If it is not already obvious, I will make it explicit.

I love Native art.

I believe that my passionate appreciation of Native art began when I was still very young - maybe ten to twelve years old. I vaguely have the recollection of being taken to the McMichael Gallery in Kleinberg, Ontario at around that period in my life and being absolutely fascinated by the west-coast art (which I had already experienced at the Royal Ontario Museum) but also being introduced to the work of Norval Morrisseau - a Woodland artist. He may have been the resident artist at the time I was there - I wish I knew. I should not forget to mention the wonderful soapstone and bone carvings produced by the Inuit.

Of course, as a boy, I had no idea what it was about these expressions that so appealed to my own sensibilities; for me, they were just strong lines and colours. However, as I grew and learned more about art, in general, I began to more substantially appreciate the impeccable design qualities and, I would say, 'purity' to be found in these works.

I lived in Europe for many years and, so, have had the opportunity to view first-hand many of the significant works of the Medieval and Renaissance, however, I am being completely honest when I report that, when viewing a sublime 'Crucifix' by Giotto, my appreciation of it was also affected by my early experience with Native, North American art.

I have been very fortunate, since returning from Europe, to have acquired two original Morrisseau's, and several serigraphs. It is interesting that one of the Morrisseau's is a 'Mishipishoo encircling Ancestors. One of my own first attempts at reproducing the design and colour qualities of Morrisseau was also Mishipishoo - destiny or full circle?

I was recently pawing through books in a second-hand store - one of my favourite things to do - and I came up with a treasure:

O Siyam. Aboriginal Art Inspired by the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. John Wiley and Sons Canada Ltd, 2009.

I understand that 'O Siyam' is derived from a Salish word meaning 'guardian spirit'.

In any case, I was blown away. I barely got past the front end paper and my jaw was already hanging open. The approaches that some of the artists have taken with the traditional iconography are so fresh, light and colourful as to almost make a new form of expression but, there remain, the familiar forms presented in innovative ways.

The following is my homage to the Aboriginal artists that have been such a part of my life and I can only say 'thank you' for so inspiring me on my own journey.