In an area rife with artistically talented people, many names stand out.
But one in particular has carved a niche for himself with his impressionist paintings and renderings that have made him widely recognized.
The painter is none other than Michael Lonechild.
Lonechild, whose images grace the walls of homes, businesses, and public buildings, as well as the covers of various publications, is now sharing his impressive talent around the region at several schools.
"This is my second year doing school workshops, so I feel much more confident," Lonechild explained. "The classes are anywhere from 15 to 30 students."
"I find the larger classes a bit of a challenge because I have to be more organized, and that has never been something I was good at," Lonechild added with a glint of humour in his eye.
Kidding aside, Lonechild, with decades of experience as a painter and artist behind him, brings a hands-on know-how to the classes which he feels is essential to learning about art.
"I've always believed that its easier to learn things when I'm shown them then when they are explained to me," Lonechild said. "I think most people are like that. I try and make sure I let the students see what I'm doing, so they can understand how the method is done."
At present, Lonechild is working with students at Carlyle, Stoughton (which includes students from Ocean Man,) and Arcola.
"After this I'll be working with some other schools, like White Bear," Lonechild explained. "Basically, all the Treaty Four schools."
Part of the Treaty Four Student Success Program, Lonechild identifies his role as one as a trail-blazer, looking for alternative ways to teach.
"One of the problems we're looking at is how to keep the kids in school," Lonechild said. "Keep them in the classrooms learning."
There is a hint of pride when Lonechild explains that he seems to always have a full roster in his classes.
"Each school has eight lessons, and at the end there will be a showing of the art the students produced," Lonechild said. "It can be tough to tell how things are going when you're in the middle of it though."
"It's kind of like a painting," Lonechild continued. "A lot of time when I have a canvass, I won't know what is going to end up on it until I'm halfway there."
"That's when you can really see the shape of it, and start planning the finishing touches."
There are 18 schools in the Treaty Four area, and even with just grades five and six, that is an incredible number of students to teach.
"The program itself seems to interest the students, so that makes it a little easier," Lonechild said. "They are interested in what is going on, so they pay attention."
Asked what would be the one thing he would hope every student left his course with, Lonechild's response was thoughtful.
"I guess I just want them to leave with an appreciation for art," Lonechild said. "Not everyone is a painter, but I think everyone can find something worthwhile in art if they are open to seeing it."
