Tatakwan Arts

Painting Series by Jude Norris aka Tatakwan

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Click on series titles for complete series descriptions, to see series & individual artwork images, available artwork & edition sizes, prices,
and for links to shopping cart.

A Few of My Favorite Things series

Ledger Style Painting Series

Waskikun Series

Ekwa Buffalo series

Making & Sharing Paintings – Its about me and about you.
In Cree culture we know that each of us has particular and valuable
gifts to share. Mine is my artwork. Whether you’re a seasoned collector, curator,
or Indigenous art lover, or even an ‘art newbie’, I invite you to experience
- to allow me to share – my digital paintings.
At its best, this is an exchange that we can both be honored and enriched by.

Maybe you are curious about Native People, or think you know what ‘Native Art’
is or looks like. Or maybe you’re someone who thinks you can’t understand art.
Or perhaps you’re already an art-savvy person. Whatever the case,
I welcome you to let go of anything you think you know and take a look.

And its about communication.
So once you’ve read this, I suggest letting all the words go,
and approaching the paintings with as little thoughts,
preconceptions or even walls as possible.
Look with your heart.
The things that are important for you to remember (if any)
will stay, or arrive..

If you’d like to more insight into understanding Contemporary Aboriginal Art,
(also to let go of before ‘communicating with the art’ lol) I have
an ebook available for download here as a free gift to you.

Contemporary Indigenous Art is traditional and cutting edge.
If you’re here – and you’re not a First Nations person – you probably
find Native American people interesting, and perhaps feel an affinity.

But do you see Native people as an emblem of the past, or contemporary people
who are maintaining and evolving our beautiful cultures in the here and now?
Well, both are true – and our unique relationship to the past, present
and future has great relevance for everyone.

Contrary to some popular beliefs, Indigenous culture is a constantly changing thing
(just like all of life!). First Nations people have always incorporated new
technologies into our cultural foundations in interesting and productive ways.
(For more about this make sure you check out the free ebook..)
Digital paintings are a great example of this.

Oh, and if you are ‘Aboriginal’, welcome to you, too.
It’s great to have you here. Hopefully you can find something that resonates
for you, and maybe even something unexpected, too.

The part about me..
A Traditional Approach to Painting in Pixels.
It All Comes From the Earth.
I’ve developed a unique style of painting that is either partially or completely
digital. I take all those hard-earned concepts and techniques developed
in years of school and physical painting practice, and incorporate them into my use of digital brushes, tools and filters.

I love painting on my computer.
I can achieve the same level of technique, subtlety, style and use of color with
paint or pixels. It is equally interesting and challenging, and
I’m just as excited with the results.

Whether the medium is physical or digital, the artist must still infuse a piece
with her skill, perspective, energy, intention, discernment and understanding
of her materials. This is what gives the work life and makes it a ‘success’.

All my images are imbued with my cultural foundation and understanding.
And I do my best to give my creative talent and technique to each artwork
- whatever the medium.

At the end of the day, I always remember that be it created
in paint or through a hard drive – the source is always the same.
Earth, the Great Spirit, my heart, my imagination and my connection.

It Always Comes Back to Relationships
The paintings on this site are figurative and quite ‘expressionistic’, though
I also love to paint abstractly, and sometimes also paint in a realism style.
But I’ve kept the work here to series I feel can be understood as a cohesive group,
with room for style and genre experiments and developments.

Whatever the genre the same elements are important in my work.
Placement, combination, layering and impact of color.
Balance of the visual components or subjects, and between shadow and light.
All this done as effortlessly and intuitively as possible,
in a manner that feels true to my vision and self.

In the end, it all comes down to relationships.
This is most obvious in choice of subject matter.
The paintings I’ve shared here have some recurring ones.
They are subjects close to my heart, and also ones associated with Native culture.

You’ll see quite a few horses and buffalo. Other animals, Native people, even tipis.
But they may or may not be painted in a obviously ‘Native looking’ way.
Or they may be both ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ those notions.
Or those notions may be different – depending who you are..

I’m interested in and influenced by numerous styles, cultures and genres,
as well as many different kinds of artists. And I’m interested in exploring,
pushing, pulling and playing with those cultural ‘notions’.
All while fully remembering, loving and embracing my culture.

But at the end of the day – bottom line – it has to be a good painting.

So, enough about me (for now). Lets talk about you..
You’re here because of the art.
And if you’re reading this far – odds are high you’re liking it!
(which I love, of course)

Are you already a collector? Or,
do you like the idea of creating your own distinctive art collection,
but think buying original art pieces might be too expensive?
Now you can have art by an acclaimed artist (yes that’s me),
at an innovative price.
Another thing I love is how digital technology now makes my paintings
widely available and easily affordable, while maintaining quality and collectability.

I hope you’ll join in my excitement about being able to make my work accessible to virtually anyone who really wants it. (And to everyone ‘virtually’ lol).

So if you’re interested in purchasing singular contemporary Native American Painting, but aren’t sure if you can afford to buy art right now -
This is art for your budget – no matter what that is.
My giclee printed paintings offer you an easy way to own or give unique,
elegant, and if you need it to be – affordable – Native American artwork.

Due to today’s digital printing technology, you can purchase a high quality ‘giclee’ for a fraction of the cost of a ‘one-off’ acrylic or oil painting.
So no matter what your current budget is, now you can
start collecting quality art, or add to your collection.
This means a Tatakwan painting can easily be yours.

Limited Editions in your choice of size, price & print style
Your Tatakwan painting will be printed on stretched canvas or high quality paper
using a special digital printing process. Even though it’s really a ‘print’ -
it will look virtually indistinguishable from an original painting.

And if the painting was created digitally – as most of mine now are -
well then your piece is an ‘original’ (in physical terms).

You can also choose from a variety of sizes and prices
And each size of each artwork in these series is printed as an limited edition.
(If you’re new to collecting – this adds value to your piece).

And advancements in printing inks mean your artwork will be archive-quality.
With proper care it will last for many, many years.
And larger pieces especially (with smaller edition sizes) are likely
to really escalate in value over time.

Its common for the larger online art companies to
print unlimited amounts of the paintings they offer as prints.
But with a Tatakwan giclee, only a pre-determined number of people besides you
will ever own an edition of the artwork. You also have the option of ordering
a Certificate of Authenticity, signed by the myself, verifying the number of
your limited edition digital painting.

When you choose a canvas version of a Tatakwan painting,
its designed so the image or background color wraps around the side of canvas.
So you can frame if you choose to, but the artwork will also look great hung as-is.
These options offer you the opportunity to save more money if you want to.
(You can see some examples of how my paintings look hung unframed here.
Once you’re there, scroll to the bottom of the page)

Here’s some art-hype you can believe..
With a Tatakwan printed painting, paying less can mean getting more.
I take great pride in the quality of my work,
and the way it is presented in the world.
I have built a successful career as an artist in part by giving careful and
loving attention to the integrity of my work on every level.

With current technology allowing such high printing quality
at an economical price, you can have all the qualities that give my work
‘richness’, without having to pay a lot.
Unless of course you want that piece that no one else or very few have.
For you, I offer special (very limited) editions.

I launch these series of giclee printed paintings with confidence that
each of these artworks, whatever the price range or edition size,
is a strong addition to any collection.
If you’re starting with a smaller budget, you can get much more
value from your artwork than what the price will suggest.

Want to energize your home or work environment?
Why not do it by showing and sharing your impressive love of the arts!
Are your surroundings feeling a little drab or empty?
Can you think of a room or wall that could use a lift?

There’s nothing like artwork to transform the life and atmosphere of a domestic,
work or public space. The right painting can bring the feeling and energy of
a room to a whole new level.

The art you are drawn to and surround yourself with can have an impact on
how you feel – and offer inspiration, peace or enjoyment throughout the day.
It can also make a strong statement about you.

Want a simple way to make an impression on your friends or associates?
How about giving them a lift, too? You can share your art-savvy,
discerning taste, and appreciation of beauty by hanging (or giving)
a one-of-a-kind Tatakwan artwork.

Tatkwan paintings make fantastic & unforgettable gifts.
They’re beautiful, distinct, simple to order, and affordable.
Art can be the ultimate one of a kind seasonal, birthday or thank you gift.
Now it can be an economical one, too.

You can easily find a Tatakwan painting in a price range for anyone you need
a gift for. They make tasteful presents for family, friends and loved ones.
An artwork can also be the perfect gift to forge or feed a good relationship
with someone in your professional world.

Back to me & you..
So, I imagine by now you have a deeper understanding of and appreciation for my
creative process and my paintings. I hope you also share my excitement about how
technical developments make my work more accessible.

I’d love for you to have one of my artworks, and its pretty simple to
make it a reality. To purchase an an artwork, push the yellow button below
to go to the Tatakwan online shop.

Once you find the artwork you want in the shop, add it to your cart.
Then follow the straightforward purchase process, and
your artwork will be shipped directly to you.

And voila, you will be the new owner – or giver – of a Tatakwan painting.
So here’s your chance express yourself, improve your environment,
or give a great gift – and support a contemporary Indigenous artist. Nia!

All My Relations,
Nitataminan,

Jude ‘Tatakwan’ Norris

PS – If you haven’t already, you can read more about my artwork, practice,
and perspectives on the About Tatakwan and Artist Statement and Rant pages.
Also check out the homepage for information about the variety of work available here on the site. And make sure you sign up for the free wallpaper artwork!

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