Otter Art Club

The Orca symbolizes family, longevity, harmony, community and protection. He is said to protect those who travel away from home, and to lead them back when the time comes. Six Feet Apart. Always Together. by Travis Shilling 12x12... Oil on Canvas See more

When Travis Shilling was 17 years old he moved to Toronto to attend the Toronto School of Art and began his journey as a painter. He found a small attic apartment a block away from the Art Gallery of Ontario on D’Arcy Street. He didn’t have much money so he would wait for Wednesday evenings when the AGO generously offers free admission to the gallery. This long standing tradition allowed Travis weekly visits to view influential artwork which ignited his passion for oil painting. After working as a professional artist for over 20 years with many accomplishments along the way, Travis is now celebrating another milestone as the AGO has purchased two of his works from Tyrannosaurus Clan for their permanent collection. Congratulations Travis Shilling!!

Hawks are associated with protection from enemies and symbolize courage and strength. The hawk represents a need to start looking forward, envisioning your path ahead, and perhaps even preparing for a greater role in life. Hawk Skull by Travis Shilling 11x14... Oil on Canvas See more

Another beautiful painting of Black River by Travis Shilling

We have spent the past 8 months developing our first online course called Bear Builds a Beaver Dam. During our most difficult days, we found hope working on this project knowing that the winter months will be especially difficult this year and this could be our way to give back. One of our goals at Otter Art Club is to provide 150 local youth with the art supplies needed to complete this course. We are grateful for the generous donations we received this fall that helped us ...purchase many of these supplies, but we still need your help! As an added bonus, any donation of $500 or more will receive a 16x16 limited edition print of We Are Always Together by Travis Shilling. This Hahnemuehle Photo Rag Print is archival quality printed with water based non-toxic inks on FSC certified photo paper. Together we can provide local youth with hope and inspiration through the gift of art. Donations can be e-transferred directly to [email protected] Heart of Gold by @neilyoungarchives

When we are faced with an uncertain future, we turn to the things that comfort us. Art is always there to teach us who we are & who we can be. Lost together by Travis Shilling

Change is never easy, and it often creates discord, but when people come together for the good of humanity and the Earth, we can accomplish great things. David Suzuki Untitled by Travis Shilling

...and then, I have nature and art and poetry, and if that is not enough, what is enough? Vincent Van Gogh The Flood by Travis Shilling

Last evening of the summer spent by the river

One man practicing kindness in the wilderness is worth all the temples this world pulls Jack Kerouac The Wild Rice Farmer by Travis Shilling

New works coming to Ingram Gallery this November

Clouds and Feathers by Travis Shilling for his upcoming exhibition, Colorado. Usually working in large scale paintings, Travis has switched to smaller pieces as he paints from our home instead of the studio. When the world changes, so does our art. Dont fear change, be change

Theres fan art, and then theres fan ART. Our fall premiere episode inspired this painting by Rama, Ontario artist Travis Shilling! Hell be exhibiting it at... Ingram Gallery in Toronto. To learn more, visit him at www.travisshilling.com. Listen to "Paddle of the Century" at www.cbc.ca/radiointeractives/paddle.

Paddle of the Century inspired this new painting by Travis! Check out the documentary @cbcdocs

There's fan art, and then there's fan ART. Our fall premiere episode inspired this painting by Rama, Ontario artist Travis Shilling! He'll be exhibiting it at... Ingram Gallery in Toronto. To learn more, visit him at www.travisshilling.com. Listen to "Paddle of the Century" at www.cbc.ca/radiointeractives/paddle.

Ever wonder what Travis packs in his paintbox?

Another beautiful afternoon by the beaver dam

It is important to stay connected to the land that surrounds us. We have a responsibility to the land, the water and all the creatures that inhabit this world. By respecting these things, we keep our spirits connected to them

Trust the quality of what you know, not the quantity Miyagi Karate Kid by Travis Shilling

Feathers & Smoke by Travis Shilling

Jumping into the Spirit World by Travis Shilling 6 months ago the world changed & we all changed with it. We knew it would be awhile until we could see our friends at Otter Art Club so we began thinking up new ways to stay connected. Bear Builds a Beaver Dam is an interactive arts program for youth with a message that is universal. This program features a mix of live online workshops, weekly videos and more. Bear Builds a Beaver Dam will spend 5 weeks discussing art, the land we live on, the animals that surround us and the ways we stay positive and creative during the most challenging times. Whether you are going back to school this fall or studying from home, we hope you will join us on this exciting adventure

Its during these exceptional times that art becomes necessary so we would like to thank @canada.council for their generous support of Travis Shillings new series Colorado which opens this November at Ingram Gallery in Toronto.

Eternity by Travis Shilling Travis started painting for his opening at Ingram Gallery this November which he titled Colorado, his middle name. A few days ago we discovered @neilyoungarchives has an album from 2019 called Colorado and its been on ever since. My favourite summer memory will be driving on country roads with song #8 on repeat

The Horse and the Beaver Dam

Kitchen table turned studio

The Mask Maker by Travis Shilling . . . Hope everyone enjoys the long weekend! Stay safe & be kind

6 months ago the world changed and we all changed with it. Rather than focusing on the things we couldnt do anymore, we looked for new ways to create. Bear Builds a Beaver Dam is a love letter to the land we grew up on and all the places that inspire our work. We look forward to sharing more with you very soon, but in the meantime here is some behind the scenes footage from the last 6 months.

The Mnjikaning Fish Weirs is the largest and best-preserved wooden fish weirs known in Canada. In use from approximately 3300 B.C. Mnjikaning is an Ojibway word meaning the place of the fish fence. This spiritual point was a gathering place for Aboriginal peoples where stories and goods were exchanged, treaties were made and spiritual ceremonies were held.

Floating towards the unknown

The heron symbolizes stillness and tranquility, and how these two things are needed to recognize opportunities. It also signifies determination & speaks about your sense of independence

An old favourite returns. Portrait Travis painted of me when I was 19 years old.

The past connects the future

Happy summer solstice

To take care of Mother Earth and the community of life, we need to remember the Teachings of the First Elder. The First Elder gave us the gifts of knowledge that he received from the Seven Grandfathers when he was a little boy. Each Grandfather gave him a great gift. One gave him the gift of NIBWAAKAAWIN (Wisdom), and he learned to use that wisdom for his people. Another gave the gift of ZAAGIDWIN (Love) so that he would love his brother and sister and share with them. The th...ird Grandfather offered the gift of MANAADJITOWAAWIN (Respect) so that he would give respect to everyone, all human beings and all things created. AAKODEWIN (Bravery) was the next gift, the courage to do things even in the most difficult of times. A fifth Grandfather gave the boy GWEKOWAADIZIWIN (Honesty) so that he would be honest in every action and provide good feelings in his heart. Another Grandfather offered DIBAADENDIZOWIN (Humility) to teach the boy to know that he was equal to everyone else, no better or no less. The last gift that was given to the boy was DEBWEWIN (Truth). The Grandfather said, Be true in everything that you do. Be true to yourself and true to your people. Always speak the truth. The Grandfathers told him, Each of these Teachings must be used with the rest. You can not have WISDOM without LOVE, RESPECT, BRAVERY, HONESTY, HUMILITY, and TRUTH. You can not be honest if you use only one or two of the Teachings, and to leave out one is to embrace the opposite of what the teaching is.

Such a wonderful time connecting with our friends on zoom today. Thank you to everyone who joined us! We will be back next Sunday at 1:00 pm

We are hosting another Otter Art Club live on zoom! Travis will be doing a safe distance portrait painting of our good friend Wes Trinier. Message us to get your free link and join us tomorrow afternoon at 1:00

Get your local art supplies!

Beautiful day to be by the river! Thanks to everyone who joined us for our live Otter Art Club on zoom today. Great to see you

DRAW IS TONIGHT!! This is your last chance to win Ice Huts in the Distance a 9x12 original oil painting on linen by Travis Shilling. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased by sending an e-transfer to [email protected]. Before we accept your e-transfer we will send you a picture of your ballot for your records. Good luck & thank you for your support

Today Travis will be discussing landscape painting live from one of our favourite locations! Join us at 2pm on zoom. Message us to get the link

We are looking forward to our first club meeting on Zoom today at 1:00! Send us a message to get the link. Everyone is welcome

In the seven grandfather teachings the beaver represents wisdom because he uses his natural gift wisely for his survival. The beaver alters his environment in an environmentally friendly & sustainable way for the benefit of his family. To cherish wisdom is to know knowledge. Use your inherent gifts wisely and live your life by them. #happyearthday

Our favourite thing about the club is putting on a record and being able to create in the studio without distractions. We put down our phones, have interesting conversations and connect with the materials in front of us. We are missing those beautiful moments in the studio but like everyone we are finding new ways to connect. Come hang with us on Zoom this Sunday at 1:00 so we can all catch up & maybe even draw together. If youd like to join us please email us at [email protected] for details. See ya Sunday

Thank you to everyone who supported the club through our draw for the Travis Shilling oil painting. We are excited to deliver some art supplies to our local youth over the next few weeks. You guys are amazing