Of Slight Interest

A concept sketch I made in August 2003 and posted online in 2005:





A shot from the new movie Avatar 2009:

Remembering Every Day

This is Tosh Anderson. Born in 1969, the Summer of Love. He's a husband, father, son. Pictured here with one of his boys at a Blue Jays game, he's also a hero. Not just for who he is on a day to day basis, but because he has dedicated his career to serving his nation and has gone on Peace Keeping missions and to War too many times for comfort.

He is also my older brother by five years.

We grew up in a rough neighbourhood. I have many memories from these times, but there's one that stands out when I think of my brother.

I loved to dig in the sand and the dirt when I was a kid. I loved to feel the grains between my fingers and to build. Towers, bridges, little towns. One summer day, I think I was around 7 years old, I spent the whole morning digging and building and driving my Hot Wheels through the little metropolis. I was so absorbed in this little world that I didn't notice the real danger approaching. In every rough neighbourhood you're going to have your bullies.

One of mine was a kid named Tiger. He was a few years older than me and lived half a block away and was pretty much the scourge of all the small kids in the area. Tough, unnaturally strong for a child, he had a rolling swagger and an anger in him I didn't understand until I got older and saw what poverty and abuse can do to a family, and to a child. But understanding was years away at that moment.

He came ambling up, saw my game and my tiny city and started stamping on it, crushing the streets and stores, crystals of sand flying up into my face, the toy cars bent and the tires snapped off. I tried to stop him, but he kicked me in the chest and down I went. As I fell, my frustration surged and I stood up again and shoved him, trying to push him away. One punch was all it took and I was down and out for the count.

The rest has been told to me many times over the years.

I guess my sister saw what was happening and ran over to stop it, but got a punch in the face. Tosh had been just coming outside the house too when he saw all this begin and by the time I got knocked out he was already running into the fray. There was a bit of a tussle, but my brother put Tiger down and by this time half the neighbours had come outside to see what was going on.

Amid all the noise, my brother picked me up and gently carried me to the house, my face caked with sand and blood, my sister's sobs hanging in the air as she ran to get towels.

Over the years, my brother carried me many times. I was always knocking myself out trying to perform impossible feats of daring on my bike, but he never had to fight for me again. A couple years after Tiger I recall finally standing up to another bully and as things started, I glanced toward the house. Tosh was standing at the door and I knew he was there not to save me, but to make sure I stood up on my own, that I picked my battles wisely. But that's a story for another day.

Yesterday as I watched the honour given to our soldiers here in Canada, I thought a lot about my big brother. We haven't been in touch in a few years, life being what it is, and I couldn't help the surge of love and pride and gratitude that came and washed over me. Nor would I have wanted to.

From war to war, battle to battle, to death in the field or in training, injuries stacked upon injuries, comrades fallen and families without loved ones, they sacrifice all for our benefit, so that we, as Canadians, have the blessing of living in an amazing country in an even more amazing time in history. Our luxuries and dramas, our opportunities and triumphs, all rest on the backs of those who fight to make it possible. We have our personal struggles, to be sure, and it's not all paradise, but at least we have the chance to make a life for ourselves in this peaceful land.

I am willing to bet that one of our soldiers this very day is facing the hot Afghanistan sun, the acrid smell of gunpowder lingering in the dry air as they pick up a child whose face is caked with blood and sand. They hold that child close to their chest, uniform dusty and dirtied, and they carry that light, limp body to safety.

All politics aside, the desire to do good, to be strong for others when other strength fails, the will to see a job done and done right, and the discipline to work as a team - these are the attributes of those who wouldn't call themselves heroes, but to me, these men and women are exactly that.

Our Heroes.

And we will always remember them.



Thanks, Tosh.

I love you.

HBC - Half Breed Clothing

Hey Everybody!

Today is the day we roll out the very first Half Breed Clothing t-shirt!

What is this all about?

Well, the smaller this world gets, the more couples from different backgrounds are hooking up. The result is a growing population of people like me and probably you! Kids with mixed heritage. Whether Metis, Heinz 57, Mulatto, Eurasian, half Irish-half Scots...whatever! We're all in this crazy experiment together.

And here's the t-shirt to show your pride in your roots. Stand up and be proud!

And please, be so good as to spread the word!!

-----

These shirts are artist designed (the first couple will be my own work) and hand pulled.

We're offering shirts in Fruit of the Loom (looser fit) and American Apparel (a little more form fitting). Pretty much any colour is available within reason!

:)

Included in this note are the first two designs we're releasing and there are more to come as more of our artists finalize their images.

Shirts are a cool $29.99 (or two for $49.99) +s&h, and feature an extra design on the upper back.

You can choose either the HALFBREED text logo, or my Paquette signature.

To order for yourself or as a gift for someone you think rocks, just email me up at:

paquette.aaron@gmail.com



Now share this note!

;)

Still more...

Opening a Dream
Mixed Media on Canvas
2009

More...

Equilibrium
24" x 36"
Mixed Media on Canvas
2009

Where do we find our balance? Is it in spirit, in the land, in fantasy, or in our experiences of work, play, joy and sorrow?

Is the goal to feast on life and welcome our experiences both happy and painful, or to reject these extremes and find that Middle Way? To eschew all desire and exist on a plane of meditation, contemplation and compassion?

Where is the best life and how do we find it?

To cease with doubts, but never with examination. To enjoy the show but to realize it is all shadow play. To find the passionate equilibrium.

A quick sketch...

Strength
18" x 24"
Mixed Media on Canvas
2009

From the Halfbreed Travelling Exhibit

White Raven Woman
2008

I actually finished a new painting...

I'm not going to lie to you, it's been a rough little while. But the fact that I was able to finish a painting tells me that the arrows are beginning to point in the right direction again. Which is a huge relief. I have a couple deadlines that have passed and I've had nothing to show for it. Trust me, that's bad. So, with a fresh breath of air, and the ability to smile really big again, I give you the beginning of my own fresh start:

A New Season
2009

The snows are retreating, the icy wind blows a last time across the land, hair is whipped by the last gasp of winter's chill. The flowers begin to bloom and the long night has been replaced by the eternal day. Mother Earth watches it unfold in serenity and patience, knowing the flow of time is like a river that carves deep into our souls, digging deep channels of habit and forgetfulness if we are not aware of it. But the Old Crow, the Irascible Raven, that black bird who takes many forms, reminds us. He watches with an eye that he hopes seems disinterested but I see right through him. He watches me, you, all of us. Always curious, always wondering, what will these bright shiny things do next? As soon as we fall asleep he is there, beating wings of wind and fury.

"Wake Up!"

"Wake Up!" he cries, throat broken and urgent.

And we do, realizing that as we slept we lost something in the river. For a while we are dazed by our sleep, but when the fog clears we realize that we were dreaming in the wrong place. To dream while aware, that's the true power. Old Bird settles back down to watch again with his fierce eye. And Mother Earth watches softly.


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Love and Fear - a quick thought

I'm an artist. I usually clarify that by saying I'm a painter...mostly. The truth is, I have an avid interest in all forms of art creation to the extent that I believe everything we do can be an art.

When it comes to life, every day is a chance at the new, at adding something inspiring and exciting to our existence. The choice we have is will we add that thing or not? Will we even recognize it?

Or will we tune it out like so many other things?

I'll be honest, there are the rare times I let my emotions run high and there are still things that can give me insecurity. I don't turn away. I face it and try to acknowledge it. I can't change by trying to change, I can only allow the change to come over me as I continue to acknowledge and process. Sounds like a boring practice, I know, but now there are very few things left that can affect my positive and confident outlook. And those things are disappearing.

Pretty neat stuff, hey?

Like everyone else I've experienced loss.

Like everyone else I pick myself back up again.

But it sure can suck sometimes, can't it?

:)

I believe that the inner self is always there. Who we really are is there from the start. We just lose ourselves in the stuff of this world. In fear, insecurity, clothing, drama, selfishness, greed, lack, ingratitude, abuse, jealousy, rage, depression, and on and on. All these negatives are of course interrelated and of course stem from one basic and profound source: intense, never ending, screaming fear.

How do we overcome that?

That's what people have been grappling with for ages. That's what causes people to ask in despair: who am I?

Well, you are you, aren't you?

And who is that?

Never ending, infinite, flowing Love. You are a face of love and that means you realize there is nothing to fear. That fear is an illusion, it actually doesn't really exist except when we bring it into being through our thoughts of loss. But nothing is ever lost or destroyed, only changed.

And we ourselves are unchanging. We only refine and refine in the forge of gratitude and abundance. Our small earth has everything we'll ever need and it is not even a mote in this spinning universe.

Therefore as examples of love we fear no loss. Our light shines ever brighter and stronger the more we give. Money is not the root of all evil. That's like saying the Sun is the cause of all our problems because it can give us a burn. Money without love or wisdom is just another tool of lack and emptiness.

Money with understanding is a river that feeds multitudes.

When we expect the worst, when we expect something bad to happen, we are never surprised when it finally occurs. "I knew this would happen" we say.

And we were right.

But when we expect something good to happen, we are always surprised when it does. "I can't believe it actually happened!" we say.

Something to think about...

Getting Back Into It

I've been slow to update, I know. I've been kept pretty busy working with schools in Edmonton, and building connections and relationships with educators, artists, etc in Fort McMurray and Yellowknife.

I was interviewed last month and here it is: Dante's Heart

Here's the opening excerpt:

Resident in Alberta, Aaron Paquette has carved and shaped his own unique niche in Canadian art, as well as building a lively network of artists and artisans through his blog. One of our editors, Meghan O'Dea, set out to interview him.

Dante's Heart: Aaron, I see from your blog that you enjoy interviewing other artists. What gave you the idea to set up that kind of dialogue? What excites you about interviewing and what have you learned from the artists you interview?

Aaron Paquette: I think a lot of people want to be artists, or already are and need some encouragement. I know I certainly feel that way sometimes! What I like about the interviewing process is that every now and then a nugget of gold will be found in the words, and it can be different for everybody. There's a chance for everyone to walk away with something valuable they can use in their own lives.

In other news, I finished the cover for a Book coming out this fall called "Dreamcatcher" published by Theytus Books in Penticton. As the date approaches I'll post more information.

I'm also done the paintings for my collaboration with poet Andy Michaelson. That book should be ready for next Spring.

Painting has been slow going over the past six months, but I've found my groove again and that's a relief as I'll be having a mini show at Mandolin Books in May (the works will be posted and for sale through the Bearclaw Gallery).

And last but not least, I have a show coming up in June at the Willock and Sax Gallery.

That should be enough updates for now. Here's a painting!

A Decade's Worth

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Press Release
(please distribute)

The Grande Prairie Friendship Centre, UMAYC Program is pleased to present the
10th Annual Spirit Seekers Youth Conference My Spirit From All Directions: Then,
Now & 4EVER. This conference is open to youth 12 – 29 years of age.

This year, special guests include: Travis Dugas, Aaron Paquette, Shauna and
Shannon Baker, Rocky Morin and the Thundering Spirit singers. Conference Elders
include: Miriam Youngchief, National Association of Friendship Centres’ Senator,
and Louise English, Piikani Elder. Once again the conference will offer a Career and
Education Fair.

An added feature to this year’s event will be the first Round Dance and Feast, where
we will honor our Aboriginal Youth Role Models.

“Spirit Seekers is a conference planned by our youth, for the youth”, said Melodie
Wilton, Interim CEO. “Over the last 10 years, we have had participants from across
Western Canada, NWT and the Yukon. It’s a unique learning experience mixed with
a lot of fun,” she added. “This conference gives youth the opportunity to network
with peers, in a good way” said Delaine Lambert, UMAYC Coordinator. “We also
focus on bringing their mental, physical, emotional and spiritual components
together”.

This year’s event will be held at the Grande Prairie Regional College, March 20 &
21, 2009.

The registration fee is $110.00, which includes the feast and all the entertainment.
Deadline for registration is Friday, March 13, 2009.

For more information and registration packages, contact:

Delaine Lambert, UMAYC Coordinator
Grande Prairie Friendship Centre
Phone: 780 532 5617
Email: gpfc2@telusplanet.net

Interview with Sandi Greene

Mystique
Sandi Greene

Well, I hope to have a text interview with Sandi in the next few weeks, but in the meantime, enjoy a few of her photos, and please check out my podcast where Sandi and I sit down for a quick chat about her stunning images:

Interview with Sandi Greene

And her book:

Seeing Evangline

Looking For Red
Sandi Greene

Remember! If you haven't already, please subscribe at iTunes (just type in Aaron Paquette in the iTunes search bar) and feel free to give me feedback to make these little audio productions better for you!