Biography / Artistic Statement

 My name is Gary Sutton, I’m a Métis Artist born in Northern Ontario who now resides in Redwood Meadows, Alberta with my tremendously supportive wife and 2 young children.

In 1999, I received a degree in Studio Art from a small university in Illinois, USA where I competed in NCAA football and Track and Field.  Throughout the 4-year degree program, I would often become homesick for the uniqueness of the Canadian Shield landscape where I grew up.  I spent a vast amount of time in the campus library pouring over art history books looking for Canadian artistic representation, in an American institution. As a result of this curiosity I have been significantly influenced by two main groups; the Group of Seven and the Professional Native Indian Artists Inc., otherwise known as the Indian Group of Seven.  

In recent years, I have been exploring further into my Métis roots here in Canada. This has helped me develop a greater understanding of the relationship between all things; subject matter, paint, style, non-verbal communication, nature, human beings, animals, spirits, plants, and vibrations. The value of these relationships is expressed through my current focus of creating Woodland Style paintings.

 Woodland Style, also known as legend or medicine painting is generally used by First Nations people in Canada to convey visions, myths or parables.  I aim to capture this story telling in my work and to install a belief in the viewer, that the ideas in my paintings are a possibility.  

The meaning of many of my pieces are often intentionally ambiguous. This way, those who find some sort of connection with a piece, whether it is in the style, a recognizable image, or the colours, are drawn in to explore for themselves. Perhaps even you will feel more understood after spending time with my work.  All things are one.  

At this point in time, my preferred medium is Acrylics. This allows me to paint forms of juxtaposing colour in a relatively short period of time. The final step in my process is the black connection lines which tie all of the colours and imagery together.

90 percent of my work is on a commission basis. Please contact me to have me paint your story. Details below.