Arsene Tootoosis was born October 2nd, 1951 and passed May 8th, 2015.
With a unique eye for color and a steady hand, Arsene created highly intricate geometric designs that are still randomly found in notebooks, message books, napkins and papers all throughout his home on Poundmaker First Nation. His love for helping people became his main focus and life work. His love for song, dance, and tradition was constantly embodied in his work ethic and artistic process. Arsene Tootoosis was a natural artist who maintained his skill and intention on his free time. He never managed to create a permanent studio space in spite of all intention to do so and would randomly set up to draw and paint only when the time was felt right.
He took to drawing when he had a few moments to spare, literally doodling on napkins while waiting in a restaurant or the message book next to phone while he waited for an incoming call. In its own way, it was his inspiration and self care. His art was a personal practice and was very dear to him.
His work speaks clearly to the intricacy of Indigenous worldview and at the same time speaks to the beauty and balance that one seeks to find within it. His art is reflective of an Indigenous way of life stemming from a sense of self, place, and worldview. The Indigenous lifestyle was naturally embodied in Arsene’s practice, perspective, and livelihood. Arsene believed in maintaining cultural practice and adhering to the traditional way of life the best we can. He also believed and adhered to the intention of Treaty Six and believed in the revitalization of our own Indigenous governance systems. His words expressed in his trainings, workshops, and seminars speak to the wisdom and strength of who we are as people. Many have been touched by his presence and still speak to the positive impact he had on their lives.
Arsene’s drive to paint began in 2004 when he was diagnosed with Myleodysplasia, an autoimmune disease that required chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. His brother Martin Tootoosis was a match, which led to a successful bone marrow transplant. Martin saved Arsene’s life, which the family is very grateful for. Immediately after his transplant while in recovery he began drawing every spare moment to help pass the time; he realized that his sketches were revealing amazing designs and pattern that had deeper meaning. He believed this was a gift to help with his healing process. Once he started a sketch it took a life of its own and it continued until he completed it. Wanting to improve his sketches he turned to acrylics to better illustrate and convey his work. Interestingly the sketches he did could never be transferred to painted canvas, Arsene noticed that when he started to transfer the designs to canvas that a whole new design would unfold in the painting process.
He had a natural eye for color, so much so that he was requested to design beadwork for family members, who now hold their beadwork and designs in high regard. His sketches and paintings remain treasured masterpieces to his friends and family. Arsene lived eleven more years continuing his art process and practice of helping people as a trainer and a wellness therapist and passed May 8th 2015. May the work he has done in his life speak to the man he was and the life he lived.