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"In my work, I try to use that idea as my starting point to grow rather than think that these are tight boundaries I have to work within. I try to explore new areas and hopefully contribute something unique." Neel certainly has created something unique. Maintaining many of the principles of the Northwest Coast art, Neel has added his own ideas on composition and form. There are hints of influences drawn from the sacred sites and artwork of Thailand and Cambodia. But most striking is the palate of rich colour he has chosen - sparkling turquoises, brilliant yellows and oranges, strong reds and purples, dazzling greens and blues. These tones are reminiscent of images from Central and South America. Neel admits that he is influenced by what all that he sees around him. "I don't need to be limited in my Neel is also known for his beautiful jewellery and his sculptures. He has carved two large canoes, one of which he paddled through the canals of Venice, Italy. When asked about his success in so many different media he simply says, "If you are creative, you can use that in any number of different areas." Much of Neel's success is attributed to the fact that he and his staff run the studio like a business. "We do what any business does. We keep active. I've been very fortunate. We're always busy. We always have a project on the go." His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally in Moscow, Woologong (Australia), Seoul, Stockholm, Charlottetown, and Dallas to name just a few places. Lots of business means lots of busyness for Neel though. Calling himself Mr. Time Management, he speculates on what he would do if he had more time. "Right now I'd like to be doing more big carvings, painting and writing. I go through phases. I won't carve for a couple of years and then I'm carving again." The show at CityScape will be the first public exhibition of Neel's paintings. "It's been my pet project and I wanted to keep it for me. I'm not in a hurry for it to become what I do for a living. I don't want to put the pressures of exhibits and deadlines and commerce into it. I want it to be my own personal project as long as I can." Neel is pleased about sharing the exhibition with children. After all, his new works are very childlike and whimsical. "Young people have great minds and if you let them loose creatively, they do wonderful things." The children involved in the show are students of grades four and nine, the years when they study First Nations History and Culture. It was a natural to invite them to participate in this special art program. During the past school term, storyteller Randy Tait went into selected schools and related a Nisga'a legend, The Eagle and Beaver's elements Journey. This lovely tale of gratitude, invention, the about and animals learning to live in harmony includes cooperation. After listening to the legend, the children interpreted a part of the story using paints, pastels, pencil crayons, felt pens, and collage. The Seycove students all produced a collagraph. The children then juried the pieces themselves and four were selected from each school for the exhibition. The other schools taking part are Queen Mary, Norgate, Fromme, Cove Cliff and Keith Lynn Alternative Secondary. Some of the pictures will be available for purchase although most are NFS. The innovative collaboration between David Neel and the school children promises to make for a wonderful exhibition from September 12 through October 19. Everyone is invited to attend the opening reception on September 12 from 7 to 9 at the CityScape Community Art Space, 335 Lonsdale. For more information call (604) 988-6844. creativity. Whatever I feel is fair game, I will utilize." His paintings are post-modernist in their approach. They incorporate ideas from different cultures and address contemporary visual themes as well. "I'm creating my own new world here. The backgrounds suggest a place but nothing really solid. It's almost a dreamlike kind of space. There isn't a lot of depth to the images. They leave a lot to the imagination. The way they float in space, they appear to be part of a larger world." After studying photojournalism in at Mount Royal College in Calgary and at the University of Kansas, Neel documented various aspects of the North American First Nations culture. He published two books of photographs, The Great Canoes: Reviving a Northwest Coast Tradition and Our Chiefs and Elders: Words and Photographs of Native Leaders. As well, his work has appeared in several other books and publications as well as in museums and public galleries. In true journalistic style, he addressed many of the issues of his time including the incident at Oka and the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Let me coach you to: · get clear · create a vision and believe in it · set goals · be accountable · experience results kathy dornan writing communication & coaching ...collaborating with groups, artists and créatives, entrepreneurs, and people in transition Contact me about a complimentary coaching session and my special rates for artists. kdwc@shaw.ca 604.984.6514 September | October