Mark Anthony Jacobson native art on meeting the Ktunaxa nation

 Here is to wishing each and everyone a marvellous day and once again it is always a pleasure to share the journey and to keep my collectors, dealers, friends and family along with the many fans around the world up to date and current with regard to the happenings around Jacobson native art. 

I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting with chief Jason Louie and members of council from the great Ktunaxa nation this week. It was an honour to formally introduce ourselves and we all got quickly and positively acquainted with one another. We had such a wonderful conversation that went Into many creative initiatives and co collaborations. Even though our meeting was completely following Covid-19 protocols, we all got a great feeling from one another. 

I am looking forward to following up on our discussions and creating an exciting atmosphere of working together. They have many interesting portfolios and a beautiful community of souls that are working on growth, empowerment and continuing the advancement of our sovereignty as First Nations. In this climate of truth and reconciliation and for many of us uncovering the path of decolonization, I am very impressed with how the Ktunaxa are moving forward in the 21st century. 

Ever since coming to this territory of the great Ktunaxa nation, I have been meeting some amazing people in this region. The size and scope and pure vastness of the Ktunaxa lands are absolutely incredible and a true experience to behold. Here is to great opportunities unfolding as we continue to build the right relationships with those who understand and desire to work together and move forward as a people, as a nation. All my relations, MAJ

Explaining the artistic process of Mark Anthony Jacobson native art

Title of painting: Mother Nature in a dream state.

 Size: 48 x 72 inches. Sold to private collection, Montreal Que. 

Here’s to another wonderful day out here in the Kootenay mountains, the lands of the great Ktunaxa nation. We’ve gotten our first true snowfall of the year. During this season of the winter, I’ll be busy busy busy creating new paintings. I have several commissions to execute and I am working 0n collaborations and creative initiatives throughout Canada and abroad with regard to moving my creative energy in all sorts of new and exciting directions. 

I wanted to share some inside details as to what makes a “Jacobson“ a “Jacobson“ with regard to my creative process and practice as an Anishanabe artist. First of all, an open and clear mind sets the stage for better decision making and capacity for “in the moment” focus. This is the birthing place for me as an artist. Life has all kinds of distractions, situations, circumstances and problems along with the various issues we encounter along the journey with regard to people, places and events.

For me, that outside noise can be very distracting and so I need space to create. Psychic space is vital for freedom and quietness of mind, where the illumination of imagination rests. I prepare myself each and every time I create. I have my studio functioning in a manner that facilitates creative stimulation. A playful energy of excitement, joy, interest, focus and action. The way in how I maintain this environment is quite important to consistently “getting it right the first time” with my designs, the images, these blueprints of composition and technique in the art I create. 

Giving thanks each day is vital to maintaining a healthy attitude in today’s climate. I smudge and pray quite often and will use these ceremonies throughout a series of paintings that I’m working on. I use sage, sweet grass, cedar and tobacco to stay in the flow. I also do spring equinox and fall equinox ceremonies each year called “feasting the spirits” or a spirit feast. I do this to give thanks to the Creator, Mother Earth and all life force, creation. I do this to also give thanks to the ancestors. All those before us. To be mindful and appreciative of these things is a beautiful characteristic in ones Arsenal on living a human life on our Mother Earth. 

Life is a circle and what goes around comes around as they say. People before us have done these things and I find it to be important actions that one can experience to a deeper and more fruitful connection to the spirit of life, to all creation. Remember that for artists, consistency and playfulness are important elements in a creative life. Art should be what ever it wants to be in that sacred place of discovery and opportunity. 

In these particular realms is where I garner the best quality of energy for me to maintain what it takes to finish off either a painting or a series of paintings. The less distractions for me, the better. As we know life is ripe with all sorts of temptations and side tracks. Focus daily in the direction of our art and making it is vital to a healthy creative lifestyle.

Along with some ceremony to get in the flow, I listen to all sorts of music as well. Music is also a great facilitator of creative energy. Most of my work is done on my own, except for the times involved where I’ve had people apprentice with me during cycles of paintings and such. So with the amount of time to ones self, being comfortable in your own skin is a necessary skill in your creative portfolio. Art demands attention, it demands your time and focus. 

I have all sorts of other people’s artworks surrounding me in the studio as well. I collect First Nations art myself. I love our artforms across the country from coast to coast to coast. I have several pieces and find such a depth and quality in being a collector as well. Art heals and for me it is a true gift to be an artist and  also one who enjoys the art of others as much as making it.

Any how, this is a general outline of how I do what I do. Art is about relationships and in nature spirit is where I truly get to be “in tune” with the true depth and knowledge of these teachings. Mother Earth is my teacher in so many ways, it leaves me speechless. So I have to go out and make a painting of what I saw, of what I experienced. This is another reason why so many people resonate with my art. It speaks...

All my relations....MAJ

Jacobson native art on being invited to the Robert and Reg Davidson potlatch up in Haida Gwaii

 Good day to each and everyone. Life is well and I am feeling very inspired with the direction my life is going in. Living here on the great Ktunaxa nation deep in the Kootenay mountains is absolutely magnificent. I wake up every day feeling happy, joyous and inspired about life. 

I wanted to share my experiences with the great Haida nation and my invitation to the potlatch of the great Robert and Reg Davidson. Brothers who exemplify cultural pride and masterful talent in the art world. These artists are true magicians to their people. To witness the reverence And cultural pride that the Haida people revered these 2 masters was absolutely incredible. 

Their significance and cultural pride was truly something to behold. It was over 4 days and I had the honour to be invited to participate and share in the history of their people. It was so beautiful and brought up in me a depth of pride and love that humbled me for my entire experience, there. 

Watching the 4 day ceremony and participating in their protocols was a treasure for me which I’ll always behold as life changing. I got to see first hand how important our artforms are to an entire nation of people. How the ceremonies, stories, songs and teachings were revered by their people. It was such a celebration of beauty and story telling. The Davidson brothers released 22 sub crests throughout their artform. Each was something to be so incredibly moved by. 

I learned then on a deeper level than before on just how important our roles are as artists, as visionaries for the people. We are the culture bearers for our society, our clan systems, our teachings and ceremonies. We are the magicians of the earth. The wayshowers for our people, for all people. This is the true role of the artist. 

Enjoy these photographs and the beauty of the Haida nation. What a privilege and thank you for all the love and support of my art and culture of the great Anishanabe. All my relations MAJ

Jacobson native art is now available to educators, institutions and native organizations...

To all educators, institutions, native organizations: 

I’m opening up time slots across Canada with all schools/programs who want to do zoom/FaceTime classes online with me. The concept will be my Ojibway animal clan totem and clan teachings, book. 

This package is all available through my award winning children’s book (for all ages) titled: Ojibway clans - animal totems and spirits. This book will be the premise and discussion points, making the art and the symbols outlining the class focus. 

Please get in touch with me at: jacobson101@hotmail.com as spots are now being taken and worked out....thank you. All my relations...MAJ

What people are saying about Mark Anthony Jacobson native art

Good afternoon friends. Here’s to wishing you all a beautiful day while we experience our first snow and a serious cold snap for October in 2020 deep in the Kootenay mountains. I wanted to designate this post on the new website to what some of my art collectors and admirers are saying about my art works and their personal experiences. 

The above painting was done over 20 years ago. I created this piece in the year 2000 while living in Toronto, Ontario. I recently got a call from the president of the Canadian race relations foundation in Toronto last week. He called to let me know that he is the new president and that this original painting hangs in his new office. 

We hit it off immediately and had a well rounded discussion on matters effecting the cultural fabric of this country. We both agreed that much needs to be done about race relations in Canada and that systemic racism is a serious problem that needs much healing. Generations of colonialism has not only effected us First Nations, but the average Canadian citizen seems to be suffering just as much. There is so much room for growth and potential with regard to these matters. All in time I suppose and I look forward to being a part of the solution rather than the continuing problem. 

I wanted to share what others have had to say about my works as well so here is a list of these comments and I feel such love and appreciation from these magical souls themselves. I consider it a privilege to be able to touch people through my art. It is one of many factors that inspire me to do what I do. So with that, here are some of these experiences to share:

Peter Bolle: From the first time I encounter woodlands art on a business trip to Vancouver, I have wanted to own a piece of my own.  A few years back Mark posted a pair of totems for sale and I simply had to have them. When they arrived I was in awe of their beauty and vivid colors.  Had them framed and hung them over the fireplace.

I loved them So much I had a peice commissioned of two loons and their young, on a lake in the evening with the moon shining above.

Loons for me strike a special core in my soul, their calls draw your ear skyward in hopes of hearing it again.  I look at this piece of woodlands art and can hear the loons call in the night.Thank you Mark for putting my thoughts to the canvas I admire them each night before I head to bed.

Mohammed Hashim - president of the Canadian race relations foundation:

Your work grounded me. It reminded me of our interconnectedness but also of our interdependency. It reminded me, for whom we gather and the spirit in which we must move forward. 

I’m truly honoured to have your painting in my office. I was on a video call with all the CEOs of all the national museums in Canada and pointed your painting out, told them about you and your son and how you asked us all to walk together in peace. 

We might be ‘Split Spirits’ but we from one Creator.

Mandy W:

When I first saw  Mark Anthony Jacobson's art hanging in a shop it really leaped off the wall at me.  The lines are so traditional but the colours are so modern and exciting.  It's like they give the old narrative a fresh tongue, commanding attention.  Old stories and ideas are again relevant when an artist can draw people in, in a really beautiful way.  I love the successful marriage between the beauty and the deep thoughtfulness in his work.

Krysalis bliss from Facebook:

Mark, YOU are a precious gift. My very first experience was when I watched “There are No Fakes”, the documentary of an Indigenous legacy artist your friend, Norval Morriseau. I remember pausing the movie and then writing your name down and googling it. Your art hit smack the center of my soul. I had to know more! I then found you right here on FB. I felt your intregrity on the spot with all the tireless efforts you sent forth with that incredible documentary. Thank you for that!! An immediate soul brother connection indeed. Everytime i hear the word Indigenous my heart leaps and sings! 

Your colour composition is off the hook. The layers of ancient tribal spirits pushing thru the paint on your canvas, begging for a voice, honoured that you embodied their soul. Your style is so clean and the flow is endless. I could spend all day drowning in your paintings and every time feeling ever SO complete and whole with my Native roots. My ancestors echoing out thru your work. You my beautiful friend, i am so incredibly grateful that Spirit showed me the way to finally connect with your energy and light. You are the most kindest Being always walking in grace. You inspire me to go deeper with my own work, you always have something to share with my art that quite honestly motivates me to keep at it, layer after layer.  Bless bless you Mark, we are all so touched by your love, your warm spirit, your guidance, strength, and your truly one of a kind healing art. Love and Blessings bestowed upon you and all your relations, Krysalis Bliss 

Marlene Collins:

Tapwe 

This is a Cree word meaning TRUTH, Mark Anthony Jacobson is a true artist his images, his dedication and his use of spirit animals, bold beautiful colours makes me think of being in a magical place where everything and everyone understands each other,everyone at peace and we actually see why as indigenous people we are guardians of this small planet we call home.
I wish you nothing but success, great adventures and tons of happiness, sending positive thoughts, energy and love  my friend.

A special thank you to each of you and I’m honoured and grateful. May the sun continue to shine its light in your life and onto your loved ones. With love and respect...all my relations, MAJ

Mark Anthony Jacobson native art gallery and art for sale?

It is a beautiful day today out here in the Kootenay mountains. The seasons of change are upon us.  Life is shifting day by day as we prepare for the winter months, those winter moons. I also wanted to mention that I get emails quite regularly and a common theme in them these days is, how do I acquire new works?

They ask for any galleries that may have new paintings and I am glad to announce that I have chosen a new path forward and that the only way to get new works is directly through me. So far all new customers have been delighted and are excited to work with me exclusively.

I feel way more at ease dealing with people in this fashion and prefer this method moving forward. This new site will be the place to inquire about all new works in the studio. I will have many limited edition prints available as well here at this site. 

This new painting I did to honour my son Sagein Wisdom is in his private collection. We will be releasing limited edition prints of this painting to also give honour to all of our children upon Mother Earth. The original measures in size at 36 x 48 inches. We will offer prints in 18 x 24 inches, 24 x 30 inches, 30 x 40 inches and perhaps 36 x 48 inches as well. You can contact us and make arrangements for preorders at: jacobson101@hotmail.com 

Once again thank you to each and everyone of you who appreciate my works of art and I look forward to moving into the future with all of you. All my relations, MAJ 

Here’s a few photos of the outdoor art studio....deep in the Kootenay’s

 This first photo here is all custom built and designed. By a wonderful father and son combination here in the Kootenay’s. This community has welcomed us with open arms and we feel honoured that we have the privilege and respect to share the art form and the cultural teachings with all who come. 

Here’s another view upon entering the grounds of the art studio. You’ll see us getting our winter wood ready as well as that is a bigtime must for those of us living in the mountains. The pace of daily life out here is all dependent on how you choose to embrace all 4 seasons. Preparation is a huge asset in one’s character out here, that’s for sure. 

This 3rd photo brings in a cool perspective of what’s going on here as well. Giving people the opportunity to become a part of the circle in my cultural practices along with the spirit of creativity and that powerful energy. To be all inclusive and to always remain welcoming are fundamental teachings to us Anishanabe that go way way back, much before settler contact. These are the old teachings that still must be practiced daily, even under pressure and difficulty. 

Here is a scared space created where visitors to the studio can smudge, can pray and meditate. They can come and sing their songs here too. All are welcome. The ancestors desire for our ways to be shared. We are the spirit of these ways of the land and of the waters. Our culture is filled with such richness and depth. We have a saying called: All my relations that means exactly what it says. I believe 9n this with all my heart and soul. 

Here’s an art sculpture I built on a meditation I had here while developing this outdoor studio concept. The whole theme is like having a sacred amulet of well-beingness and protection. The spirit loves pretty things. Colour and magic is everywhere...all my relations. 

The sacredness of the eagle staff is of major importance and has major significance for us First Nations. It is a symbol of strength, governance and empowerment that entails a spirit of sovereignty and dignity and pride that is quite distinguishing in our spirit world and understandings. The eagle staff has been with our people’s for tens of thousands of years. Thus coming before any flag either Canadian or American. These are old school teachings that come with those who carry the staffs. All my relations. 

Some of my limited edition prints I have available at the studio. They all come with the title and story to each piece as well. A wonderful edition for with the new or seasoned art collector. All my relations. 

A place for the opportunity to receive signed and personally autographed copies of my award winning children’s book: Ojibway clans - animal totems and spirits. Along with personally hand picked art cards being shown as the wonderful forms of art each card is. Along with a Jacobson original hanging on the wall. Along with my own fabric being laid on that very wall...

Here’s a wall shot inside the studio space. Always a reminder with this Norval Morrisseau piece to be very very careful when playing with snakes. Obsessions are dangerous but people can be even deadlier. I hang this Morrisseau as a reminder to be very wise in whom comes to my inner circle. After the experience with the movie there are no fakes, I learned a great deal about how shallow human beings really are. The chest plate made out of bullets is a reminder that I am a true warrior for my people, for all people. 

A table to paint on, a place to create. I use easels as well but when doing my finishing processes and touches, I prefer a flatter surface 9n which to navigate those lines and details. So, there you have it, a soft walk through the space and what I’m beginning to envision while being here in this art community deep in the Kootenay mountains. Here’s to another beautiful day of life upon our Mother Earth. All my relations...MAJ

The sign is up and I’m ready to go...

 

 Good morning to each and everyone. It is a colder October morning here with Scattered clouds and some sun. I’m excited today because I’m having soft openings all week Up until it snows. I’ll be working on some 30 new paintings in various stages. 

I’ll have some originals available, prints, children’s books along with some clothing designs and specialized art cards. I’ll be working on new paintings and sharing the depth and richness of our cultural ways in the outdoor studio.

Here are a couple pictures of the sign and the banners I just got done. I’m excited about the quality of energy being presented and I feel so thankful for this new direction. Making some new moves for the future of who we are. All are welcome. I desire to be all inclusive making room for every new soul I meet.

Wish me luck. Thank you kindly for the love and support of our dreams, our culture, our future. All my relations, MAJ 

Sharing the wisdom of the spirit - Jacobson native art

Good evening everyone. At my new outdoor art studio will be this medicine table. A place where the public can smudge with me and the power of my ancestors. To have dialogue with our Creator. With each other...

          Looking forward to sharing beauty and kindness. Deep in the Kootenay mountains. 

         All my relations...MAJ

Found myself chasing rainbows in the sun!

A beautiful ride today in these spectacular mountains. I am feeling blessed and happy about life these days. I’m so grateful for my lifestyle and the connection I have to the spirit of our Mother Earth. I love exploring the majesty of nature spirit and the animal life upon her. I come across grizzlies, brown bears, black bears, a couple cougars now, eagles, hawks, deer, elk and all sorts of bird species throughout here. 

I recently put out another “spirit feast” for this next yearly cycle of life existence. I go out to these mountains and bring medicines, tobacco offerings, spirit food and I sing to the spirit of Mother Earth. I offer these blessings to the ancestors and give thanks to the Creator. I think of those in our world that are struggling and that are suffering and I think and pray for them and their loved ones. It is good medicine to do so. 

Others have done this for me and it is a responsibility to carry on these teachings. My family is strong with regard to our cultural ways. I am blessed in this manner and feel honoured with such good teachers in my family bloodline. Being Anishanabe is so beautiful. I am proud of who I am and proud of my heritage. It is a profound experience to be so connected to who I am. Decolonization is a reality that seemed so far out of reach until I took action to change the path. I am a sovereign. My sovereignty as Anishanabe is perhaps the greatest truth I’ve ever known...it’s like finding your wings. 

All my relations...MAJ 

Jacobson art studio open to the public

 I have been busy during this covid-19 thinking on how to offer my knowledge and experience of the art world to the public. I believe I’ve come up with a fantastic solution. I’ll be opening up my art studio and practice as an artist to the public to share in the teachings of my culture and this art form. I’m excited to finally be in a place where I feel I’m ready and in a good place to do so. 

After the Norval Morrisseau art fraud fiasco and unravelling a ton of sickness and garbage from both sides of the coin, meaning the good guys and the bad guys involved, it got to be too heartbreaking. I focused on our son and on living a new life out here in the Kootenay’s. The change has been divine to say the least. 

I also learned a valuable lesson in the Canadian art scene. During this entire covid-19 experience, not one of these Canadian art galleries even called or asked how I was doing, on how my son is and such. Absolutely nothing. It’s really empty and cold in my view now. I made many of these galleries and dealers  10’s of thousands of dollars and not a peep. I came to conclude that in the era of truth and reconciliation, in a time where decolonization is the new light for us and my people the great Anishanabe, there was zero efforts by any of these so-called art dealers. 

It’s quite embarrassing and disappointing if you ask me. Not for me, but for them. That their hearts are that way. It was just pathetic and thus I came to a place where I’ve decided to move on. This has now empowered me and my brand to what is the next level for me. Ive also got some exciting new activity shaping up in Europe so, the time for international connections and such is most definitely upon me. 

Who needs the heartache and constant let down from such dubious characters anyhow. With me at the helm, being fully responsible for everything I’m doing, it feels way more exciting. No reliance on outside sources trying to make a quick buck on my back. I make the decisions and shall reap the benefits of my success and hard work. Especially for my son, Sagein. My real boss and the one I work For now...

Also, this studio doesn’t need to be advertised. You have to find me out here. Customers and collectors will have to make the efforts to reach out and find out where I’m at and how to view and purchase the new art. With my new energy manifesting in Europe, the new open studio being available to the world public out here, I feel that I’m unstoppable. I am...

All my relations....MAJ