Artist’s work first inspired by carving popsicle sticks
- EFN Staff | May 21, 2019
The love for creating art first started for Darren Pratt when he was a kid. Pratt from the George Gordon First Nation recalled when he was 7-years-old, he and his siblings were given popsicles and he would take the popsicle sticks and carved feathers out of them. That’s how the passion for art started. Whatever he can get his hands on, he can create a masterpiece.
Pratt has always shown his love for eagles and he tries to incorporate eagles in most of his art pieces whether it be earrings, paintings or carvings.
“I started taking [this] more into a career for about 18 years now,” he said. “I work with pretty much anything I can get my hands on. I mostly work with antler, hand paint, wood, soapstone, and jewellery.”
When he was 25 years old, he lived in Vancouver and it’s also a time where he first sold his artwork.
“I took some pop bottle caps and I made drums. We were down to our last meal and I made 15 keychains out of that,” he said. “I realized that I was actually good at what I do.”
When Pratt is in his art zone, he reflects on the encouraging words that his late grandmother would always tell him to continue pursuing his dreams of becoming a great artist.
“When I was young, I would give my artwork to my grandmother to show her. She would always tell me before she passed on to ‘never give up your goals and your dreams. This is a gift.’ I always think of her words that get me in the zone,” he said.
Pratt’s artwork can be seen worldwide. He had an art show at the Vancouver Olympics in 2010 where tourists and visitors bought a lot of his artwork.
“I have artwork in every country of the world,” he said. “It was quite the experience. I met people from all over the place.”
Pratt also helps families refurbish their passed on loved ones crosses on gravesites – a service that he doesn’t ask for money for his time.
“I’ve done crosses for some families and been asked to redo crosses for them,” Pratt said. “Whatever they offer me, like tobacco or a gift. When it comes to stuff like that, I don’t really take the money. It’s about giving them a nice piece for their families.”
Pratt’s artwork is also displayed throughout five different stores throughout Canada including Saskatoon’s Wanuskewin’s Heritage Park. If people are interested in viewing or purchasing his artwork, he can be found on Facebook under Darren Pratt.