Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Grey Shark



Some of the shapes I used in the image were to induce the "water ripple" effect- multiple lines that look akin to waves and ripples. But I also mimicked and stylized some of the shapes to be reminiscent of the traditional fishing tools of the NWP aboriginals. It gives a very all-encompassing concept, what with the shark being a predator/fisherman of it's own kind.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Green Transformation



While Werewovles do not exist in the Aboriginal cultures, the concept of transformation, and transforming into animals is a concept you see regularly in the Oral Traditions.
Here, we see a human, transforming into a Wolf... the legs beginning to deform out of shape, and the last remenance of the human body- the hand- is evident. The Hand is a symbol of Healing in many Aboriginal cultures- Healing, Medicine, and Remembrance.
I wanted the hand evident to indicate that the transformation is a Healing one, and one of remembrance- back to a time we were inseparable form nature and from The Bush.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Red Bison



In Ojibwa, "Bison" is called "Mishikode-bizhikeh". This is actually a compound of two words: "Fire" and "Cow".

The reason Bison are called this is becuase the plains on which they live are notorious for burning up- plain fires are common, and would make the Bison flee.
From here stemmed the term; whether it was because the Bison fleeing the fire would make them seem as if emerging from the fire, or perhaps the fact that they were also engulfed in the flames while running, or simply because the local Aboriginals were associating the local environment with the type of cow - it makes for an interesting term.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Black Husky



Huskies are one of the most often used sled-dogs... and quite popular with people who want to own Wolves but obviously do not actually want to OWN a wolf. XD

All the dogs I know that belong to my Aboriginal friends are also sled dogs, so usually are husky or malamut mixes. A little tribute to the Animosh that carry us when "Kissina Kwajin!"

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Black Jackal



I admit, the black-gold combo was clearly subconsciously influenced by the over abundant images of Anubis in Gold attire from Egyptian culture... but rather then fight the color scheme, I ran with it.
Also, while I was supposed to keep everything monochromatic, this one felt as if it needed the 2 extra colors for effect. All in all, I am happy with how it turned out.

There is a long standing dispute in Aboriginal Myth about the existent of "Jackals". While not called by this term, they are described like "Smaller Coyotes" and darker in color. Conservationist have a similar dispute in regard to smaller Plains Coyote vs. Northern Coyotes that are larger- some even stipulating that the smaller plains coyote is a sub species or a type of jackal.
I decided to run with the theme and illustrate one of these "Small Coyotes".

Friday, February 4, 2011

Blue Raven



Back in Nov, I made my annual trip to the West Coast.
My twin sister was convocating her Masters, and both my mother and I wanted to be there.
Curing my stay, I touched based with my friends who were First Nations and lived in the local area. Quickly calling up friends, family, and extended relations so we could all hang out together and reminisce.

During the trip, I wanted to venture into making some art while challenging my design hand. So instead of dealing with NWP art via line thickness and weight, I wanted shape and color. My goal was to do a bunch of monochromatic images depicting some animals that came to mind (and were requested by some individuals).
Dealing with this style is hard, because anyone who knows anything about First Nations know that it demands a cultural understanding, lots of prior learning, and cannot be done simply becuase the illustrator "likes the style". Many non-community members take it upon themselves to dabble in this style, and create offensive and culturally insulting pieces. They are not even aware of this because they have no prior understanding to what they are doing.

Because of my connection, work, and relations to fist nations cultures and people, I take this cultural appropriation VERY seriously. I cannot fathom those silly people who think they can simply take something from someone else's culture, and think it's OK. I wan trained in the style by the people, and with the cultural rules applied, and still do.
I say this because within this series of designs, I had to come across a lot of cultural infringement- and deliberalty had to ask permission from the Elders of the local communities the right to do some of the things I did. Over the next few days, I'll be illustrating some of the events that I had to go through in order to design some of the images.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

True Blood- Russell and Talbot



Continuing with the recent theme- uploading work from Oct while I was sick. :)

I personally loved Season 3 of True Blood. I know a lot of fans just couldn't stop complaining about it, but I was on the edge of my seat pretty much the whole season. I also adored Russel and Talbot very much- for whatever their relationship might have been, it was Russel’s “Goodbye to Talbot” speech that had me in tears. I suppose it was because it was frank, true, and honest – and something we don’t get to see in relationships today anymore. Basically; love. Unconditional, and uncompromising.

That, and it was Dennis O'Hare delivering the lines. The sheer awesome of that man performing literally leaves a tear in the fabric of space-time-continuum.

I also noticed a scene where I think Russel was wearing a fish-net like stocking… and I was like DAMN… that DUDE is wearing those far better then I could EVER wear them.
Oh well.
The roses nearly gave me an aneurysm. But they were worth it!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

True Blood- Bill and Sookie



Still updating form... wow, 5 months ago. I really fell behind keeping up my blog since I'm working a million things all at once.
but this changes now!

The second portraiture I did when I was really sick back in Oct.
I'm particularly proud of myself since my mom actually recognized Anna Paquinn in this one. She doesn’t watch True Blood, so she doesn't know who any of these people are... but she did remember Anna from another of her movies.

Admit it, every time you see Bill or Sookie, you think "Suu-keh"... XD