Hope to see everybody next week. I’ve been working hard getting everything done. Here’s a little teaser video made during the creation of the hand crafted merchandise and the photographic prints.
On October 6th 2023 in Windsor Ontario during Free for All Walls… I went down with a heart attack all while I was painting a Mural. After 6 weeks of recovery with many ups and downs both physically and mentally. I pulled myself together, made a deal with myself that life on the other side of this episode can only get better. My goal: come back better and stronger. Allowing everything to take its time and leaving myself open to continue exploring my creativity. Yesterday for the first time since Windsor I painted a Mural. With the amazing help from the best team mate, friends and talented hand @jshantzart Jeremy I can’t thank you enough for giving me the confidence to jump back on the horse. Push my style even further and continually being a positive and understanding human. Your the best.
Three years later, Jamie’s leaving the education department of the National Gallery of Canada. Changes have come to the department, and I must move on. Today was my last day. I’m sad it happened this way. I had three great years here. Giving guided tours, in community workshops, studio workshops and kiosks for ALL age groups. This environment has pushed me to get back to many art forms I had forgotten; Silk Screening, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpting and pretty much anything else you can think of in the visual art world. Worked with some amazing people, experienced some world class art first hand, but now it’s time. Much love to all of you, I learned so much in such a little time. images courtesy of Staff, Rebecca Miller & MIV Photography for the National Gallery of Canada
Themed on suicide prevention this mural is produced with the help of « les Courag_eux » a group of men aged 25 and up who participated in a prevention workshop . This workshop is the ground work for the values used to build the imagery of this Mural. The Blue Jay symbolises communication, confidence & resilience. The hand is filled with the topics and values exchanged in our workshop. The sun is for getting to the next sunrise, the next day. Include in this mural is a library of suicide prevention references framed above the blue jay. Let’s take out the taboo & Let’s Talk