Artist gives
back to supporters
Catherine McLaughlin, Sweetgrass Writer, Grande Prairie
Page 4
Calvin Cornish began to draw when he was old enough to hold
a pencil. His family thought it was an interesting hobby. Many
years later he's still drawing, but now his work is attracting
the attention of art enthusiasts and galleries in western Canada,
the United States, Europe and Japan.
Although his drawing was encouraged by his family, his endeavors
were not seen as serious work.
"That changed when I made $3,000 in one day," he said.
"I was seven or eight years old and a friend bought one
of my drawings for $5," he said of his first sale. The drawing
on wallboard of a deer by a pond was created by a child passionate
about drawing, a child who drew his environment.
As an adult, Cornish continues to explore wildlife and Aboriginal
themes in his art.
Born in the remote community of Fort Nelson, B.C., the young
artist took basic art classes in the school system to Grade 12,
then instructed himself by copying from comics and books.
Cornish distinguishes himself by working primarily in pencil.
"I enjoy the textures and tones, the feel of it," he
said. "The pencils are inexpensive and it is less expensive
to print reproductions.
"I've worked in acrylic, sculpted (wood and wax to bronze)
and carved. I'd like to explore more art media in the future,"
he said.
Other artists have influenced his work. He learns from Robert
Bateman, Bill Reid, Bev Doolittle and others. Their work inspired
Cornish to pursue art as a career, to develop as an artist.
In 1992 he met Robert Bateman in Dawson Creek, B.C. Afterwards,
his cousin sent Bateman a note card that featured Cornish's art.
Some time later a letter, which Cornish still treasures, arrived.
"You really do have talent! Good knowledge of the wild,"
wrote Bateman.
Cornish wasn't always interested in making art his career. He
has worked many jobs: janitor, gas attendant, house painter,
motel clerk. In 1995, he decided to work full time as an artist.
"I jumped in with both feet, no clue, no money or support,"
said Cornish. Since that time he has produced 400 to 500 pieces.
Cornish's art was part of the 50th anniversary of the Alaska
Highway as he was commissioned to paint several wall murals in
Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson and Vancouver Island.
He first displayed and sold his drawings in the Fort Nelson library
and published his first prints in 1993 in Dawson Creek.
Over the past seven years, Calvin Cornish has drawn and published
148 limited edition prints and many other original works which
have now sold out. Print runs are usually 100 to 200 copies.
Promoting and marketing his art is hard work that sees Cornish
travel to Alaska, Yukon, and various other centres in western
Canada.
In Grande Prairie, where he has lived for three years, Cornish's
work is exhibited and sold by Outdoor Images Custom Framing and
Gallery. The gallery recently produced a Web site (www.gonewild.ca)
to promote his work and expand sales.
"By November 2002 I hope to complete and publish six or
seven more images, so watch for them on the Web site," he
said.
Grant Hopkins of Outdoor Images said he has a number of customers
who are attracted to the Native flavor in Cornish's drawings.
"People like to collect his art. Cornish's drawings feature
pictures within pictures," he said.
In 2001, Cornish was pleased to sign a publishing contract with
Artist's Press in Spruce Grove.
"Many of Cornish's images are nostalgic and this attracts
people," said Perry Duquette, president of the company which
offers national and international exposure of Cornish's work.
"In one word, Calvin Cornish's creations are...astonishing!
Calvin is a natural in his line of art and, without a doubt,
has what it takes to make it in this highly competitive industry."
"I have a passion for this work," said Cornish, who
is confident that this publishing exposure will help him make
a proper living doing what he loves.
While Cornish has a hand out, reaching for the rewards from the
hard work of his art-making, his other hand is extended in generosity
towards the communities that have supported and encouraged him.
"I first started six years ago when my mother died,"
said Cornish. "I donated several prints to the Dawson Creek
hospital to thank them for being so good to her."
That gift was followed by donations of his limited edition prints
to the Dawson Creek Skating Club, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation,
Ducks Unlimited, Grande Prairie Public Library, the Burn Society,
SPCA, PARDS (Peace Area Riding for the Disabled Society), Grande
Prairie Friendship Centre Youth Programs, and a fundraiser for
a school playground.
The first autograph session of his art career took place at an
elementary school where he was invited by the teacher to show
his work and hopefully inspire the children to make art.
Cornish emphasizes his appreciation for the support he has received
from those who purchase his art and offer praise and encouragement.
"It gives me the strength to continue," he said.
Top
Saying goodbye
to a father in the traditional way
Yvonne Irene Gladue, Sweetgrass Writer, Hobbema
Page 4
For 34-year-old Tammy Crier, the daughter of the late Wilson
Nepoose, a healing circle ceremony held at the Howard Buffalo
Memorial Centre on Nov. 1 gave her an opportunity to close the
books on her father's wrongful conviction for murder and his
difficult life and death after his incarceration and release.
Nepoose was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Marie
Rose Desjarlais in 1987, but was released after five years in
jail when the family convinced the courts to reopen the case.
The Nov. 1 healing circle was a highly-charged, emotional affair
as family members discussed how the wrongful conviction had an
impact on them. About 20 people, including Elders, RCMP members
and others involved with the case, took part in the ceremony,
which consisted of a pipe ceremony, speeches and a luncheon.
"When it came time for me to speak at the healing circle,
it did not matter who was observing," said Crier. "I
thought that this is my opportunity to say what I have to say
in respect to my late father, and what we've experienced through
this ordeal. It was really emotional for me. I had to let go
of what I had inside my heart and in my mind, so when we finished
the circle and we prayed I thought 'OK, I said what I had to
say, and it is finished.'"
RCMP Inspector Brian Simpson, the officer in charge of the Wetaskiwin
and Hobbema detachments, was at the circle and reflected on the
importance of forgiveness.
"I would like to thank the family for inviting us there.
The forgiveness portion of the circle was great; we should forgive,
yes. But forget? No, because we learn from our mistakes. It is
important for us to forgive, so that we can learn to move toward
the future," said Simpson.
A round dance was held each evening at the end of the two days
of healing. Tammy Crier, who carried her father's picture in
a ceremony during the round dance, said she experienced a sense
of freedom, peace and happiness.
"The picture was of my late dad and my Uncle Lester, who
I now call dad. It was taken when my dad believed that he was
victorious. The picture told a story of how my dad felt when
he gained his freedom. I looked at that picture before I walked
the circle and I thought of my dad in respect to finding his
innocence, has freedom. We won. I felt proud and released of
that burden. It was really beautiful. We've done this for him
and we've done all the protocol needed to reassure him that we
love him," she said.
"It was a bit hard to do that walk, because my children
do not have a grandfather today. But just having people there
who shared their smiles and 'hi's' and 'how are you's' was really
helpful and emotional. It felt good at the round dance with that
many people praying. It was so beautiful," she said.
The healing circle was held only after a package was offered
and accepted by the family to compensate their father, posthumously,
for the injustice he suffered. The most significant thing for
the family, said Crier, was that they were able to pay back the
Samson Band the money it had contributed to help clear their
father's name.
She hopes that the story of Wilson Nepoose will give people an
incentive to continue working on any struggles they have in respect
to wrongful convictions, and injustices within the criminal justice
system.
"It was not about the money. This is what my late father
wanted and we are making a point that we as Aboriginal people
are recognized and that we do have rights. We have a lot more
people now coming together to support one another, and I just
hope that we make a difference in someone's life when it comes
to wrongful convictions," she said.
"I heard stories of how he lost his spirit while he was
incarcerated and what he endured while he was there. It sounds
like it was a nightmare. I guess it is that understanding of
what he went through and when he attempted to explain what he
endured and how he felt about being robbed of his life is something
I will never forget," she said.
Nepoose went missing in 1997 and was found dead in 1998.
"I believe that my late father is in a good place. He's
been through a lot. In my opinion this is a success story. It
is done. Everything is done and his memory will live on,"
Crier said.
Top
