Shamanic Visions | Ritchie Sinclair

I believe that we are all intimately connected, and that we exist within a responsive essence that surrounds and connects everything. This essence is not visible to our physical senses. It remains hidden and largely unknown to us. Though they claim authority, both religion and science have failed to understand the invisible universe that surrounds us. Significant questions have been left unanswered. This sacred task is that of the visionary artists. Ritchie Sinclair, Shamanic Visions, 2023.

Bridging the Great Divide

Acrylic on canvas , 2017, 42 x 58 in

Thunderbird bridges the great divide, guiding us into the unknown, leading us toward two distinct paths. One, the Rainbow Bridge, is for vibrant hearts that beckon to the soul and is characterized by engagement (love). The other, the lofty way of Spirit, is a current of copper in a sea of shamanic gold that signifies enlightenment (wisdom). Despite their differences, both paths are compelled by a common destiny that ultimately leads to integration and empowerment. In “Bridging the Great Divide”, Spirit defines and unites these paths.

The House of Invention

Acrylic on Canvas , 2016, 60 x 50 in

The shaman awakens in the dreamstate to an opulent gathering place, surrounded by the fruits of the inspiration of many shamans. As he lies prone, a livingness forms above him in the likeness of two Loon guardian spirits who greet and guide him to the gates of the sacred Lodge of the Thunderbird. Here the shaman bears witness to the House of Invention, a Shambhala enveloped in Pacific Northwest Coast Totems, viewed through the kaleidoscopic lens of Ontario’s Woodland School of Art.

Noteworthy...

The House of Invention

Quotes

I believe that when I sleep, I get out of my body and I roam all the universe. I go to the inner planes. I go to the source. I even dare say I go to the source where all the inventors of mankind go… to the House of Invention.

Before settlers and priests came from the Old World in Europe, the Native people all over America used their imaginations freely. There was a vast amount of culture. I believe the people were going to the House of Invention.

We are very creative in the House of Invention. Artists go there themselves, or stumble across it, voluntarily go, or go and they don’t remember when they wake up. As well, writers go there and musicians of all kinds go there and pick up their sheet music, which they play when they are awake.

Now music and art are very healing things for people. So we allow ourselves to become instruments or channels for the Inner Master or spirit, so that we may inspire others. I have done this. I have inspired maybe one hundred and fifty followers, two generations of people. Wouldn’t it be nice if they would start to do something with the power they have? Those of us who are able to pick up these things that I am talking about here should allow ourselves to be used so that we can bring down the ideas from the House of Invention.

Norval Morrisseau, 1997, Travels to the House of Invention

In 1990 Morrisseau spoke about the House of Invention.
The song, “House of Invention”, by Kevin Hearn of the Barenaked Ladies is included in this video.

Solar Power

Acrylic on canvas , 2020, 50 x 60 in

In this vision, spirit is moving through realms beyond time and place. Soul travels into destiny, nurtured within a radiant aura of yellow-orange, riding cool waves of electric mauve and blue. Symbolized as a universal bird form, this portrait is a spirit shield created to empower viewers with clarity of vision and dynamic vitality. It is a protector amulet and talisman, useful for health, harmonization and revitalization.

Thunder Drum

Acrylic on canvas , 2019 , 40 x 28 in

Thunder Drum envisions the natural life process. All creatures are individual souls born into a teeming wellspring of limitless spirit. Life experience begins with a seedling; a clock wound tight that comes ticking to life with the first heart beat from the Thunder Drum. To the constant march of the sounding we will travel many paths, commune with many souls, and one day, with the last beat of our sacred heart we will fly free into uncharted destiny.

A Dedication

Spiritualism is the land, the people, and the sharing of this — not a class separation. Our elders teach us that we are all part of the circle of life, which contains the four races, the four seasons, and everything in nature — the rivers, trees, mountains, fish and animals. Every man, woman and child is part of this circle and we communicate with the Creator, who is outside it, through our elders.

The circle of life is a continuous cycle of all seasons and all generations, and we live in it today as part of yesterday and tomorrow. Our way of life, and all of our activities, are based on the spiritual understanding that we are a part of nature and must function as part of the whole. This spiritual awareness has been given to us by the Creator and taught to us by our elders, who communicate with the Creator through the pipe.

ᐊᓯᓂ Vern Harper (1979) The Red Path and Socialism

Thunder Drum is dedicated to the late Urban Elder, Vern Harper, who had me paint drums and other spiritual artifacts for him over the years.

Midnight Bliss

Acrylic on canvas , 2018 , 58 x 40 in

Together, in the sanctuary and silence of the moment, they embrace the eternity between things known and unknown. With the hunt of the day left far behind they bask under the midnight sun, reflecting on all that is here & now, and all that was before. Moonshine dances across the firmament as they sing their sacred hymns into the wild of the night. We are spirit’s guardian messengers, at one with the sky and the sea. We are freedom exemplified.

Partners in Love

Acrylic on canvas , 2018, 60 x 40 in

A vision quest to the promised land is underway. Through the looking-glass of Spirit’s shield they can see the abundant sanctuary that could be theirs to appreciate. Compelled by their mission, assisted by the Eagle of intuition, the two move as one into destiny. Partners-in-Love with a homing signal, on a mission of hope, to make sweet love in a paradise of blue skies and fruitful waters. Anticipation. Imagination. Inspiration. One vision held by two souls, moving together from insight to insight.

The Great Awakening

Acrylic on canvas , 2019, 28 x 42 in

Now is a good time to lift our heads to the clouds and dig our feet into the earth. Spirit is not an aboriginal legend. It is you, dynamically reconnected to the natural and intuitive. You are the butterfly. It is your free spirit, your human spirit, your community spirit, your team spirit and your creative spirit aligned with the universe that changes everything. Awaken to this pure reality, just be, and know that all is well.

Totemic Guardians

Acrylic on canvas, 2020, 60 x 50 in

Long ago cataclysm forced the People to journey far out into the ocean in search of a new home. One day they discovered a Seaway that led deep into a vast land of fresh water lakes teeming with life. As they ventured deeper they happened upon a beautiful island shaped like a turtle, with waters protected by a Sea Serpent and skies by a Great Thunderbird. The People were compelled to settle there and they thrived for many generations.

Symbolism

Totemic Guardians

This totemic painting depicting shamanic goodwill envisions the ancestral migration allegory of the Seven Fires Prophecy. Over eons the cyclic struggles between the Thunderbirds of the Skies and the Serpents of the Deep play out their dramas through all earthly forms, including humankind, yet at the centre of the cyclone all is well.

PRIMARY FIGURES

Thunderbird: – mastery of the air and of the upper-world.
Turtle: – denotes longevity, stability and wisdom. This Turtle symbolizes our home, the womb, Mother Earth, the beaver lodge, the wigwam and the sacred sweat lodge. Here is safety and security. Here is the circle in the cycles at a point of perfect balance. Here is a living portal and time machine. Here is our beloved soul.
Great Horned Serpent, Mishibijiw: – mastery of the water and of the underworld.

SECONDARY FIGURES

A shaman with 3 apprentices in a grand canoe embark on vision quest through the seasons.
3 great fish spirits depict the abundance afforded by Thunderbird and Mishibijiw protection.
Nesting Loon spirits are symbolic guardians of the Great Lakes and of the St. Lawrence Seaway.
24 salmon represent the People; great souls returning to the source of their abundance to spawn anew.