My grandfather died before I had the opportunity to know him. I heard he had a really tough life, and died a broken man on the streets of Vancouver. I did not know which band he came from or where he was born, and went on a journey to find some knowledge about his life.
Blue Moon © Darlene Gait
Medium: Acrylic on Watercolor paper Size: 12” x 22” 2004
Limited Edition Prints Available.
I started at Alert Bay, and nobody seemed to recall him there, but he did work in the cannery during the 1920’s, that’s all I knew.
Later, I found out he was born on one of the islands off the west coast of Vancouver Island. I found myself staring out at the ocean, with so much emotion in me. I could feel his presence near me, but knew nothing much more than when I started. All I have is an old photograph of his beautiful face when he was a young man, and the hope to one day see him and give him my love when I journey out of this life and into the next.
The Eagles in the background of the painting, represent the spiritual guides that led me to create this image. They seemed to be wherever I ended up in abundance.
Image Credits
All Images Are © Darlene Gait
Darlene Gait Artist Bio
Darlene Gait is a Native American Artist from the West Coast Salish tribe ‘Esquimalt Nations.’ Her work has captivated thousands of Native and non-Native people due of the content of uniting people with one another and nature.
Known for her work on the Unity Wall, Ogden Point Breakwater, Victoria Harbour (Camel Point), Victoria, B.C. and “One Moon Gallery” – Darlene’s art gallery located on tribal land – she continues to inspire, create and take her work in many different directions.
The Unity Wall, in its 3rd phase, will be unveiled in the spring of 2014. The Unity Wall is one of the largest murals in Canada, and speaks of legends, cultural and spiritual themes that help educate the public about the First Peoples of Victoria, B.C., Canada. Artist Butch Dick, Songhees Nation, has partnered with Gait throughout the last 3-4 year time span it has taken to complete the mural project.
Darlene has worked with Orca Book Publishers, Victoria, B.C. Canada, creating several books with the theme of Native American Justice and environmental subjects for children.
Her work has also grazed the Canadian Mint, with subjects of Native American hunting, dancing and cultural legends.
Currently, she is raising a family and living between two countries, the U.S. and Canada, exhibiting in Washington State and Victoria, B.C. Darlene’s work is moving in the direction of becoming much more prolific and detailed with themes of spiritual and cultural content in a renaissance style that grabs viewers from all over the world.
Darlene plans on exhibiting her new collection of 20 large oils on canvas, in the spring of 2014.
Blog / Website: One Moon Gallery
Follow Darlene Gait on: Facebook
Recent Guest Artist Articles:
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