Man finds healing through his art

Page 12

Frank Polson was born in Winneway, Quebec in 1952 and is a member of the Long Point First Nation. The past few years he has lived in Sudbury and the past seven years Polson has made a good living as an artist. He is a painter, a carver of soapstone and totem poles and a glass painter and etcher.

For the month of June, Polson's multi-media works were on display in Sudbury in a joint exhibition sponsored by the Sudbury Arts Council. He shared this exhibition with his seven-year-old daughter, Latisha, who was showing and selling her first four glass paintings. This is the second exhibition he has shared with one of his children.

"If it wasn't for my artwork I might not be here today. I was on a road of destruction," stated Polson.

In 1985 Polson discovered a passion for art and enrolled in a two-year course in Timmins. However, personal problems interfered and he was unable to complete his first year. Polson tried again in 1989 when he enrolled in Visual Arts at Cambrian College in Sudbury. Unfortunately, once again lifestyle conflicts interfered, and he left the program short of completion.

"I have spent much of my life struggling with alcohol, drugs, self-doubt and conflicts with the law. The last time I landed in jail, I told myself that that was enough. I've always been artistic and I'd tried to pursue an arts education but due to my lifestyle I've never completed a course. Seven years ago I'd finally had enough. Today I have no doubts that I made the right decision and since then I've moved steadily forward. I'm now making a comfortable living selling my work," stated Polson.

Polson acts as his own agent, therefore maintaining control of his work and the business end of things. He works in a variety of mediums including acrylic paints, soapstone, bone, wood and glass. He has created his own style of glass painting that resembles stained glass but isn't. He refuses to divulge the essence of his work as it is something that only he is currently doing.

He will, however, speak about the unique soapstone that he uses: "I get my soapstone from the Timiskaming First Nation. I call it Algonquin Green Stone, and it is superior to stone that I was getting from Toronto. First of all, it's darker; some of it is almost black but it is also in shades all the way to light green. It's also a lot hardier and doesn't crack, chip or break apart as easily as other stone I've worked with. When I had some of my work in Toronto I was asked where I got the soapstone from because gallery owners recognize it's good quality. The black stone is nice for pieces depicting bears. I take a heavy hammer to it to ensure that when I'm halfway through the piece it won't split on me, then I look at the stone from all angles until I can see the piece that I'm going to carve in the stone. The stone usually reveals to me what I'm going to carve," explained Polson.

Recently, he has created 3-D glass etchings, although the medium is new to him. It combines techniques that he uses when both painting and carving.

Polson was raised in the bush on the trapline, where he spent a lot of time with his father. His paintings, carvings and glass work portray his connection to his culture and heritage.

Today, Polson credits the Elders for helping him find and maintain balance in his life.

"I am fortunate to have had Elders who worked with me to help me overcome my internal and external conflicts and problems. I have learned to live with and to defeat the frustration that was behind so many of my problems, like my alcohol and drug abuse. I have learned that I have nothing to prove to the world and those around me. I always look for opportunities to work with the Elders and to learn more teachings," explained Polson.

Frank Polson's work is online at www.schoolnet.ca/collections/E/index.htm