This six panel, 5 ft x 17 ft acrylic & copper on canvass painting was envisioned in the winter of 2008 and finished at 4 a.m. on the morning of September 6, 2008; the opening day of the "Spirit" art exhibition.

This painting came about as a visual (or visionary) response to complex feelings about events related to Morrisseau's translation (or death).

The greater vision of the Grand Shaman transported in a majestic canoe with all he would need for the afterlife was my original "inspiration". There were to be delightful creatures and soft meadows in the foreground with all manner of creatures watching him pass by.

There was also the lesser vision that was useful for "impetus". That of the forces in darkness transforming into hungry sharks and devious demons disguised as associates and relatives along with the curious multitudes. And in this vision lay my comrade frozen on a slab of coldness, waiting for the pyre to light.

An "impetus" and "inspiration" fueled this piece however I wasn't constrained by the raw vision. Refining the vision over the course of completing a painting is one of the great pleasures of trusting yourself to the creative process.

Over the coming days I would like to share my process, discovery and interpretation of this painting because I believe that its message has a significant value. Norval often said, "I let the paintings speak for themselves" - and he is right, they do. Yet in silence they speak differently to different people. Legends tell particular stories for specific reasons. They are meant to be commonly understood.

"A Great Spirit" is a mural that tells the tale of the Legend of Copper Thunderbird...

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