Handmade Store: Sam Bighetty

Sam Bighetty is a woodland Cree from Pukatawagan First Nation, MB, although he now calls Calgary home.

He started drawing when he was 14 years old and has been painting since he was 20. He comes from a long line of family artists, and grew up watching other family members drawing and painting before trying it himself. His older brother recognized Sam's talent with drawing and was instrumental in helping him learn to paint.

He works in ink or acrylic depicting animals, warriors and instruments filled with scenery, all in brilliant colors. Every painting contains symbolism to honor women, to recognize a life well lived or a life of hardship and spirituality.

Sam has participated in many shows in Alberta, Winnipeg, Regina and Toronto. He produces commissions, such as designs for tattoos, clothing including the design for a 2017 t-shirt for Canada 150 and was the illustrator for a comic book. One of his pieces was featured in Colouring it Forward 2018 Indigenous Art Calendar. He loves the way people react to his paintings and it makes him very happy to give them that enjoyment.