CURRENT PROJECTS

 The Domino Affect Project

The Domino Affect project is a local art based initiative aimed to increase awareness around men’s mental health.  It is an opportunity for men to courageously share their stories of abuse, trauma or challenge openly, authentically and safely.  Their emotional journeys are then painted in an artist rendered portrait that illustrates not only their struggles but their resiliency in order to create societal awareness, acceptance and compassion. 

Stereotypes around “masculinity”  often hinder men from expressing feelings and addressing trauma, therefore creating mental health issues. Societal pressures exist for boys right into man hood to not cry, to be tough, brave and strong, and to “suck it up” which often leads to emotional oppression.  So many men suffer in silence, unable to share their feelings in fear of appearing inferior, weak, incapable and unstable.  These unprocessed feelings can become toxic and can manifest in mental health issues, and destructive behaviours such as violence, addictions and suicide.  By creating an openness around mental and emotional challenges, men can have their feelings validated and supported.  This project in about men supporting and encouraging each other that it’s acceptable to be vulnerable and that feelings are more manageable if they can be shared. 

‘THE HEALING JOURNEY ’

The subject of this painting vulnerably outstretches his arms to reveal his heart space that has blossomed after a long healing journey.  Overcoming the trepidation to express himself freely as artist, he courageously shares his his gift with the world.  With his love for music, he counts in, embracing the healing power of the arts to offer strength through his song.   His voice sings out for the millions, for all who have suffered, to let them know that they are not alone.   The painting reflects the ability to shed painful experiences by embracing what brings joy.  The piano keys, once only a single key banged by a single finger now become a celebratory symphony of hope and healing. The element of fire that he finds so comforting is represented in the volume bars beneath, providing a calming energy to his soul.  The bricks, boards, and chains signify the repressed emotions and buried memories that so many people have endured, yet light prevails, radiating from the cracks between the boards while a rainbow of possibilities shines overhead. 

‘STAR SPEAKER’

The subject of the painting stands courageously yet humbly in a posture of strength and personal empowerment. The footsteps in the snow represent his complex journey of leaving home on foot at a young age after enduring years of abuse. He grew up experiencing, first hand the effects of colonization and inter-generational impact from the residential schools. The Eagle provides guidance and direction, he wears the matching hair-pipe breast plate and flies protectively above, overseeing all and sharing visions of the future. The seven circles in the painting represent the seven truths that were gifted to the subject by the Creator in ceremony. His anchor during his healing journey, his grandson stands in the seventh circle, a healer from birth, his father and son stand in the other nearby circles. The braided roots growing from his feet into the earth and deep below the water, signify his connection to the Creator, mother earth and the generations of ancestors who came before him. Beneath the frozen lake surface, there are seven Star People depicted to represent the seven Star People that visited the subject in a vision. The element of fire inside the circle of stones symbolizes the sacred ceremonies in which he has faced his monkeys, skeletons and demons that are seen going up in smoke. The spirit of the the divine feminine reaches up to touch his healing hands in order to gift the power to connect the energies of the matriarch to the patriarch. 

‘ANYTHING BUT GREY’

The subject of this painting walks the tight rope of a “terminal cancer diagnosis”.  He has literally chosen the high road above all that threatens to bring him down, but the path is precarious and requires considerable care.  As a centre point between black and white extremes, he is painted in shades of grey to represent the place of balance and harmony he finds between the dualities of life. He is a creator, a leader and a community builder holding space for many who are depicted on his balancing pole.  The magical colours of the cosmos pour from his heart connection him with the universal oneness.  The subject’s peacekeeping mother flies above as an angelic dove while his wild tempered father is depicted as a wolf howling at the moon.  The subject and his brothers, bound by blood, but also friendship, choose a path that avoids their father’s volatility.  The skyline of the city of Calgary, one that the subject cherishes and builds his dreams in spans the skyline.  Time, that sometimes feels stolen, and sometimes feels gifted, falls away as somewhat meaningless, it all comes down to faith that the brass ring will grant him one more experience. 

‘UNSUNG HERO’

The subject of this portrait is performing a plate balancing act of keeping everything spinning as it’s “supposed to”.  Juggling the responsibilities of his multiple roles of husband, father, son, brother, employee, employer, manager, friend, coach, community leader and mentor can overwhelm at times as to which plate might fall and shatter.  The subject of this portrait does not see himself as a superhero even though he has the expectations of himself to behave like one.  Despite his best “A” efforts he only grades himself a “C-plus”, as shown on the emblem of his superhero uniform.  Although he extends great compassion for those in his life and community, he often judges himself rather critically.   His strong Scottish roots are depicted in his tartan cape, but even a hero’s cape can only withstand so much heat before it catches fire.  This man has a kind soul and giant heart that is portrayed in the bagpipes that he plays that bring immense joy not only to himself but all those around him. He is a giant who does not know that he is a giant and his lively spirit creates the energy of the painting. 

‘RE-FRAMING’

Scarred by an abusive experience in his youth, the subject of this painting has long struggled with how to show up in intimate relationships.   The unsatisfying relationships that he pursued are depicted by the naked women in the fantasy garden of the painting within the painting.  However, it is a superficial place where the water lacks reflection, and the objectified women are faceless.   He tried for years to ‘reframe’ his abuse as a "coming of age story" or as something traditionally more masculine in an attempt to replace feelings of pain, shame and guilt with ones of conquest.  However, the truth could not stay hidden and he has now found the courage to vulnerably get down off of his white horse that kept him unreachable and ‘slay his dragon’.  He is taking off his armour, removing his mask and is climbing with conscious intention out of an old story and into a more authentic place.  The new waters feel a little unsteady initially but they are pure, clean and forgiving. The cold and harsh crumbling wall of his history is no longer a place that he needs to attach himself to.  He is strong and courageous in his vulnerability.