I paint and draw what gives meaning to me as an Ojibwe person. My stylized, representational images compose an Ojibwe Universe. Interwoven in this Universe are creation stories, origins of traditions, and the roles of women and men in past and present Ojibwe society.
I paint in water mediums including translucent watercolor and watercolor pencils. However, my preference is Gouache, an opaque watercolor. Gouache allows me to build layered imagery with a palette of strong, bold colors. My other medium is digital illustration. Digital illustration enables me to create visual compositions that are an extension of the aesthetics that form the basis of my painting.
My paintings cover three categories – Origins (how things came into existence), Ojibwe life in the Pre-Contact and early Contact periods, and contemporary subjects that incorporate Ojibwe symbolism.
Essentially, my art depicts, documents, and defines the life of the Ojibwe people. Additionally, my work educates non-Ojibwe people about Ojibwe traditions, history, and culture. My art serves a visual language through which we understand one another.
Taken from Robert DesJarlait Fine Art – ROBERT DESJARLAIT FINE ARTS