James Dean was born and raised in Stevensville, the Niagara Peninsula of southern Ontario.  He moved to The Pas with his wife Elma in 1986 and has worked for the Manitoba Government and Cree Nation Tribal Health Centre, where he recently retired as an Environmental Health Officer. They are one of those couples that “came for 2 years, but got hooked on The Pas and stayed over 30 years!”

James has been active in the local arts community for many years.  He has initiated several mural projects, painted a local mural, chaired Northern Juried Art Shows, and served as Arts Guild director on the Arts Council. James is also a member of the Manitoba Society of Artists and has co-chaired MSA Small Exhibitions. His paintings have won awards at both Northern Juried Art Shows and Manitoba Society of Artists juried shows.  He works in oil and acrylic; painting the intriguing landscape, busy street scenes, and en plein air.

Tannins and Lignins – The Colours of Boreal

This collection of paintings attempts to capture the special places, unique moods, and stunning beauty the Boreal Forest entices us with as she welcomes us into her most secret dwelling places.

To appreciate the character of the Boreal Forest, we must acknowledge the little things; the building blocks of her personality, such as Tannins and Lignins.  Take Tannins and Lignins, mix with an abundance of surface water, add a northern climate and time. Boreal sings her finest.

Tannins and Lignins

Tannins are the acidic molecules of plants and trees. Tannins create the pungent aroma in the bush, the brilliant colours of the flowers and leaves, and the tea stained water as it leaches through the forest floor.

Lignins are the building blocks of cell composition that gives the strength to growing leaves and trees. As plants and trees die, they slowly create the rich organic compost floor of the Boreal forest – perfect acidic soil conditions for the growth of Black Spruce and Labrador Tea.

I wish to acknowledge that this Boreal land, abundant with muskeg, is the traditional home of the Swampy Cree (Muskego) people; a land they have belonged to for millennia.

I hope you enjoy a few special places Boreal has revealed to me.