Moondance

32" x 24"
Mixed Media on Canvas
2010

A few months ago I happened to look up at the sky and I almost fell down at the vision. What would normally be a waxing moon seemed to me suddenly like a pregnant belly, the rest of the woman submerged under the evening sky. I knew I had to share that image. This painting is dark, but so full of light everywhere! The teepees are a row of warm invitation, the roaring fire a beacon to home and safety. I like to imagine someone is out there, tending to the living fire, watching the sparks rise against the stars as they form a seamless union between heaven and earth. The mystery of the Northern Lights hovers up above, muted as it goes to rest with the rest of the world, and there she is. Dancing in the spinning cosmos, giving life in the same breath as she bequeaths death. We are all on a one way ticket from the moment we board this physical plane, and it is this balance of light and dark, birth and death, joy and melancholy - these things give meaning to it all.


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Fluid & Flux

Gold Dance
40" x 10"
Mixed Media on Canvas
2010

Sun, sky and water. All fluid, all in flux. Alive with light, this painting dances and moves in an enduring place of calm. This piece developed over a span of three years, I was in no rush with it and it wasn’t in a rush with me. It grew as I grew. It waited patiently for hands that could give it the life it wanted, for hands that understood. I respond to this piece in such a joyful way, it touches something deep inside me for which I have no words. When I’m away from it, it seems enormous to me, a large, almost overpowering piece, but then I see it again and marvel at the slightness of it, the unassuming proportions. It has captured some essence of illumination and shares it again.



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And Warms Our Skin Like Soft Exhalations

Lay Down Your Burdens

36" x 28"
Mixed Media on Canvas
2010

This is one of a group of paintings that flashed across my inner eye and I quickly sketched it out. The painting took me 9 months of labour to complete, growing at its own pace. I couldn't have rushed it if I tried, and sometimes I did try. As it came closer and closer to completion I realized how much of my life was hidden in this piece like small bits of secret code, almost indecipherable. I look at it with a sense of satisfaction at being finished, and a sense of longing for the work to always continue.

There is a simplicity and a complexity to this piece. Some will see the hand as comforting, others will see it as threatening. What does it mean? I honestly don’t know. All I did was transcribe the already formed image onto canvas. Sometimes I feel like the Raven, defeated, hungry, hurt and weary. I just need to rest. And sometimes I feel like the Woman. Is my heart open, or has it been ripped out? Am I an angel, a mother, or a destroyer?

In the end it doesn’t matter. And that’s the way it works for life, too. All that matters is that there is a connection and a truth.

In the end, what else can we ask for?

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Sunshine Breaks Through

Cree Teachings

24"x 26"

Mixed Media on Canvas

2010

Sohkahcahkwewin ᓱᐦᑲᐦᒐᐦᑫᐧᐃᐧᐣ

It means having strength of soul.

I called this Cree Teachings because of the wisdom I have been honoured to receive from many teachers throughout my life. Some of the teachers hurt me, some of them loved me, and sometimes it was both. Here I have made the equivalent of birch bark, and inscribed upon it, painted on it, filled it with all the mysteries I know and then let it go. The four colours can be found on some Medicine Wheels, or not, and it doesn’t matter. I used the colours because they were healing for me, they were true for me. They are also the colours of the Hudson’s Bay Company, which would never have thrived were it not for the assistance they received from the many Indigenous people of Canada who shared their knowledge of how to survive in this country. The Company listened to how to survive, but they didn’t listen to how to live.

My main pursuit in this life is is to learn to live. To learn to set aside pain, to set aside fear. To instead embrace love, to be accepting and remove judgment as much as possible. I can only learn this through my interactions with others. We are each others constant teachers and students. The wisdom of the sky and the wisdom of a tree are no more or less significant than the wisdom of an ant or even the deep knowledge of an electron. By listening, always listening, we learn. Sohkahcahkwewin.


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Clouds Clearing

The Face of Abundance
22" x 28"
Mixed Media on Canvas
2010

I made a little painting a couple years ago called Abundance. I loved painting it and wanted to return to the theme and explore the idea again. This time, instead of a sun it’s a golden being. Many people have commented on it, asking, “Is it the wind?”, or “I think it’s a soul about to be born.” The golden visage represents everything. Some would call it God, some Possibility, some Tao. I just know that it is. I feel it when I’m painting. We all feel it at some point or other. We feel it when we’re mindful. We feel it when we transcend the need to be patient and are just accepting. We feel it when we sit quietly, allowing our connection to nature flow through us and fill our senses, fill our souls.


I turn my face to the sun
The heat like gentle lips

Placed upon my skin
In benediction

There's more than I can take
There's abundance

...Rain or Shine...

Buffalo I

5" x 7"

Mixed Media on Canvas

2010

Have you ever gotten close to a buffalo? Have you ever looked into one of those deep, limpid, liquid eyes? Has that buffalo spoken to you? What did she say? Did she tell you about her dreams? Did she talk about her calf, the day it was born, how it ran! Did she talk about circling the children when danger approached, forming a wall of flesh, fur and love? Of the dust rising in the heat of the day - parched and dry - to let them know it was time to move on? Did she describe the exhilarating pace as hooves struck the ground in a deep, satisfying, earth shaking rumble? Did she tell you about the day her baby fell down, never to get up again, as the iron horse rumbled past with a clanging mockery of their own thunder? Did she tell you how they all disappeared, the people starved and fences rose to carve apart the land? Did she tell you those dreams?

Did you listen?



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The Show Continues...

Wolf Vison
Mixed Media on Canvas
16" x 20"
2010

Sometimes words won’t come, or if they do they are insufficient. Threads that won’t weave, images that won’t stop and coalesce into form. Sometimes a painting goes so deep into dream it becomes difficult to tease out the simple meanings with which to clothe the chaos. This is such a work for me. I could say that Wolf is our clan, that I feel tied to animal life, that I am wild, contained only by strength of will, that at any moment I will turn from the city, from civilization, from the world of man and walk into the forest, never to return. I can talk about the vision fragments, of fire, of water rushing like sublime madness in my ears. Hearts beating, blood rushing, bodies racing, and then sky, endless sky and cool rain and the whispering winds. I can say all that and more and never have even begun. A howl wants to escape my lips just thinking on it.


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A Show!

The Bearclaw Gallery Presents:
Half Breed Culture
New Works by Aaron Paquette

Opening: May 15, 2010
Closing: May 27, 2010

Artist in attendance May 15, 1-4pm

Abundant Treasures of the Spirit
Acrylic, Gold Leaf on Canvas
30" x 40"
2010

This was a labour of love. It took an incredible amount of time to paint, the fish undergoing so many slight revisions until we were all satisfied. The perspective felt a little tricky at first, but resolved itself as the plant life was added at the end. What is happening here? What has been discovered? What is this orb doing, what will it do? As with much of my work, this is not a moment of truth, a fait accompli, but the moment before everything changes. There is a hush and an anticipation. A curiosity! The wealth of this life is about to pour forth in unexpected ways.


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So yes, it's true. My first solo show in Edmonton City in a couple years is about to begin. I would be so happy and so honoured to see you come out and take a look at what I've been working on for the past while. I'll be there from 1-4pm and look forward to it!

A.


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Bearclaw Gallery
10403-124 Street
Edmonton, AB

Email: info@bearclawgallery.com

TEL: 1+(780) 482-1204
FAX: 1+(780) 488-0928

Gallery Hours:
Monday - Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM

iPad could definitely be better (the artist gets techy)

As an artist I use whatever tools I can get my hands on to make the process of creating my work as intuitive and simple as possible. The less I have to worry about the better as far as getting thought to reality is concerned.

That's why I was really looking forward to the new Apple iPad.

I was imagining a device that would cut down on the clutter I would carry with me on regular day to day excursions. While it might be able to do that in some small ways, i suppose I was guilty of imagining something more.

Primarily what I'm talking about is drawing.

I was hoping for an included stylus and a nicely developed draw/paint program (app, as the kids say) that would allow me to have an eternally ready sketch pad that would never run out of paper and a pencil that would never run out of lead. A font of creative possibility!

The other imagined benefit would be that I could work out the colour schemes for my paintings on the iPad as well, moving things around intuitively, quickly and easily until I found just the right composition. Then it's off to the painting!

The other thing I would have hoped for was a built in camera that would allow me to capture a fabric, a leaf, the way light was hitting a face - whatever I saw that could inspire me - right on the fly, to examine and study later when I had the time.

And lastly, a simple, easy way for me to record my process so that I could share it with others digitally online, or give to schools after a workshop.

I know that with a big bundle of electronics and old fashioned tools I could accomplish something close to all this, so it's not like I am stuck on an island with only sand and coconuts to work with, but it would have been nice.

The technology is there and I really thought Apple would've put it all together.

Second Gen iPad, maybe?

Maybe.

In the meantime, I will still lovingly use my trusty pencil and paper sketchpad.

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On to other news:

I saw AVATAR!

Pretty astounded with the 3D. I kind of felt like I was in a living dream the entire time, the actors were right there, almost s real as flesh and blood (or a least as real as they'll ever get without meeting them). I took my parents who never go out to the movies and was really delighted by their response during the film. It was like seeing them as they were when they were kids. While I really enjoyed the movies, I think watching my Mom and Dad was the best part.



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I've been pretty busy making school visits, speaking at conferences, and just generally sharing what I've gleaned after twenty years of art making. It's extremely fulfilling and gets me out into the world and out of the studio, which let me tell you is pretty nice.

Next up is the Spirit Seekers Youth Conference in Grande Prairie and I have to say the team that puts that together is amazing. They're professional, warm and really care about what they're doing. I'm honored to be a part of their efforts. Thanks Delaine!

Keynote speakers will be Linsay Willier and James Jones of Canada's Next Top Model and So You Think You Can Dance: Canada fame respectively. They've teamed up to create a Motivational Speaking enterprise so I'm really looking forward to hearing what they have to say.

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My good friend Ian Walker is currently developing my new website which will be aaronpaquette.com and that will be up sometime before spring. It will have everything I do in one place and when it goes up I'll have a lot of neat things to share. Really excited about it.

And if you like the site when it goes up, let me know! I'll forward you to Ian and he can customize something for you.

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Just a quick heads up: I have a show scheduled to start May 15, 2010 at the Bearclaw Gallery that I think many of you will really enjoy. Many, many new works are coming up!

I'll have some information about a couple other galleries I'm talking with soon, and in the meantime, visit the Bearclaw and the Willock and Sax Gallery. There is always amazing art from a variety of diverse artists at both places. I'm always impressed when I take a visit.

New World Isis
24" x 36"
Mixed Media
on Canvas
2007

In Egyptian Mythology, Isis was supposed to marry the god Set, but instead wed his brother Osiris. In jealousy, Set killed Osiris and hid his body in the Nile. Isis recovered Osiris' corpse and prepared him properly for burial but at the funeral, Set stole the body, hacked it into pieces and scattered the pieces across the earth. Her devotion being so strong, Isis recovered the pieces of the body and reconstructed the fallen god Osiris.

In her grief, Isis transformed into a bird and circled in the air, crying out her sorrow and deep lament. The wind she made with her wings wafted over her husband and new life came into him and he was reborn.

To me, this story talks about the way we can become fragmented - our lives are cut up and compartmentalized- and we become role players, filling various parts but never feeling whole. We need to breathe. We need to allow our souls to return to our bodies, and -in prayer or meditation, or in simply being still and quiet- we can rejoin our fragmented selves and become entire once again.

Beside the World
24" x 18"
Mixed Media
on Canvas
2007

This painting speaks to me of somnolence and how the middle of the night can be fraught with the peril of deep seriousness. I'm often awake painting in those long dark hours, and when that despairing heaviness threatens to cover me like a thick black blanket, I can feel a little whisper of light pass through me. It's like having an angel's breath enter my lungs, lifting me and cleansing me. It allows me to step sideways from my thoughts and I feel like I can sit companionably with eternity beside the world.

Never Tell Me The Odds
12" x 24"
Acrylic
on Canvas
2007

In the stories, coyote battles monsters. It's just what coyote does. In one legend from the Nez Perce, Monster was devouring everything in the land. Monster was clever, but he couldn't seem to capture the last remaining morsel: Coyote. Now, Coyote missed all his animal friends so he was angry at Monster for eating them. One day, Coyote tied himself to a mountain and called out to Monster:

"Come, and get me, if you can!"

So, Monster seeing the coyote defenseless tried to suck him into his belly, but the ropes were strong and tied so well there was nothing Monster could do. Finally, he gave up...but he was still so hungry.

"Coyote...." Monster said slyly, "won't you come and be my dinner guest tonight?"

"Certainly! Let us put this anger behind us."

So that night, Coyote came to Monster and as they were preparing for the evening Coyote said, "Monster, I miss my friends so terribly. Won't you let me in to your stomach so I can see them once more?"

Monster had to hide us delight. At last! He would devour Coyote and his dominance over the land would be complete.

"Step right in," and he opened his mouth wide.

Coyote leaped in, fearlessly and with all his might, but he didn't go into Monster's stomach at all! He tore his way into Monster's heart and ripped and shredded his way through the giant, beating heart, finally killing Monster and ripping him open, freeing all the animals.

The carcass, Coyote hurled to the four corners of the world and this is how the people came to be. He had no pieces left where he was, so he took the blood on his paws from Monster's great heart and formed the center people, the Nez Perce.

And that is how coyote did it.

Into The Soft Soft Night
16"x 20"
Mixed Media on Canvas


I lay beneath the sighing stars
And the leafy whispers of the wood
Animal rustlings and watery sounds
Drawing me from a river of dreams
To rest upon the earthy shore

My heart beats so slow
My breath comes so low
Is the world changed in sleep, or me?
I rise and move, I move
Into the soft soft night






2007

The Bearclaw Gallery Presents

TRICKSTER
New Works by Aaron Paquette

March 3 - March 15 2007
artist will be in attendance 2-4pm opening day

Grandfather Rabbit
Mixed Media
on Canvas
12" x 16"
2007

The rabbit is an archetypal trickster figure be it from ancient legends to B'rer Rabbit, to Bugs Bunny - a trickster and a culture hero.

In this portrait, I decided to show the old fellow a little on in years. His eyes have seen mirth, but also sadness, and I think it's this sadness that gives the trickster his impetus, his drive to create temporary instability. The role of the trickster, ultimately, is to teach.

This grandfather rabbit has seen it all (or so he thinks) and when roused he can still pull off some real hijinks. If truth be told, he may not even be so old as he appears! He brings frustration, confusion, anger, and above all, and most importantly, laughter.

In fact, I think it's safe to say about this little warrior is that he laughs so he doesn't have to cry.

The Bearclaw Gallery Presents

TRICKSTER
New Works by Aaron Paquette

March 3 - March 15 2007
artist will be in attendance 2-4pm opening day

Trickster
40" x 30"
Mixed Media
on Canvas
2007

I have been focussed on the Trickster. More specifically, the raven. In my sleep, in my waking dreams, in the woods, I have been followed by a dark bird. Like a shadow glimpsed over the shoulder, or a whisper when no one was around, the Trickster has been dogging my steps. At first I was afraid. Was this a portent of my death? Was a tragedy about to occur?

But the more I thought about it, the more relaxed I became. In fact, I became very happy.

In legend, the Trickster steals, betrays, kills. But this is a Hero as well, because in other stories he is a creator, an inventor, he brings light to the world. I began to remember that the Trickster is the two faces of life, the noble and the base, the dream and the chaos. He represents you and me. He brings confusion, and doubt, but in the end, there is the fire of awakening, the light of understanding.

I was brought a golden lesson on charcoal wings. I have broken hearts. I have broken my word. I have destroyed. To live, I kill. I eat life, this is the nature of our natural system. But I have also made things, I have made hearts whole, I have fulfilled my promises. The face I wear to the world is not my face, it is a moment. Some see the face and are angry, others see it and feel happy, all based on my own choices, or blind luck, or sad chance.

The only power I have is the ability to choose how I will live. The Trickster did bring me death. He brought me the death of the mask I wore to myself, and the understanding that all things pass, and all things are temporary. When every life has suffering, and it does, beauty is found in the cracks. In moments, in seasons, in the mark of time upon a face.

I hope you will come to my show, look at the works I have laboured over and share with me your own stories. It is a risky thing, meeting new people, but I know that behind your eyes, I will see the Trickster looking out at me.