Wednesday, July 21, 2010

July - branching out - Unicorn Painting


Ah, the rainy skies have cleared for a little while. Went for a refreshing bike ride this morning, and rode around the neighbourhood, particularly the Blackmud Creek & ravine area in Edmonton. The wild roses are still blooming, which was nice to see.

Haven't been doing much painting recently, although I did finish one piece that was inspired by some stained glass, of a palamino coloured unicorn.   http://www.etsy.com/listing/51559981/palamino-unicorn-8x10-inch-acrylic

It's a simple painting, but it was still a fun one to paint. I have an urge to paint more horses, so I may do that tomorrow morning.


Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Paintings as Magnets

So I recently took a couple of small paintings I had just made and attached magnets on the back. I think they look pretty neat. Both are listed on Etsy.

I wasn't too happy with the photos, as the weather lately hasn't been cooperative for taking good photos using natural light, so I made do with some fluorescent light in the kitchen.


Lately I've been enjoying the roses in the backyard. They're starting to bloom, as are the irises in the front yard. The pea plants are starting to grow well, too.

Update 2021: Both magnets have sold, but I still make small paintings as magnets. You can always send me a note and ask me to paint something for you, or I might have something in my collection.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Grande Prairie

So I have been working for the past few days in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

A couple of evenings ago I was able to check out the Muskoseepi Creek area. The name Muskoseepi translates to "Bear Creek" in Cree. While I didn't see any bears, I saw a good variety of birds, including Mallards, Canada Geese, Red-winged Blackbirds, Herring Gulls, and other species of ducks and gulls. I also watched some people canoeing along the creek.

Yesterday I visited the Grande Prairie museum and Heritage Village, visible on the left. They have a collection of original and reconstructed historical buildings from the past century. I especially enjoyed the Mad Trapper's cabin and the taxi post. A tabby cat named Chester adopted me and served as my guide through the village, walking me from building to building. (I think he was the local tom cat.)

This evening I took a short walk around Crystal Lake, which was full of ducks and geese honking and more blackbirds singing.
I haven't had a chance to do much painting, but last night I painted a samurai kabuki actor using my Chinese ink set. It's based off a historical painting. It was actually a lot of fun to do! I like how the tree turned out in the background, too. I ended up layering the tree leaves somewhat by accident.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Art Cards!

So recently I decided to give making gift cards a try. This is what I produced. I think it looks pretty cool, but the colors look a little washed out compared to the original painting. The real one is available on Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/listing/45903780/thunderbird-eagle-card-5x7-envelope and the card is blank inside and comes with its own envelope.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated!

2021 update: I am still making cards. I have better quality ones now and they sell quite decently at art shows, which I manage to get to art shows.

I don't use Etsy anymore as I end up spending more on just listing my items and don't really make any money. So the cards are available on eBay. You can find them here:




They're available in sets of 4 or 2. If you want to have a different assortment you can always send me a note and ask to have a different arrangement.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Day after the Snowstorm & the University of Alberta farms


So yesterday I decided to ride my bike to work, in spite of the huge snowstorm outside. The wind was horrible, and whipped the snow into my eyes. I was quite proud of myself for making it to work, pretty much on time.

By the time I got there snow had frozen in large chunks in my hair and my snowpants were soaked. Halfway through the ride I was rewarded with a gorgeous view of some snow-covered budding branches overhanging a path. It was beautiful.

Just relisted one painting "Into the Fields" on Etsy. It's one of my favorite scenes of the University of Alberta farms, with the distant city buildings removed.

This tree is beside a small field where I used to practice tai chi on sunny afternoons in summer. It can be viewed here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/37899836/into-the-fields-5x5-inch-chinese-ink

Nov 24, 2020 update: Ah, very sorry, it looks like the spot where I had the listing got updated to a different commissioned piece I had painted for someone. I still remember the painting and I have it somewhere in my collections. If you're interested, I can post an image. Oh, and if you like the cat painting I still paint commissions, so feel free to ask.

2021 update: I added an image. I also made a video about the University of Alberta farms and I reminisce about the days that I used to trek across it to school.


In the video I included the pieces of art I created that were inspired by various views of the farms. I also learned about the history of one of my favourite buildings, the Horse Barn.


Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Day Off - Cycling & Painting plans

Having a "relaxing" day off at home. This week I am fortunate to be working at home (i.e. in Edmonton) and am able to ride my old klunker of a bike to work. I find bike-riding so therapeutic, you get to work refreshed and by the time I get home I feel relaxed, in spite of having just got my exercise done for the day.

Here's an old video I made of winter cycling. It's not so difficult, you just need to dress warmly and watch out for icy spots.




Today I am busy planning some new art projects. I would like to do a series of paintings with an Alberta theme - views of the different places I've seen over the years. It's going to be a long-term project, especially since I don't paint very fast. ^^;


Tuesday, April 27, 2010

New Blog! A blog about being an Ojibwe artist


So I have started my very first blog. I have been meaning to start one for quite a while, and have wanted to write about my artwork, as well as the things that inspire me in life.

Currently my profession allows me to travel to various areas of Alberta, some places which I would never visit normally, so I would like to share some of my thoughts about these places.

I am an aboriginal artist based in Edmonton, Alberta. I am Ojibwe, and was born in Thompson, Manitoba, so I have a great fondness for northern Canada: boggy places, skinny trees, sunsets, and ravens. I started painting almost 10 years ago now, and enjoy it immensely as it is a good way to relax.

I love the abstract element of the Ojibwe or Woodlands style, as when I painted in a "realistic" manner I found I could never get things absolutely perfect.

I sell my artwork on my website, http://www.ojibwe-art.ca and on Etsy: http://www.taibossigai.etsy.com and the profits from my artwork is donated to various causes that I believe in - mostly The Nature Conservancy and Edmonton Humane Society, but also other organizations too.