2020, Wear Red as we go marching, Rome is burning: "When I first looked at it, it reminded me of Notre Dame Cathedral burning. It also reminds me of some of Van Gogh’s paintings. If we are burning now, like Notre Dame, we will rise better and stronger." - Marg McCuaig-Boyd, 2020, former Alberta Energy Minister. Notre Dame Re-Opens.
Art does not divide but creates unity, bringing people together. Each year since 2021, The Misty HeArt Project, on New Year's Day, by the ice rink behind the Alberta Legislature, I invite young and old to add paint to "Skaters on Ice" and "Aliens at Tsusiat Falls, The Media."
Retired since 2013, from the newspaper industry as a Graphic Arts Craftsman, I enjoy my days painting about the news stories of our time and continuing to practice freedom of the press since 2007, as an activist in my community. I frequently attend meetings, rallies and special functions inside the Alberta Legislature and Edmonton City Hall, relishing the surrounding grounds where I love to set up my easel and paint. Following democracy, I take notes, sometimes create political cartoons, and share my thoughts on social media platforms like this blogger under the name The Painter. Through my art, I aim to foster dialogue and understanding, bridging gaps and bringing communities together while staying active in my autumn years at 70.
Defending Freedoms: Art Shows & Tell and LISTEN
In November 2016, inside Sir Winston Churchill Square, I found myself at the heart of a three-day anti-pipeline protest. This was a prayer camp held in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's struggle against the Dakota Access Pipeline. During this gathering, I created a piece that has become the final addition to my 25 paintings and 160 outdoor art shows: the "2016 Fire and Rain" art project. The piece, titled "Water and Oil is Life - Nonviolence," was painted on location, capturing the raw emotions, the political agenda, and the deep-seated call for resistance that characterized the protest. The painting juxtaposes water and oil—elements that naturally repel each other—to symbolize the tensions and conflicts. Yet, it also highlights the necessity of both in sustaining life, urging us to find harmony in our differences. Through my brushstrokes, I sought to capture the spirit of the protest: a collective voice rising up to protect our precious resources and advocate for a more sustainable future. Despite facing mixed reactions, including opposition from the City of Edmonton and the Alberta NDP Government, the support I received from unexpected allies reinforced the importance of my work. It reminded me that art has the power to challenge, to provoke thought, and to inspire change. In a particularly meaningful gesture, I gifted this painting to the Hon. Jason Kenney just hours after I completed it.
When Jason Kenney stepped down as Premier of Alberta, he told me that my painting has a place in his home. This reaffirmed the lasting impact of my work and the powerful message it carries. However, my journey was not without its challenges. Since 2016, my outdoor art shows and public painting were banned three times by the Alberta NDP Government and met with threats of police action from a city manager for conducting an outdoor art show in front of City Hall. This included my 160th outdoor art show on New Year's Eve, at the same ice rink where my project began. Fortunately, all these bans have since been lifted. In 2019, I was also banned from wearing my art in the public gallery of the Alberta Legislature, a ban that was lifted in 2021 after I directly addressed it with fashion wear as a means of protest. A significant moment in my journey was meeting Edmonton Police Commissioner Wally Sinclair, kin to the late Murray Sinclair (RIP). We exchanged gifts of tobacco and an "Art is Freedom" baseball cap from my fashion collection. Sinclair remarked that I no longer needed to protest as my artwork speaks for itself. At 70 years of age, I have retired my pickets, my final one in September, after 16 years of civilly informing my community with citizen-free news actions. Word of mouth and art shows are now the primary ways through which I deliver my news and information. "Water and Oil is Life - Nonviolence" stands as a testament to the power of the arts.
Letter To The Painter, #225 Not a Bystander Art Project. Nov. 21, 2017, Edmonton City Hall, Art Show & Tell and LISTEN.
"Thank you for standing up for what you believe in and for taking the time to talk to us on the corner. It was wonderful to meet you! How have the art shows been?"
Ms. Dearden
Thank you, Ms. Dearden, for taking the time to write and share your photos. I'm deeply engaged in my 'Not a Bystander' art project, which aims to address issues of anger, violence, and bullying. Recently, I peacefully advocated for stricter penalties against violent acts following an incident where two RCMP officers were assaulted at a Red Deer hockey game. This highlighted the importance of non-violence and the need for safer communities.
Recent reports indicate that 1 in 4 City workers experience harassment and bullying, including from City Councilors. The impact of such behavior extends even further, affecting interactions between City workers and the general public. I aim to promote awareness and encourage respectful and compassionate behavior in all interactions.
Best Regards,
Doug Brinkman
No New Normal, Violet King Henry Plaza, COVID19.
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