Woodlands style facts for kids
The Woodlands style, also known as the Woodlands school or Legend painting, is a special kind of art. It is created by First Nations and Native American artists. These artists mostly come from the Great Lakes area. This includes northern Ontario and southwestern Manitoba. Many Woodland artists are from the Anishinaabeg people. This includes the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi. Some are also Oji-Cree and Cree artists.
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How the Woodlands Style Started
The Woodlands style was created by Norval Morrisseau. He was an Ojibwe artist from Northern Ontario. Norval learned a lot about Ojibwe history and culture from his grandfather. His grandfather's name was Moses "Potan" Nanakonagos. In the 1950s, Norval collected many stories from his community.
These stories, along with his own dreams and visions, inspired his paintings. Morrisseau once said that his art was like a "continuation of the shaman's scrolls." Older Ojibwe art also influenced this style. This includes rock art and birch bark scrolls.
What the Woodlands Style Looks Like
This unique art style uses strong outlines. It often shows "X-ray" views of people, animals, and plants. This means you can see inside them, like bones or organs. The colors used are very bright and lively.
Norval Morrisseau first painted on birch bark. But today, Woodland artists often use Western art materials. They might use acrylic, gouache, or watercolor paints. They paint on paper, wood panels, or canvas.
Artists of the Woodlands Style
Many talented artists have created works in the Woodlands style. Here are some of them:
- Ahmoo Angeconeb (Lac Seul First Nation, 1955–2017)
- Jackson Beardy (Oji-Cree, 1944–1984)
- Benjamin Chee Chee (Eabametoong Ojibwe, 1944–1977)
- Shirley Cheechoo (Cree, b. 1952)
- Kelly Church (Gun Lake Potawatomi/Odawa/Ojibwe, b. 1967)
- Eddy Cobiness (Buffalo Point Ojibwe, 1933–1996)
- Blake Debassige (M'Chigeeng Ojibwe, b. 1956)
- Tom Hogan, (Ojibwe, 1955–2014)
- Abe Kakepetum (Sandy Lake Oji-Cree)
- Norval Morrisseau (ᒥᐢᒁᐱᐦᐠ ᐊᓂᒥᐦᑮ/ Miskwaabik Animikii) (Bingwi Neyaashi Ojibwe, ca. 1932–2007)
- Daphne Odjig (Odawa/Potawatomi, 1919–2016)
- Carl Ray (Sandy Lake Cree, 1943–1978)
- Roy Thomas (Long Lake Ojibwe, 1949-2004)
- Jackie Traverse (Lake St. Martin Ojibwe, b. 1968)
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