THUNDER BAY — An artistic journey that started at age 10 will bring Gene Boshkaykin, a Thunder Bay portrait artist, to the Co. Lab at the Goods & Co. Market.
The display opens with a one-man art show on March 21 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., where Boshkaykin will also be showing off the display with refreshments available.
The display will remain in the Co. Lab until April 10, but Boshkaykin encourages people to attend opening night when he can meet everybody and have conversations.
“I do portrait art and celebrity art. It’s coloured pencil and acrylic paint, so (it’s) a mixed medium. They’re all pretty big size, around 22 by 28 (inches),” said Boshkaykin.
“I get good compliments from everybody that wants to hire me or just buy my art.”
When Boshkaykin was 10 years old, he said he lived with the Johnson family on his First Nation reserve and that was when his artistic journey began.
“One of the Johnson kids was a teenager and in his takeoff with his art, he was my inspiration, Sterling,” he said.
“Then I moved to Minnesota and I got to high school. And then my art (started) getting better, of course, and the teachers start noticing and it just took off from there.”
Boshkaykin said people could tell he had a gift of art from the beginning.
“It’s a passion, of course, and I want to make the people happy. I have this gift and I also love my culture. Before, I used to just do celebrities and cars, but now I’m an older person. I enjoy my culture, so I draw Indigenous portraits,” Boshkaykin said.
“That’s what keeps me going.”
Boshkaykin said for anyone who wishes for more information, he’s available on Facebook for any inquiries.
