The greatest love of my life is this lil guy - the CEO of Jacobson native art

 

Good morning to each and everyone. Just had an amazing day taking my boy out for his first full atv experience deep in the mountains. With spring time opening up more of the trails it was time to take him on this incredible ride. We travelled about 50km on these beautiful and stunning trails together and he was in absolute Mother Nature paradise today. He was beaming with joy and totally enjoyed every single minute of it.

Pictured here: Dadda and baby boy having fun

Here is my boy having a “Anishanabe zen moment” as he takes it all in having had the journey of his life going to places most people only see in their dreams or on postcards. For me, there is nothing greater than having the opportunity each and every day to hang out with this amazing and dazzling light. He truly is my everything. My dream come true. That’s what I tell him every single day. Being with him at this stage of my life is really the icing on the cake. I now know what selfless true love is. It’s being a caring and responsible father to your child each and every day. Nothing in this world can ever replace that. Nothing should ever get in the way of this. 

Ever since his birth I’ve been on this absolutely most incredible journey of discovery. As I’ve mentioned I have never met any soul in my entire life who has impacted such change in my life, in who I am. My little teacher, the one who moved mountains in dadda. What can I say but that I’m eternally grateful for your existence, your precious soul and life. 

My beautiful boy, my hope in a future where true love will continue to reign through our Jacobson name for many future generations to come. This is my ultimate wish, to be the father I never had and to continue our incredible and awesome journey together as father and son. 

This ones for you, Sagein Wisdom. A special message between us in this track from dadda to you...

Artist/DJ: Kiko Navarro & Nader Behravan - Sounds of my breath 

With all my love,  MAJ

Living deep in the heart of Mother Earth and enjoying our life @ Jacobson native art

Good morning to each and everyone who continues to find me here @ Jacobson native art. I hope you are all dealing with the winter season as best as you all can. Up here in the mountains it gets pretty wild with the amount of snow that can happen within 24 hours. I’m grateful for my ATV and snow plow. It gets super tough moving the amount of snow with just a shovel. You need a machine to help you with that out here. 

I had a wonderful day with my son the other day and got to take him up the mountain to visit a friend of mine and spend some time doing some surveying of the land. My boy got to experience binoculars for the very first time and these were high powered and he instantly fell in love with them. He was super excited to get to see across the lake and check out the mountains and forests across kootenay lake. 

For me these are the best days of my life. My son is always beaming with joy and is full of excitement and energy every time we get a chance to go exploring. I take him quading as well and the smiles he gives me when we are riding together is absolutely priceless. His happiness and joy is mine as well. We are a team out here sharing the best of what nature spirit has to offer. 

It’s a big change from living in Vancouver but for the last 5 years of being out here deep in the Kootenay mountains, it is definitely the best decision for not only my son but for me as well. The space and freedom out here is timeless. It is such a rich and diverse energy and to be raising my boy in all this Mother Nature splendour is truly the best time of my life. My boy is my everything. He is the future of Jacobson native art. 

All my relations, MAJ 

Here’s a cool track that my boy and I like by SDK, track title: What they want

Digging ourselves out of 6 to 8 feet of snow in the last 72 hours @ Jacobson native art

It has been a super blast of overwhelming snow over the last 72 hours out here in the Kootenay mountains.  This is our official welcome to 2022. Not so much of a happy new year but a real tiring dig from this merciless snow storm. We are now into day 6 of snow, snow and guess what? More snow. 

I’m feeling a bit discouraged today by this relentless beating we are all taking out here. Our car is now stuck, I have aches and pains all over my body, my quad is tired and is having difficulty moving all this snow. I can’t move much today. I’m tired...

Also, our little community of 350 souls is running out of food supplies, gas and pretty much everything else. Before we got stuck last night, we had to drive for 4 hours to get a loaf of bread. We picked up a few loafs plus extra food supplies and gassed up in the city of Creston BC. The drive back home was treacherous to say the least. I feel super thankful that we made it home albeit getting stuck at the bottom of our driveway. 

There were dozens of cars, trucks and transports on the side of the highway. Very brutal to see the devastation happening out here. We will continue to try to deal with this but today I surrender to Mother Earth. You win...momma. 

All my relations, MAJ

Poof! And just like that...everything changed

See that little guy right up there:

He is my number 1. All my decisions are based on what is the best for him. What is best for him and in how I treat him is what is best for me. Anything else besides that? 

Night night. 

Sincerely,

MAJ

Massive 3 day Power outage Deep in the Kootenay mountains 2021

 

Good evening to each and everyone. It’s amazing how we take so much for granted at times. We were recently hit with a 3 day power outage during what was a freak storm for 20 minutes but wreaked havoc for hundreds,of thousands of souls all throughout the Kootenay’s. Hundreds of trees down and power lines fallen everywhere. 

Here is a wonderful shot of my boy observing the element of fire. Growing up out here in the wilderness has greatly effected my sons growth and confidence being out in nature spirit. He loves it and embraces the every day experiences of being out here. I take him quading out here as well and he absolutely loves that too. Daddy time for him and he always looks up at me and smiles during our rides. 

During this power outage I went deep up the mountain and found a bunch of fallen trees etc on the trails. I even went as far as I could but was once again humbled by the mountain. I started spinning in the snow and was several kilometres away from civilization. I recognized it was time to slowly retrace my trail up this road and reverse back down to some sand and rock. I managed and made it safely back home. Enjoy your evening everyone and indeed we got our power back on today...all my relations...MAJ

Winter riding deep in the mountains @ Jacobson native art

 Good afternoon friends. Just a wonderful day for a quick ride in the mountains. I absolutely love riding my quads out here. The perspectives are magnificent and awe inspiring every single time. The joy and freedom of connecting to this out here is just awesome. The impacts nature spirit has had on me these last few years is transcendent. 

I love listening to super cool tunes as I’m riding through and just feel so free as a bird. I garner a whole new level of inspiration. No one out here but me and nature most of the time. It’s just us...Zipping along like the wind...

All my relations, MAJ 

The pride and joy @ Jacobson native art 2021

 Good afternoon to each and everyone. Wishing you the highest good as we all continue to endure this pandemic and the many struggles that are happening for millions of people worldwide. I have been struggling myself a little around here at the studio lately. I’ve had some weird outside energy pop into my life that was quite frankly, discriminatory. 

It is still so unfortunate that the reality is that the cultural fabric of this country and how the approach must be made better and better each and every day with regard to the educational process regarding colonialism and genocide to our people as First Nations.

It blows my mind just how unaware and how unfortunately, the average Canadian citizen’s mind set is in this regard. It breaks my heart to see and at times experience the uneducated Colonial mind set in action. This “me first” approach and the basis of “money is king” with regard to the structures of the Canadian society hierarchy are becoming more glaring and distinct in that very structure. 

I see it as the greatest weakness that the cultural fabric of this country has. It’s embarrassing and I find it a bit “slow in the head and heart”. I have always been about people coming together for the greater good. It’s the foundation of who I am. The very basis of our culture is that we are a loving and welcoming people. But I find it very disturbing really to experience such a vastness of this across these lands. 

One can most definitely say that the multi generational plans of colonialism have done not only a serious number on us First Nations, but it is quite evident that the average Canadian citizen has been blindsided by the effects of this as well. The wheels of injustice and the horrific reality of this ongoing genocide to us in the 21st century should move every Canadian soul to wanna change. To make it right. 

This truth will always be my greatest wish. To see a vision of real true healing take shape and help to create that missing link that is in all of our hearts on some level: somewhere we have forgotten that we are all one. This is the reality that I try to live and teach my boy each and every day. That he is a vital and sacred part in all life. That all life is sacred, is to be honoured and respected. I know that I will continue to be a voice for not only this generation, but for many generations to come. My teachings are in my art. I am a culture creator, a visionary, a storyteller. 

The power and legacy of my culture has taught me that. There are those of us who come to realize just how powerful they are. For me I will never surrender my sovereignty as Anishanabe to anyone. My cultural path and identity will remain with me forever. I have found my way. My legacy is in the hands of my son now as well. My greatest wish and joy for him is to create his life experience in any way he so chooses. This is his power. But I will always desire for him to carry on the torch so to speak with regards to our cultural ways, teachings and understandings. 

For this shall always remain as our essence. That we are spectacular and immensely so beautiful. That our richness is in the magnificence of who we are. That together, we stand on great shoulders. From one generation to the next we are the change we have always been searching for. All my relations, MAJ

Enjoying the artistic process of being an artist at Jacobson native art

 Good day to each and everyone. Wishing you all good health, strength and blessings. Just feeling quite happy these days. Working on new paintings, doing backgrounds, filling in colours, colour details etc in the studio. 

I have about 38 canvases on the go at the moment. All being worked on in different stages. Also been working on the new website, investing in inventory, creating new ideas towards marketing etc in the world of what I do as an artist. 

Life is good out here deep in the Kootenay mountains. I’m very excited about life and the new changes coming for all humanity and the planet. I see things in a good light, regard;ess of the struggle to get there, we will find a better way. Hope and faith are important principles in the life of an artist. And with that, enjoy yourselves as much as possible. Don’t let the struggles of the pandemic get you down...

All my relations and enjoy this beauty of a track:.....MAJ

New limited editions available at Jacobson native art (part 2)

Title: Shamans transformation 

Size of print: 14 x 18 inches

Stretched on gallery canvas

Ready to hang

Limited edition size: 100 per unit

Each unit comes signed & numbered

Price per unit: $450

Title: Honouring the elementals - air and water

Size of print: 14 x 18 inches

Stretched on gallery canvas

Ready to hang

Limited edition size: 100 per unit

Each unit comes signed & numbered

Price per unit: $450

Title: Bear power - abundance of Mother Nature 

Size of print: 14 x 18 inches

Stretched on gallery canvas

Ready to hang

Limited edition size: 100 per unit

Each unit comes signed & numbered

Price per unit: $450

Title: Bear clan teaching - respect and honour 

for nature’s life cycles

Size of print: 14 x 18 inches

Stretched on gallery canvas

Ready to hang

Limited edition size: 100 per unit

Each unit comes signed & numbered

Price per unit: $450

Good afternoon everyone. Here’s to good blessings and positive energy and spiritual force being sent out to all directions. I wanted to share with you a more detailed information package on this new series of prints on stretched gallery canvas. Each unit comes with a wire on back, ready to hang. 

They are marvellous new editions being released to the public only through my art studio here at Jacobson native art. For inquiries please email me at: 

jacobson101@hotmail.com

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

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