Vicki Peters

Although I have spent many years designing, painting, and illustrating, I am recognized mostly for my aboriginal portraits.

 

The one main influence of my art has been Victor Francis Pelletier, father of my childhood friend Michelle. Michelle, Vic Pelletier’s youngest daughter, and I have been friends for over 50 years and still are today. Michelle and her family have had a huge impact on my work.​Victor Francis Pelletier was an Anishinaabe from First Nations in Serpent River, Ontario. He was born on July 31, 1929 at the Blind River hospital, the fifth of eight children, and attended school in Sudbury.

 

As a child, I remember seeing him sitting at the table, with family and friends, discussing important events and how important it was for him to pass on his history and culture. Mr. Pelletier dedicated most of his life to the advancement of the First Nations people and, in 1981, the Native Council of Canada presented him with an award in recognition of a lifetime of outstanding contributions as a representative of Canada’s Native peoples.​

 

He was a charismatic leader who made real differences by delivering positive results, always proactive in helping all people understand the importance of pursuing First Nation’s issues.

 

I credit Mr. Pelletier with instilling in me an appreciation of native culture that to this day forms my work.​Painting mostly from black and white photos, often the work of renowned American Photographer Edward S Curtis, I try to capture in brush strokes the mood and feeling the photographer captured on film. What I feel most about the source of my greatest inspiration is respect – for the people I paint and the ancient culture they represent.

 

To learn more about Victor and my work, please visit twentyonedoors.ca