About the Artist
Derrick Hewitt
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Biography
Mi'kmaq Heritage
As a Mi'kmaq of Newfoundland, Derrick Hewitt appreciated learning the native art and is ensuring that the art form is being passed down by teaching it to others in hopes to keep it alive. Derrick also hopes that those who purchase Tuftings will gain an appreciation and admiration for the Native culture and traditions here in Canada.
History
Learning the Art of Tufting
Derrick Hewitt learned this art from Duncan Chisholm, who was stationed with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Fort McPherson, NWT. Fort McPherson is located above the Arctic Circle and is a community of about 800 people.
Mary Firth Sr., a former band chief of the Loucheaux, was the only person in the community who did this artwork, she taught Duncan, who taught Derrick Hewitt.
Today's Tufting is a rare art, mostly consisting of flowers. Derrick Hewitt is one of five artists known in the world that does mostly scenes, but he will do flowers. Derrick rarely uses dye, preferring the more natural look.
Artist Statement
It's All About Creativity
I am a Mi'kmaq of Newfoundland and I connect with Nature, the animals, plants, I am one with Mother Earth. This drives my passion to create art that others can connect with, drawing on visual cues to connect the audience to the animals or a scene.
My work is about eliciting an emotional response, drawing on a childhood memory, or something more recent that has been lost or forgotten. It is also my coping mechanism, as someone living with PTSD, I get lost in my creations, it is spiritual.
Before I begin, I have to clean and sort the hair, then I start by drawing a scene of something I have seen in nature or something I imagine. By tying small strips of moose and caribou hair onto a background to a desired pattern or shape, I then trim the hair in the shape of a duck, wolf, bear, person, or other figure.
Bit by bit the vision in my head transforms the hair into a textured three dimensional image that stirs emotions. My hope is that by displaying and teaching Tufting Art, it touches the soul, bringing an admiration for nature and a respect for everything, especially our rich native culture here in Canada.
Legacy
Teaching Future Generations
Derrick is ensuring that the art form is being passed down by teaching it to others in hopes to keep it alive. Through workshops, cultural presentations, and one-on-one instruction, the tradition continues.