Independence artist's top asset

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If ever there was an idealist committed to her own convictions, it is Carrie Taylor.

C. J., as she is more commonly known, is an accomplished artist who absolutely refuses to apply for, or accept handouts, in particular, of the government variety.

For that reason, she does not make overtures for funds from the Department of Canadian Heritage, Canada Council, or the National Aboriginal Arts Foundation, she asserts.

But don't get her wrong; she is not one of those starving artist types. She has her bad spells, she admits, but overall she manages and is proud to be an independent and free spirit with the flexibility to do what she wants without someone dictating how, why, where or when she can or cannot do whatever it is she wants to do.

In addition to the several hard cover children's books that C. J. has authored and illustrated through Tundra Books, Taylor is now being published through McClelland and Stewart, as well as Stoddart.

Her latest publication, Messenger of Spring, was released last fall by Tundra, as was Fire Dancers, a book written by Jan Bardeau, but illustrated by Taylor. She's got three more illustrated books in the works.

One of these is a full-length novel called Singing Wolf, which utilizes some of her black-and-white paintings. The story revolves around an early Canadian explorer, Pierre Radisson, who is captured by Mohawk Indians.

Taylor writes in the voice of a 16-year-old boy who becomes Radisson's adopted brother. Written "through Native eyes," says Taylor, it's a millennium project that will likely not be completed for another year or two.

A second book, Little Mouse, is dedicated to her one-year-old grandson whose name is Little Mouse. Scheduled for completion this summer, Taylor hopes it will be animated for television.

"Interest has already been expressed by CBC," she adds.

Her third project is a collection of her poems and paintings for a book called Fragments of Thoughts.

It will employ paintings that are abstract and three dimensional, and contain social and moral statements.

Taylor's also completed a series of 'Piggy paintings' on the issue of secession of Quebec. She began the paintings in 1989, transferred them onto slides and shows them at various schools and communities, along with accompanying poetry of her own creation.

Last year, for example, she toured schools and libraries in Norway House and Thompson, Man. the Images conference in Winnipeg, the Spadina Library in Toronto, and around Montreal.

She even got around to writing poetry at a few literary conferences in American spots, such as Sun Valley, Idaho, and Billings, Montana.

Much of her touring involves Montreal schools, mostly elementary, where she explains her books, how she got started, her legends and paintings, and the stories behind the stories.

High schools act as a bit of a magnet too, she said.

"They are more of a challenge. I use my poetry and paintings, show slides, explain my work and the materials I use," said Taylor.

On July 6, she'll present workshops on her books and poetry to teachers and students at the University of Calgary's department of English.

Taylor gets her inspiration from music and life situations, she explains. They come from social, political, and environmental issues, documentaries on radio and television, she said. One of her key inspirations is music.

"It's seldom that music isn't playing when I stand in front of my canvas," she said.

"Mostly blues - works by Dr. John, Willie Nelson, B.B. King, Keb Mo, Johnny Lang, Bob Dylan," said Taylor about her favorite music.