Wearable Art Embellishment

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Live painting Video

Raven of Life Design

Northern Willow

Scrimshaw Birch Design

Artist Bio & Techniques

Live painting Video:

Clique here to watch live footage of David Albert painting.

Raven of Life Design:

Raven could transform himself into anything. This design, by Aboriginal Métis artist David Albert, portrays the Raven becoming a branch of life. Traditionally, the Raven of Life gave people fire and water, placed the trees and grass over the land and put the sun and moon in the sky. Le corbeau peut se transformer selon son gré. Ce design, conçu par l’artiste Autochtone Métis David Albert, démontre le corbeau transformé en une branche de l’arbre de la vie. Corbeau donnait à l’homme le feu et l’eau; à la terre, les arbres et les herbes; au firmament, le soleil et la lune.

 

Scrimshaw Birch Design:

Scrimshaw etching was traditionally done with sailing needles on bone and then darkened with candle soot. Aboriginal Métis artist David Albert free hand painted this birch tree which reminded him of scrimshaw etchings. This one of a kind piece, Scrimshaw Birch is titled, signed and dated.   La gravure scrimshaw se réalisait en grattant de l’os à l’aide d’aiguilles à voile. Le dessin était ensuite coloré avec une mèche de bougie noircie ou de la suie. Inspiré par l’art des gravures scrimshaw, David Albert un artiste Autochtone Métis, a peint ce bouleau à main levée. L’artiste a signé et daté cette oeuvre d’art unique qu’il a intitulée Bouleau Scrimshaw.

Aboriginal Artist, David Albert:

Aboriginal Artist, David Albert Bio: David Albert was born and raised in Fisher Branch, Manitoba. David is a self-taught Aboriginal Métis artist. In the early seventies, as an art teacher, his love of nature gave him the opportunity to become involved in many outdoor activities with his students. He then became an art consultant for the Manitoba Department of Education.
He is proud of his Métis roots and is co-founder and past Chair of the Elzar-Goulet Local, the only French-speaking Métis Local under the governance of the MMF. He helped establish the Metis Student Association at the Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface.
For over 40 years, he has actively been involved in the Festival du Voyageur and as past Official Voyageur still contributes many volunteer hours yearly to this Festival.
He most recently accepted to serve on the Board of Manito Ahbee Festival Inc., an Aboriginal Festival for All Nations under the leadership of Lisa Meeches of Eagle Vision Productions. In his retirement, he enjoys creating one of a kind artwork on Andréanne's clothing, owner of an Aboriginal Métis women's clothing design and manufacturing company based in Winnipeg, called Voilà par/by Andréanne.

1. Pochoir: a technique that is similar to silk screening but allows for greater control by the artist to customize every print by applying variations in the colors, tones, and position of the motif. Examples are the lotus, the fern, bamboo, or any other motif designed by the artist.

2. Stamp: a technique that is similar to wood cut or lino cut. The design is carved into high-density foam blocks then paint is applied using a roller or paintbrush. The artist then applies the motif to the fabric. Examples of motifs used; magnolia flower, swirls or contemporary abstract motifs, eagle feathers or any other motif designs by the artist.

3. Freehand painting: the same technique that artists use to paint on canvas or any other support. Examples are elements found in nature; the birch or aspen tree,cattails etc. or a more complex " Group of Seven" inspired motifs. The artist uses high quality fabric paint that is heat set for long-lasting wash and wearability. The paintings are signed and dated by the artist.

Northern Willow Design:

The Aboriginal people used the bark of the willow to relieve pain and fever. Aboriginal Métis artist David Albert captured the beauty and essence of the Northern Willow Or by sponge painting onto a two part hand cut stencil. This one of a kind piece, is titled, signed and dated. Le peuple autochtone utilisait l’écorce du saule pour soulager la douleur et la fièvre. David Albert un artiste Autochtone Métis, a saisi la beauté et l’essence du Saule du Nord dans cette version stylisée en utilisant un pochoir double, coupé à la main. L’oeuvre a été peinte avec une éponge, signée et datée.