LE TRAVAILLEUR (the worker) – 60” X 40” – Acrylic and mixed media on canvas.
This personalized piece was painted for a small family from Philadelphia who has “a pied à terre” in the charming city of Montréal. In the past I have painted a multitude of owls, moose, cows, horses, pigs, roosters, cats, dogs and several fish. Today, I am proud to unveil my own version of a beaver.
For this family, this famous rodent describes a page of our Canadian history. In fact, the beaver became the official emblem of Canada in 1975.
Embedded within the layers of paint, you will find items chosen by the parents who have a great appreciation of their friends from the north.
First, you notice the maple leaf which is the symbol of our Canadian flag. In addition, maple syrup, an integral part of our cultural wealth and identity. Moreover, it is said that the province of Quebec represents approximately 75% of the world production. Without taking anything away from the uniqueness of the other Canadian provinces, our American family prefers the culture, architecture and history of “La Belle Province” (see fleur de Lys).
You can also find some authentic five-cent stamps honouring the Canadian beaver. According to my research, these stamps date from the 1950s.
I give you the challenge of finding texts from a book by the Quebec author Caroline Lepage entitled “Comme des animaux” with obviously, a few pages focusing on the beaver. Also, pages from the Webster’s dictionary on our friend. Under the maple leaf, notice the words CASTOR CANADENSIS, the name of the specie found in North America.
To the right of the canvas, you will find a map of Montreal’s metro with a focus on the owner’s residential area, located in the heart of The Village district.
Notice on the rodent’s back, an abstract representation of a cityscape that suggests a sunset between many skyscrapers of the metropolis.
I invite you now to direct your attention to the tail of our special friend. You probably know the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix. Here, I bring you a reference with the black and white checkered flag, symbolic of motorsports. It was in 1978 that the first Grand Prix was inaugurated on the famous Parc Jean-Drapeau track on Île Sainte-Hélène. Its very first race was won by the late Quebecer Gilles Villeneuve. Today, the track bears his name.
We can not talk about this city without mentioning its legendary hockey team, the Montreal Canadiens. You can also see the team’s logo at the top of the canvas between the buildings of the cityscape. Hockey is a very important component in the daily life of the Smith-Hoffman family. Their son Adam, at age 20, won the ranks of the Oklahoma Warriors in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). His parents are extremely proud of him. You may have noticed the letter A in red. You guessed it, it means Amour and Adam, their own love and pride.
Beaver Symbolism: The beaver symbolizes ingenuity, resilience and perseverance. It is linked to productivity and success, as well as the importance of working with others to achieve a common goal.
I called this creation LE TRAVAILLEUR because, just like the beaver, everyone must make the necessary efforts to achieve the desired results. We have in front of our eyes, the living proof with Adam’s success in hockey.
I would like to thank Mark and Frank for trusting me in the creation of this piece. May this painting make you smile at every glance and motivate you to put your whole being and soul into each of your future projects.
Yours in colour,
SAMSON.