Under Open Skies – 11 x 14 framed Acrylic Painting

“Under Open Skies” is an original framed 11 x 14 inch gallery stretched canvas acrylic painting that pays tribute to my Métis ancestry and the deep connection to land, water, and heritage. The piece depicts five tipis nestled in a mountain range along the edge of a flowing river beneath a bright blue sky. Towering evergreen trees rise on the opposite bank, suggesting the shelter and abundance the land once offered—and still does.

This imagined scene is inspired by my ancestors who lived in the Severn region of what is now known as Fort Severn First Nation in northern Ontario. With records tracing back to 1775 in the York Factory District of Manitoba, I often reflect on how and where they might have lived. I envisioned this peaceful moment in time, where the river provided water, fish, and sustenance, and where tipis stood as strong, practical, and symbolic homes for Indigenous families.

Painted from memory and imagination, not reference, the composition features hand-painted symbols on the tipis to reflect cultural identity and add visual storytelling. This work is a celebration of both personal heritage and collective resilience—set under vast, open skies.

The original acrylic painting was created on gallery-wrapped canvas, with the sides painted black. It is finished with a layer of isolation coat and gloss varnish for lasting protection and vibrancy, and is presented in a black floating frame for a polished, contemporary finish. The title, date, and artist’s signature appear on the back of the original.

Under Open Skies Acrylic Painting