For the love of black and whites @ Jacobson native art 2021

Good afternoon to all my visitors, collectors and fans. Here’s to another blessed day of being alive and moving forward one day at a time. Although this pandemic has taken a real toll on our capacity for social relationships, sharing together and enjoying one another’s company, we must soldier on. Prayers and blessings for those going through a challenging time. Healing for those suffering. 

I wanted to share some inspiration through art and my cultural heritage. I have always been fond of the black and white drawings/paintings I’ve done. They are quite distinguishable from my use of colours. But have their own life force none the less. Working in this format helps to broaden the creative scope and vision of an Anishanabe woodland style artist. 

This process affords the artist to learn and grow with regard to line and form. The subject matter grows, refines itself through this process. We can find new imagery and designs in this flow. A way to work out the details and composition to a more refined state in result. Reminds me of our medicine scrolls and indeed that is exactly how I see these images myself. Rebirthing the stories and teachings of the animal clan council. 

I am honoured and thankful for the wisdom of our mother earth. Our ancestors knew this importance and understanding. It is our responsibility to continue to share these fundamentals and to give our history and teachings new life throughout every generation from this to the next. I truly love being an artist, a storyteller, a visionary. It is an honour to share these with each of you. Wishing you all continued strength and power....all my relations, MAJ 

Spending time in nature spirit @ Jacobson native art

 

Good afternoon to each and everyone. The seasons are changing once again as we enter into the beauty of another cycle of life existence. I am honoured and grateful for the connection to Mother nature out here deep in the Kootenay mountains. The vastness is just incredible and awe inspiring. I love to go adventure out deep in these mountains. There is so much to discover, see and experience. 

During many of my journeys out here I happened one day to come across this little cabin. It is a ski cabin deep in the mountains here. It is open to public access but I have to admit, it’s really hard to find. I have come here throughout my seasons to come up and paint here. It has a lovely little wood stove as well. 

It has a fire pit too for cooking and enjoying the benefits of eating supper right out here. I bring my kindling and a few split logs as well to keep things running warm up here. The perspectives of viewing the mountainous surroundings are outstanding. I have a small table and a couple chairs and I’m ready to go. 

I also would like to add that I’m a big fan of the “Artists way”. It is a wonderful companion to my creative energy and artistic process. It has numerous weekly tasks to do including a process called “morning pages”. I use this book and the information involved as one of my tools for maintaining my creative path. 

The quietness and stillness of mind is for me, a very integral part of creating my art. It sets the stage for the energy and imagery to come together. I hardly ever rework a design. Once it comes it comes out right, the first time. That is the beauty of creative self maintenance. It is important to take out the time for this as an artist. To restock the creative well. To feed our soul new energies, new experiences and new visions. 

Any how, I thought it would be fantastic to share some of these experiences and lengths I go to make art. The artistic process is just as much important as the art itself. These experiences help to foster greater growth and discovery. I love being an artist. I love connecting to the wisdom of our Mother Earth. Once again it is a great energy and experience to share some of these teachings and processes with all of you who come to visit. Wishing you all a great new awareness for the spring equinox of 2021. All my relations....MAJ

In honour of my son and the “Changes” always taking shape @ Jacobson native art

 Just a lil message from us here at Jacobson native art that life and its processes are full of changes. Feeling super grateful for the beauty and power of my lil son, Sagein Wisdom. An honour to walk 9n beauty with him each and every day. 

I’m putting the past behind me...my son is the investment of my future, his future. Enjoy this slice of heaven from Ozzy and his daughter Kelly, Changes:

All my relations, MAJ

Mark Anthony Jacobson native art & my experiences around the Norval Morrisseau film: There are no fakes

 Good afternoon to each and everyone who continues to find my new site here at Jacobson native art. It has been a few moons since the release of this film and as executive producer of, I have some things I want to share about it now. First off, I’m glad that we had the opportunity to tell this story through film and to reach out to many new people as the direct result. It was always a powerful story that needed to be told and shared. 

I first met Norval Morrisseau in 2005 in Nanaimo B.C. It was one of the greatest moments of my life. At this point I had been working and mastering the woodland art form for 20 years exactly. It was a brilliant meeting for the both of us. At that point, Norval was confined to his wheelchair and was struggling with Parkinson’s disease. He never had dementia as it was falsely reported by the likes of those shady websites in the Norval Morrisseau blog and the hoax exposed blogs. Both heavily involved in trying to make fakes, authentic. 

It was at that time during my visits with Norval that I began to be educated by him about the grave nature of this problem. I was shown dozens and dozens of examples both in catalogues and the Internet by Norval, Gabe and Michelle Vadas. Norval himself had asked me to help him. He had specifically invited me into this realm because he knew that I would help. And I have. Without a shadow of doubt, I made all the moves necessary to have found the results I did by the production of this film. 

Look, the truth is that none of this would have happened, if it wasn’t for a serendipitous meeting between Dallas and I. Exposing the truth about these fakes, the fraud ring in Thunder Bay ont, exposing a serial rapist and getting him convicted on multiple counts, Justice and vindication for not only Norval Morrisseau, the sexual assault survivors, for kevin hearn and his lawyer in Jonathan Sommer, but also the estate of Morrisseau and countless collectors, galleries, museums and institutions. 

Same can be said for everyone else who attached their name to this movie. By the time the film came out last year, I had spent nearly 15 years of my life on this. It definitely ranks as one of the worst experiences I have ever gone through in my entire life. The amount of filth, disgust, brokenness, horrifying truths, lies and deceptions, threats, intimidation, betrayal and let down was absolutely over the top. 

And this was on both sides of the coin, the bad guys and the good. The reality is that unfortunately this film brought out the worst in many people tied to it. Including myself at times. The level of mistaking friendship and trust throughout this ordeal was really the backbone for me saying: “FUCK THIS“ to everyone associated with this film, excluding both Dallas and Kevin Hearn. Because they were the only 2 solid people that remained until the very end. Even in that, I took a break from them as well. I needed it, we all kinda needed it. 

Many souls around the world have now had a chance to see this film. This is a good thing. Although it has been a very deep and painful experience, I hope one day to see even further results of all the efforts and work that was done and continues to be done as the result of this dedicated service that a few of us put together. It was the fraud of Norval Morrisseau that had first brought me into this scenario. I knew the task ahead of me was quite monumental. Nor Norval himself, neither gabe or michelle, nor Ritchie Sinclair or bryant ross, not kevin hearn or any lawyers before hand could fix this. 

Not the likes of KRG, not the NMHS, no institution or even any police force across Canada knew the depth of this rabbit hole. It was when the information about rape, violence, drugs and assaults that had came forward through Dallas and I sharing our experiences that the truth became known. It was then around 2011 that this entire focus shifted from art fraud to the rape and crimes of a serial sexual predator who was discovered as the suspected head of this Norval Morrisseau art fraud ring, deep in the heart of Thunder Bay, ont. 

I was flown to Toronto for the opening of this film last year. I have to say that I was appalled at the level of disrespect and disgusting attitudes of the director of this film in Jamie Kastner. I always felt that since meeting him there was something “not right” about him. He shamed me for bringing my family to the movie premiere saying he only wanted me there, and not my family. He called me a 2 bit hustler when I wanted to share my art and culture during the after party of the premiere. 

I brought my paintings and such to add to the event, to be a blessing of indigenous culture and sharing the strength and power of my art. To support all the efforts in regards to saving the lives of countless victims and of the art and legacy of my friend and mentor in Norval Morrisseau. That the circle is strong with what I bring to the table. I told Jamie Kastner where to go, and educated this Frankenstein colonized mindset of his that most people in my circles buddy would consider me a hero for getting involved in this story in the ways that I did. 

But this piece of garbage in Kastner tried to belittle me and my integrity as someone who was and is so intimately involved with really opening up this whole story. It left such a bad taste in my heart and the fact that people like Kastner are peppered all over the Canadian film industry. It really grossed me out and because of assholes like him I had to step back and really process all these events in their true light. I think I’ve done that and during this time of healing my heart and soul through this, I’ve found a place now within where I can actually tell my side of this story. 

Some how in all this, I got left out. They didn’t give me any interviews, They feared me and so they went to any and all lengths to try and control this narrative. At the end of the day, I let them. I gave up trying to be heard because I suppose there were those who desired that spotlight for themselves. Nevermind this Indian in me. I didn’t look the part I suppose. They couldn’t control me. So they acted out of fear. At this stage of the game, I don’t really care about it so much any more. More will be revealed...this story isn’t over.

The black dry brush fakes are only one wave. There are several waves of fake Norval Morrisseau paintings and prints peppered all over the Internet like ebay, kigigi, auction houses, shady galleries and their dealers. Prominent Canadian art galleries have been selling dozens and dozens of these suspected second, third, fourth and fifth waves etc. of different fakes other than the now common and distinct black dry brush fakes. 

The above 4th photo here shows one of these fraudulent waves of fake Norval Morrisseau paintings. This particular forgery is very distinct from those black dry brush abominations, (Norvals exact words for them). This period came before the black dry brush, actually. This particular wave is sourced from the Yorkville gallery district in the heart of downtown Toronto. This wave came in the late 1980’s all throughout the 1990’s and even into the 2000’s. 

I know who this forger is. I contacted him on line, twice. Once 10 years ago and recently about 3 months ago. I told him that I suspect it’s you....chief. I’ve studied his weak originals and have compared his personal techniques in his own woodland art style and then I’ve compared those techniques to this example and several others and indeed in my professional opinion and experience, it’s the same fuckin artist. I know it, he knows it and we’ll see if the police across this country can see it too. 

It will never be a complete investigation if the other waves of the Norval Morrisseau fakes don’t get dealt with. It’s a funny thing with true experience and understanding. Ive been given an inside view of the world of art forgery because of my friendship with Norval Morrisseau. I am regarded as one of the true living masters of this style of indigenous art called the woodland school. It is an honour for me to keep pushing it forward, in my style and in my techniques.

 I know that somewhere in this universe, the spirits look upon me and smile. I know that indeed my friend and mentor in Norval Morrisseau after all of this looks upon me and smiles too. Knowing full well that I did my duty. I took it all to task. I did my part in helping to set the record straight. At the end of the day I want it to always be known that I did this all for free, from my heart because I always believed it was the right thing to do. I did it for love...for the love of my people. The great Anishanabe.

All my relations, Mark Anthony Jacobson - Rainbow Thunderbird

Being a 60’s scoop survivor @ Jacobson native art

 My dealings with Canada as a First Nations soul has been absolutely tragic and heartbreaking on many levels. The hijacking of our land, the continual theft of our natural resources, colonial and cultural genocide, residential schools, stealing our children, the violence, the forceful control of being on reserves, the racism, the discrimination, the prejudice and violations of our human rights for 500 plus years now is absolutely disgusting. 

The truth is and continues to be that Canada was and is built on racism. It’s sickening. The perverse colonial mind set continues to roll on through in this, the 21st century. It’s sad and absolutely appalling on all levels with regard to being a human being. The destruction of our cultural practices, trying to wipe out our languages, stealing our cultural artifacts, dishonouring the treaties, wiping out and outlawing ceremonies,...the list goes on and on and on. 

And even under this darkness that colonialism is, we as First Nations continue to thrive and live. We continue to find our ways, we continue to heal and rise. And even in that, we First Nations continue to be welcoming and forgiving. We continue to share our love for not only the sacredness of the earth, but each other. 

What makes us even more powerful is that through the abuse and torture of colonialism we are forced to learn your ways, as settlers. Your languages, your history, your mathematics, your religion, your laws and your education. And on that we must rediscover who we are as indigenous, as First Nations, as Anishanabe. We literally have to live in 2 worlds. That of this perverse colonial system and that of our own history, our own teachings, native laws, cultural history, stories, songs, ceremonies and the arts. We literally have to learn how to think and live like an Indian in a white mans world. Even in that, what have you truly learned of us? 

That is what being a 60’s scoop survivor means to me. Through these lessons and experiences that I have gone through I have found the secret path. I have learned to free myself through these experiences. I learned that I did not have to identify with my abuser, in being a Canadian. I could be an Indian, an Anishanabe soul, entitled to my sovereignty as First Nations. That I could find my own way, my own beingness. 

I shared a post recently in this regard. I have a lot of support on social media. I am grateful for the connections and relationships that I’ve built and have over the years with those who fully support us and desire to work with us and not against us. Here is a sample of that post:

 I am very thankful that my teachings and experiences can have a powerful impact on the lives of others. That’s what sharing from the heart is all about. Something I’ve certainly discovered that the average Canadian settler/immigrant struggles to do with us as First Nations. It all comes down to perspective. My activism is and will always be about speaking truth to power. All my relations...MAJ