Digital Art

These are not A.I. generated and no photographic manipulation algorithm was used.
These are digital drawings where I apply the same basic traditional artistic steps of drawing, layering, colour theory, and lights vs shadows.

Sept 13 2023 – Agriculture Canada

Ceremonial Mikinak Lodge 
960 Carling Ave building 39
Ottawa Canada

Three Indigenous Artists
Métis – JD Hawk
First Nations – Miskomin Twenish
Inuk – Gayle Uyagaqi Kabloona

Each contributed a digital art piece (2 meters diameter), which is now on display at the Ceremonial Mikinak Lodge. – (More Info)

Metis Artwork – “Coexisting in Harmony”  by JD Hawk

“It was important for me to show peace and harmony that comes with taking care of our plants & animals. We take care of them, and in return we are taken care of.”

  • The blue sky also represents water
  • The yellow dress also represents the sun
  • In between we have the land and animals we must take care of. 
  • The bison are facing East as a reminder that is where the storm (colonization) came from and we persevered. 
  • The Sash is not just a decorative piece, it was used as a tool. The colour tells a story of the journey the Metis people have been on. 
  • The hat is a symbol of protecting the knowledge that comes with being responsible. 
  • The infinity symbol is that of two cultures coming together to create one. Its a reminder that we can all coexist with a common goal. 
Old Rusty Car in Field
Mobile Home at Night
Plein Air

I was hoping it wouldn’t rain so I could do a little oil painting outside. The weather wouldn’t cooperate, so I pulled out my iPad, sat in the gazebo and came up with this digital piece.

Flower Cart
Zebra Plant
Growing
Coke with Jacket
Comfy Chair
Burger
Bingo!

You know you’re Métis when you are playing cribbage and want to shout “bingo!” 

Metis Youth - Winter Fire Survival Skills
Harvesting Cattails
White Bison in Moonlight
Christmas Wish
Transformation

There is nothing about a caterpillar that indicates it will change into something beautiful…. and then it does.

Kingfisher before the storm

Not all storms come to disrupt your path,
some come to clear your path

Sailboat

You can’t read the next chapter of your life if you keep
re-reading the last one

Great Blue Heron

My riches consist not in the extent of my possessions,
but in the fewness of my wants

Say it again, I dare you
Pelican

If you get tired… learn to rest, not quit

Rooster Curious
Seashell

A seashell captures the light from the setting sun.  Inspired by 2 months of  kayaking and sleeping on the beaches in the Gulf of Mexico

Sometimes you have to stop being scared and just go for it. Either it’ll work or it won’t. That’s life.

Metis Fishing Spoon
Medicine Wheel Fishing Spoon
Canadian Fishing
Alone

A PTSD episode in 2023 took me into a dark place for a few weeks. When I came out, I finally drew the image that has haunted me for over 25+ years.