Always excited to travel beautiful Victoria, B.C. I was invited back to the Victoria International Chalk Art Festival as a Featured Artist this year. This was my second appearance at this classy festival which invites accomplished chalk artists from Canada and the US to participate. Working in the Royal BC Museum on an indoor installation, I was asked to create a First Nation themed 3D chalk art piece with the help of local First Nation artist Jamin Zuroski, a second time chalker! The 20′ x 20′ painting was created with chalk on canvas and depicted a night time scene of First Nation animal totems – a bear, a squirrel, an eagle and a beaver, holding a fire ritual at night time. Stars twinkled in the distance while the fire glowed in front. A wise owl sat watch in the branches as the bear danced among his friends.
Thanks to Jamin, we followed the First Nation iconography faithfully to create this whimsical image, honoring the indigenous heritage that is part of this country. Thanks also to John Vickers, director of the VICAF and to all the staff, volunteers and fans who welcomed this colorful addition to the Royal BC Museum.
