Colleen Gray
Storytelling Artist
My Home: I was born and grew up in Petawawa, Ontario, Canada; a place made perfect by the local beach, deep-hole swamps, turtle ponds and the beauty of the Canadian Shield - sacred ground for a curious child. My Mother’s people are Mi’kmaq and Acadian and my Father’s people are the smiling Irish. I was not raised in my culture but I have been living and working according to the tenants of my Ancestors for most of my life. I’m proud of my Indigenous heritage and the values we live by.
My work: I paint from my personal experiences and observations. Inspiration comes in many forms. I try to walk in a good way and hope I am bringing benefit to the world through the work I do. My core belief system is rooted in kindness; I believe in art’s kindness and in its power to invite positive change into our lives.
I enjoy working in several mediums, but my passion lies in watercolour on synthetic paper. The sometimes unpredictable effects of this platform are exciting and unique. When done with dedication, it becomes a meditative process that teaches us to slow down, minimize our scope, and focus on the smaller details.
Stories and representatives of the Spirit World are prominently featured in my work. The stories are a vital component of my artwork - all of life has a story. My work often reflects the state of our only home, the Earth. It also echoes the frustrations of my fellow human beings who struggle with racism, poverty and conflict nearly every single day because of colonial restraints that are still being fought against today. Art is a voice.
My Mission: My volunteer work through The Art For Aid Project is important to me as a person and as an artist. Schools often fall short of art resources and art offers a platform for self-expression that invites healing and provides creative opportunities. For over a decade I’ve donated my time and efforts to building Art for Aid. It is entirely volunteer run. Art helps Indigenous youth in resource challenged communities to pass the time in a constructive and creative way. Art is a safe portal where the imagination can soar and where youth can give themselves over to the creative process.
In 2021 I began to sell my original artwork to supplement our household income. This allows me to continue to run Art for Aid as a volunteer. Thank you for supporting independent Canadian artists.
