27 Spirit Portraits

You, Me & Us - 27 Spirits Portraits

This Art Project started in 2009 at Ipperwash Camp by Artist Suellen Evoy-Oozer.

Through this endeavour, You, Me & Us aspires to build bridges and create positive connections with individuals, communities, Mother Earth, and to forge connections with First Nation Peoples. 

In 2009, through a mutual friend,  artist Suellen and Elder in Training Susan were introduced at Kettle & Stony Point in Ontario Canada. 

The two soon became friends. They explored inside Ipperwash Camp together, sharing memories,  discussing aspirations, and bonding over a mutual love of nature and family. 

Over time, the bonds of Trust strengthened between Suellen, Susan and many other members of the First Nations community. Susan and Suellen became friends with a purpose - to create more positive energy between the people of the reservation and the outside community, not just for themselves, but for all of our grandchildren. 

As the friendship between the two grew deeper, Suellen asked if she could create a Spirit Portrait of Susan.  This was entered into an Art Show in Windsor that Susan attended.  

She felt the experience was "A Big Deal" and felt real acceptance for the first time through the public's appreciation of her portrait. She ask Suellen to help her bring that feeling of acceptance to Kettle & Stony Point. 

Suellen runs a 3 Day Intuitive Energy Workshop, which had evolved into a tool for healing, connection and growth.  Susan arranged to host a Workshop at Kettle Point Community.  Through this workshop, participants developed a new connection to the community and to each other. 

Suellen offered to paint a Spirit Portrait of each of the participants - and the 27 portraits were born.  

To craft the Spirit Portraits, Suellen and Susan would meet the participant at their favourite outdoor spot.  Photos were used to help capture the natural environment. 

As they visited, Suellen would ask some questions to help her visualize the person's Spirit.  

The painting process focused on the Individual and Suellen tried to create a unique portrait for each, not sticking to one style.  The portraits tried to capture the subject's connection to nature and their individual spirit. 

The white dots that flow through all the portraits signify our collective human spiritual journey. 

All the portraits were framed in white cedar to symbolize and encourage healing.  

Suellen strived to create something each person would be happy to own, and could relate to, as the Spirit Portraits were to be gifted to the participants after the Art Show was complete. 

The 27 Spirit Portraits of Me, You & Us travelled throughout southern Ontario, and ended in Ottawa in 2019.  The portraits were best viewed in a circle, to replicate the intimate circles that were an intricate part of the Intuitive Energy classes.  If the viewer stood in the centre of the circle, they could become a part of Me, You & Us. 

At the end of the show, each participant received their portrait in appreciation for their willingness to create new bridges of understanding and build positive community relationships.

Before each new Intuitive Energy workshop assembled, Suellen closed her eyes and asked the spirit "Please may those will most benefit from this class find us."  

They often did.