short our lives can be. To deal with the over whelming emotions that come with seeing a loved one go through hell, I could have rolled up into a ball and wither away, or I could get on with living! To express my love for my family and what I have been given.

"Boys will be boys" is a painting of both my son's and one of their friends playing on the river bed. The light was amazing and watching them play brought back memories of my childhood. I wanted to capture this moment in time for others to enjoy.

My oldest son was having a hard day that day. Little did I know at that time.
When we finally found out he had a brain tumour, this painting screamed out for me to paint. So when I was not in the hospital with Reid, I was with my other son in the studio painting.

This motivates me to explore our lives, to capture moments of pleasure, of significance.
Life is short, but so beautiful for those who decide to live it.

Choose to live.

Remembering Dale Auger:

Remembering Dale Auger:

Thank you to those who commented on the last blog.
I will be posting some stories in the future of that journey.
There was a request to see Dale as well.
So here he is as I remember him.

Gratitude:

Gratitude:

This journey I started to take was one of heartache and gratitude.
Let me tell you a little about it.

When someone takes a moment to reach out and empower another, amazing things happen. I know this to be true. A well known local artist did this for me.

A little over 3 years ago Dr. Dale Auger called me and wanted to have a cup of tea together.

I knew Dale, since I had studied under his mother Rose Auger for over 10 years.
She was a medicine woman of the Sakaw Cree from the Bigstone Cree Nation in northern Alberta. (A story for another time)

Dale and I had spent many times together during that journey. One that comes to mind was at a ghost ceremony that he was holding, to honour all those who have gone before us.
The sun had risen and the people had finally gone.
We sat in the lodge.
Dale playing the flute as I tended the fires.
Stopping every now and then to tell a story or two.
A peaceful memory.

Cup of tea, so there I sat again in front of a fire talking with Dale.
He was excited about his new book, "Mwakwa – Talks to the Loon: A Cree Story for Children".
His eyes were full of mischief.
He wanted me to think of mentoring under him as an Artist.

"You have the gift! And it is powerful. Let me guide you, walk with you, through this and you will be amazed at how quick it goes" -Dale

What does one say, yes of course.
I was intimidated by his passion, his vision he had of my art and how things would be for me. He said he was guided to mentor me and help me find my gift.

I take a moment here to reflect on this, the memories are strong and full of rich colors.
You see Dale was sick.
He wanted me to become very involved in his life. To learn as much as I could.
So our journey began, I started to paint again.
Exploring color, since Dales loved color.
This is how "Dream Bear" came to be.

This painting was my first under Dale's mentorship.
He wanted me to paint with only color.
I explored my scared animals.
These animals in the Cree tradition are the ones that guide you through your journey.
The Bear has always been my dream guide.
It always comes when I am in need of a push in the right direction.
So it was fitting to start there.

How these few years have flown by.
I know I said heartache and it comes with the passing of my mentor.
A large void, one filled with silence now.
As time trickled by, the silence started to turn to a whisper.
This whisper finally became my voice.

Dale passed the torch not only to me but his daughters and son as well.
Truly to anyone who met him.
He was that kind of individual, always helping others find their potential.

Since that time I have committed my life to my art, my wife and my sons.
I am blessed to be surrounded by amazing people!
To be in nature and feel the rhythm of the Earth.
To build up others in their journey.

I take this moment to thank Dale.
To journey back, to remember his powerful presence.
To thank this journey he started with me.
Gratitude.


http://www.daleauger.com
http://www.thomchildrey.ca

Painting for others

Painting for others:

It is an amazing process for me to walk through the creation of an image with clients.
We discuss what is important to them and draw out stories of their lives to create from.
This process discovers so many important images that desire a chance to be captured on canvas.
We tool out the most important story and feelings that are imperative to capture.
From there we start to form an image.
Once this rough image is agreed upon, the colours come forth and time seems to slip by.

The pull of paint on the canvas, the story and the feelings all coming together until the project is complete.

No longer just an Artist, but a story teller capturing someone's life.
A moment in time set to visit again and again.

Always a pleasure.