I recently completed this beautiful totem, which I titled “Between Now and Eternity” It is 36x48” and is currently in my gallery in Halfmoon Bay, Sunshine Coast, British Columbia.
Sometimes I get asked about my totem paintings, they ask me if it's OK for a while woman such as myself to be painting totems. I am always open to a conversation to discuss this.
Whenever possible, I speak to the carver of the totem first before I start to paint a piece. I have never had a negative response, I have always had lovely conversations with the carvers, including hearing stories about the totems, I have even been told by some carvers that I can paint their totems any time. I am overjoyed to honour the carver and the totem; they are tribute pieces.
How a person feels really depends on where they are at in their journey in life. I have received many blessings and encouragement from First Nations People about my paintings. And I am happy to continue to honour them and pay tribute to them.
This particular totem was carved for the Olympics in Vancouver in 2010, and stood outside the Aboriginal Pavilion.