Otter And Circle Of Life 1991

Norval Morrisseau created this painting, Otter and Circle of Life, with bright acrylic on what looks like paper. I love how the animal form comes into being through these pulsing lines of color, like an aura made visible. You can imagine Morrisseau, his mind full of stories, drawing the heavy black outline of the otter, and then carefully filling it in. The otter is more than just an otter here; it’s an idea, a spirit, surrounded by these floating circles of life that are somehow tethered to it. There’s something about the way he uses the intense hues of red, blue, and orange that feels both traditional and totally new. He's part of this endless conversation among artists— a call and response across time. Each one leaves a mark, building on what came before, yet saying something only they could. It's a reminder that painting isn’t just about seeing, but about feeling, thinking, and connecting.