Nanabush

Profile

Name: Nanabush
Age: 50
City: Espanola
Country: Canada

Joined: Aug 2007

My name is Sue Nawash and I was born in 1958 and raised in Whitefish Falls, Ontario, Canada. I am Ojibway. I have always loved art and have been interested in other artists since I was very young: eg: “Group of Seven.”

The beginning of my traditional beliefs started with a Native Cooking course at Cambrian College in Sudbury from 1994/1995. A book, “The Mishomis,” by Edward Benton-Banai was introduced by a native teacher which was the beginning of finding my spirituality.

My spirit name is Nanabush. It is an old name (5,500 years) and many legends have been written about him. He was sent down to earth to teach the native people about human behaviour. Nanabush is about truth, honesty and generosity. His father is West Wind,his mother is native and his grandmother is the moon(Nokomis). He is half spirit, half human and could change into anything he wanted to; tree, rabbit, raven, etc. My name came on drums in a dream in June 2002. That fall of the same year I decided to start doing pastels to overcome the loss of my mother. It has become a full time passion.

My paintings are a combination of realism and abstract done in soft pastel and oil. Most of my artwork is of nature, but I also have paintings with people and animals.

I love the feel of the pastels along with the softness and the ability to blend colors with many layers; it is unique to this medium. I use acid free paper for all of my artwork but have done work on canvas board, which I gesso before starting my work.

The process of starting my paintings has evolved since 2002. I have learned to smudge myself with tobacco before starting a new piece because it brings a spiritual meaning to my paintings; a message from Creator. Email; groupofeight@hotmail.com