February 3 - February 28
Wildlife Art by Earl McKay
On display are acrylic on canvas paintings of wildlife. His secondary style is a combination of stylelized contemporary and traditional background (Northern Lights) combined with a realistic foreground. Love of nature and wildlife is portrayed in all of his work and this shows respect, gratitude and admiration that is a gift given to all of us and one that should not be taken for granted. "We were given a second chance, there is no Ark, next time," is embellished in his work.
Earl McKay was born in the small northern community of Cumberland House, SK. He was put in foster care at age six. At the age of seven his foster mother noticed the raw talent that he had and she encouraged him to start drawing in a more detailed approach to his work. From drawing, he was then encouraged to experiment with paint and color.
In 1976, he moved to Brandon, Manitoba where he enrolled in a commercial art course. After completing his art training, he moved to Thompson, Manitoba with his family. In 1983, he decided to use his training and knowledge of art as a secondary income in supporting his family. Brush and paint were then the tools of his trade.
He has participated in art shows throughout Canada. Collections of his work are in Canadian Embassies throughout the world. Collectors include David Suzuki, Lynn Redgrave, Hank Williams Jr., Ed Bronfman and many political and community leaders throughout Canada.
In 2006, he designed and painted six of the twenty-four wolf statues for the "Spiritway Project" in Thompson. In 2011, he moved back to Saskatchewan.
