b'BUILDING BETTER FUTUREScomes from. My Papa draws, wood-carves, dabbles in other things, and used to fix up old carshed have a pile of junk and turn it into a beautiful 1953 Lincoln. My auntie did some visual arts but shes a writer. Shes won a Canadian Screen Award; shes a TV screenwriter and has written a movie. Shes amazing. My mom, when I was growing up, was always doing what youd call crafty painting, but it was still an avenue to express herself.I grew up around three very monumental humans who were very artistic. So, from the get-go, I cant honestly pinpoint when I started cause I think its just been forever. One of my favourites that I did when I was little was for my Papa in his quonset, where he worked on cars: a drawing of Olive,The artist with one of her commissioned pieces titled Bison the Other Reindeer. You know how its all of the other reindeer? Thats always the dream forjuggling a lot. Otherwise, it wasntBut I drew him with an olive on his artists: how can I do this full-time?too difficult this time around. Inose. My Papa brings that up every But the reality is youre a waitresswent into it older and wiser. Christmas. I was always around as well; youre hustling in otherit. My mom would paint rooms fields to make the dream comeI wanted to be there. In my firstdifferent colours every few years. true. What were some challengesdegree, I was there because myOur bedrooms could be whatever you faced during your BFA? parents said I needed to. You dontwe wanted.I was always around Going back to school at 30 andcare as much. Doing it [when]it and doing it. I loved art in high being in classes with a youngerolder, I was more mature andschool; I loved my art teacher.generation. Our parents wouldwanted to get the most out of it, soIt wasnt until I was out of high laugh at our language or words.I put the most in. Honestly, I thinkschool and in university that I Now I get it. It makes me feel old.after high school, you should takestarted painting more for what I Trying to fit in with the kidsitsa year or two to learn who you are.wanted, not assignments. Through only an 11-year gap, but it feels likeManaging a degree while figuringthat came a commission for a lot. out who you are is hard. I was 19Mtis Nation Saskatchewan, and with my first degree, 18 when II thought: Can I do this? Should I Im outgoing and friendly, so Istarted. I wasnt even legally abledo this? Is this possible for me? didnt have issues making a newto drink in our province when I wasThat helped me decide to go back cohort of friends. Being older madein university. I was too young toto school to learn other skills. Its it easier to build relationships withbe there. always been a part of my life.profs; I felt closer in age. I becameIts very hard. I was 21 when very close with my professors,I started universitysuch aI love that and it makes me think specifically Allyson Glenn. blessing. Like you, I knew what Iof my favourite Christmas movie, Time was a challenge. I didnt wantwanted and gave it my all. WhenOlive the Other Reindeer. How another four-year degree becausedid you first discover your lovewould you describe your styleit takes time and money, and Imof art, and what did it look like inwhat youre drawn to portray?not made of money. I tried to finishchildhood? This is the age-old question for in about two-and-a-half years,I was very fortunate. My family isany visual artist. People say, Find so my last year was bananas: sixartistic on my moms side, which isyour niche. Once you have your classes and a solo exhibition. I wasalso where my Indigenous heritageniche, you can do something with 44indspiration2025'