Single dad becomes singularly successful

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Being a parent is not easy. Being a single parent is hard. Being a single father of three young children while pursuing a career in art is almost unimaginably difficult, and exactly what Mi'kmaq artist Alan Syliboy went through almost 15 years ago.

Syliboy was born on Sept. 8, 1952 on the Millbrook First Nation in Truro, N.S. He still lives only 250 feet away from there.

He said he has been drawing as long as he can remember.

"You get a reputation among your peers as a person who draws," Syliboy said.

In early 1970s, he spent three months training in Salem, N.H. where he was taught painting by Mi'kmaq artist Shirley Bear.

Afterwards Syliboy went to the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design where he met artists from all over the world. (Twenty-five years later, he was invited to sit on the college's board of governors.)

Syliboy began selling T-shirts adorned with own work door to door on his reserve, and then to other reserves in Nova Scotia and the other Maritime provinces. He did various jobs as cabinetmaker and oil-burner mechanic, but art was his primary focus.

"I can't imagine being not an artist. My goal was still the same. I was fixing furnaces to get more time to paint," he said.

Having three young children affected the way he painted. He has learned to paint quickly. He calls it 'painting between the cracks.'

"Whatever time you have, fill it with painting," he explained. "Gradually you find more time as time goes on."

Now he can afford to have very spontaneous ideas and work on them whenever they come.

His daughter is now 14, and sons 16 and 18. Syliboy has provided them with a creative environment, and "it seems to be the way for them." Both sons play guitar. "They're creative in their own way, but I don't think it's visual."

Of his own art he says, "Most of my subjects deal with family, searching, struggle and strength. All of these things are part of my art, and my art gives me strength for my continuing spiritual quest.

"Simplicity of line and color and uncomplicated symbolism now gives my work a cleanness and strength... I incorporate new themes and mediums to ensure my artistic progression. Elements of Mi'kmaq petroglyph records found throughout Nova Scotia provide some inspiration for the developing of my general theme, which is my expression of the pride and understanding attached to our cultural heritage," reads a section on his web site.

Syliboy created his fine arts studio Red Crane Enterprises as a vehicle to sell his original art, prints, cards, T-shirts, sculptures and pottery. The studio also represents other Native artists, carvers, print-makers and traditional crafts people.

"I decided I was going to make a living as an artist. That's what I was doing for the last 20 years."

Over this period, he has held more than 20 shows and exhibitions. Syliboy's works have found their way to Japan, Brussels, and a few shows in United States and Newfoundland.

His latest project was to host Nations In a Circle. The thee-day series of exhibits and performances at the Dalhousie University Arts Centre in Halifax, N.S. at the end of July showcased Aboriginal art and culture from across Canada. The event, in its second year, featured traditional and contemporary painting, traditional crafts, drum-making and an introductory bronze workshop.

"I wouldn't say it went perfectly well-attendance was moderate...We had to compete with so many powwows and dances," he said adding the organizers plan to take the yearly event to a slower fall season.

Coming up Sept. 14, Syliboy will participate in a new Music Room, a 45-minute music show with Aboriginal content.

His future goals are shows in Europe. A show in Paris is planned for October 2003, and plans for a show in Germany are being finalized.

Syliboy said it's difficult to decide on an artistic career, but "If you decide to be an artist, you choose the path, find a way to stay on that path, work your way around obstacles. People get discourged too easily." He suggested, "Keep your eyes on your goal.

"The world is bigger with the Internet. You don't have to wait to be discovered. You make a Web site and make your art accessible."

Syliboy's work can be viewed and purchased at his Web site: http://www.redcrane.ca