Under Open Skies – 11 x 14 Unframed Acrylic Painting

“Under Open Skies” is an original unframed 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 painting has been finished with a layer of isolation protection and gloss varnish. The sides are painted black and also sealed. The title, date, and my signature are on back.

Under Open Skies Acrylic Painting