"I was born in Red Deer Alberta
and
I have lived across Canada.
I am a mother,
and
always a student.
I study my past,
so that,
I may better understand my future.
I paint my family.
they are as beautiful as this land!
I try to paint them
as if, they were the same.
Through my application of paint I try to "burn/brand" my images onto the canvas. All of my peoples flesh are painted as if they were made from "Burnt Wood".My grandmother told me that they used to call her "Bois Brule" and they used to "hiss" Metis-ssssss! Grandma thought it was a derogatory name, but I think "burnt wood is beautiful, because it makes me feel warm."
- Tannis Neilsen
