Culture, nature inspire Sweetpea

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Leo Neilson is one of the youngest of a growing group of successful Native artists based in Winnipeg.

The 27-year-old half Cree painter who signs his work "Sweetpea" didn't pick up

a paint brush until he was 16, as no one in his family was artistic. But the work of two artists got him started. One was Benjamin Chee Chee, whom he never met but whose innovative work he greatly admired.

"I really liked his work. Chee Chee invented the style. That's how I got into it, looking at his ideas and how he expressed them...Everyone else was doing a heavy woodland style. I liked his stuff. It was more free."

The other influence was Garry Meeches, a Saulteaux Indian artist who was already successful when Neilson met him. Meeches took the young artist under his wing, encouraging and advising his protege. As Neilson's talent and portfolio grew, the two travelled to shows across the country.

Neilson's work is similar to Chee Chee's - fine flowing lines and bright colors that jump out of the white space, based primarily on nature. He uses acrylic paint, a brush and a sponge. Birds are a common element in many paintings, from fairly detailed loons to sweeping geese, the beauty and simplicity of their flight captured in a few strokes.

"You can use only three or four lines sometimes if you put them down right."

Nature and his culture are his two main sources for ideas. He travels to powwows and takes part in traditional dances and songs. He spends time in the wilderness, too, hunting and observing.

While his regular artwork is what sells the most, he also paints drums, shields and chest plates.

By 1987, Neilson was enjoying some success and had his first international exposure in an art show in California.

Back in Manitoba, the Great Canadian Print Company took an interest in his work and did prints of several of his paintings. They have done limited edition prints of 10 of his paintings to date, most of which have sold out, and a series of cards of six works as well.

It's tough for a young artist to make a living, he adds, but he hopes to become more independent as time goes on.