Painting doubles as therapy

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Kathy Shirt finds peace and well-being from painting. "Many of life's experience need to be expressed," she says. And Shirt should know. Through the years she has known good times and bad like attending the Indian residential school at Blue Quills, raising her children and getting accustomed to city life.

"Then a few years back, I was involved in a motor vehicle accident," she says. "Painting became a therapy for me, part of the healing process." Shirt feels her painting has a strong message, speaking of her won life as well as modern themes. "Globally we are in serious environmental trouble," she warns.

This year, her second time entering the annual Asum Mena art competition and show, she had five pieces of art accepted. "They are mostly portraiture, all from memory or thoughts that pop into my head," she says. "I love painting scenes from Mother Earth and memories of the olden days - an elder or a sweat lodge."

Shirt spent part of her childhood at Saddle Lake. "From the folks back home, I learned Cree folklore," she says. "I liked to hear them talk about the spirit of the northern lights and the belief loved ones who have passed on are dancing in the skies." Several of her paintings feature the northern lights' theme.

Before her accident, Shirt was a Native arts' instructor at Alberta Vocational Center in Lac la Biche for several years, moving to the city in 1983. She had gone on to Grant MacEwan to study art when the accident changed her life. "I was originally going to wait until I retired to spend more time developing my are, but the accident changed that," she explains. Although she has had to discontinue her studies for the time being, she keeps in touch with Grant MacEwan instructors. "They are really encouraging - they have bought some paintings, too," she says.

Today a typical painting session will find her heading out to a park, classical music tapes and tape player under one re, art supplies under the other. "Often I find people who let me draw them," she says, "like a young girl not long ago, who was so beautiful and innocent, and her whole family got involved."

Shirt has a son and daughter, aged 21 and 19 respectively, who although they don't live at home anymore, are close to their mother and are proud of her artwork. "They say they have learned a lot from me and my paintings," she says. "They think the work I do is neat."

Shirt enjoys watching young people as they mature and take on more responsibility in their lives. "The kids are proud of their Native heritage, too," she says.

Although she tried all media, Shirt finds the gentle touch of acrylics ideal for her accident-weakened arms. "I can't do a lot of m ixing."

Her painting vary in size from miniature to 48 inches by 52 inches. She finds working only short spells is best, again because of effects of the accident.

However, she also keeps busy with another unique project, researching Cree clothing. "It's interesting to see the changes over the years," she says "I go way back, to the days before contact with the Europeans, even to the days when more of the world was one, and we weren't separated by oceans." She finds she comes across other cultures, although Cree is her main interest. "There were many influences on our people," she says.

She also credits the Alberta Indian Arts and Crafts Society with encouraging Native artists. "Chantelle is a real help to me," she says, referring to Chantelle Favell, the society's program assistant.

Shirt plans to finish school as soon as her health allows her. She says to young, aspiring artists "if it's in your hear, do it." Sometimes, she fears, young people are discouraged by stronger, more accomplished artists. "Don't worry about competition," she says. "Each one of us develops our own individual style."

Artist retreats to wilderness to paint

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Heather Andrews, Windspeaker Correspondent, Edmonton

To accomplish her dream of attending Emily Carr College of Art and Design in Vancouver next ear, Dale Mervyn is working at two jobs. She's also continuing to paint as often as she can.

"I need the make all the extra dollars I can this summer," she says.

Mervyn entered six paintings in the Asum Mena competition and art show currently running at the Front Gallery in Edmonton. "I was pleased when all six were accepted. They are all acrylics on masonite," she explains, admitting to trying oil and water colors as well.

"My mom is very artistic and we do a lot of work together," says Mervyn, who has taken art courses through the Alberta Indian Arts and Crafts Society and the University of Alberta. "And I've been able to have some private instruction, too," she says.

The 20-year-old has lived in Edmonton since she was four. "Before that we lived in Whitehorse. My dad was a trapper. I get my Native heritage from him - he's a Slavery Indian." One her dreams is to back to the north country some day.

"People have said they can see my Native culture showing up in my artwork, say Mervyn proudly.

Mervyn, a member for the last three years of the Indian arts and crafts society, finds the organization helpful. "It's nice when you don't have enough for a show of your own to have a place to display your work. It's good promotion."

Mervyn just returned from two weeks of painting in the Willmore Wilderness near Jasper National Park. "The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society sponsored several of us to painting in the beautiful mountain scenery," she explains. "I did five canvasses in 12 days." The paintings will be donated to raise funds for preservation of parks and wilderness areas in Canada. "Yardley Jones was along and we had a really good time."

Mervyn has the support and encouragement of her family. "My older brother and two sisters are great," she says.

She likes the hard work of painting and the feeling of accomplishment. "Sometimes the result s just take your breath away."

Mervyn hopes to enter her work in more shows and is glad attendance at college will eable her to do so. She was in Asum Mena last year and has participated in the local Sutton Art Show as well. She also recognized the importance of seeing other people's work. "It really enriches your understanding when you see how other artists inter pret feelings," she says.

To other aspiring artists, she has specific advice. "First of all get a good art education. See other places if possible for exposure to other experiences." She assures new artists that with attendance at college, and practice, their own style will develop.

Mervyn has her future all mapped out. "First I'll finish my schooling and then I want to be a professional artist.