Aritist’s painting honors native roots Penobscot Nation man donates work

INDIAN ISLAND – The timing was perfect when Carla Fearon asked James Francis if he would donate something for the Penobscot Nation Boys and Girls Club auction.

Francis was then working on an acrylic painting of brilliant hues called “Turtle Mosaic.”

“It was almost done when Carla asked me if I had anything to donate,” he said. “I’m always painting turtles. The Native American view of land and earth is Turtle Island. It was important for me to represent that.”

Important because Francis is a tribal member of the Penobscot Nation who grew up on Indian Island.

He also is tribal historian for the Penobscots and has done “a lot of educational outreach teaching about who the Penobscots are.” He also is working on a history of the Penobscots from a tribal perspective.

While the turtle is in the center of the painting, it wasn’t the first element he worked on.

“The first thing I did was the nighttime sky,” Francis explained. “It’s how I see it – the blues are what’s there. The more brightly colored spots are where the stars are more closely clustered.

“The texture of the sky was very important to me,” he said, “to show that it wasn’t just flat.”

As for the turtle itself, “the shell is kind of a turquoise color. It’s meant to look like turquoise, which is very recognizable as native art in general – not tribal-specific,” he said.

The land masses on the back of the turtle’s shell intentionally resemble North and South America, Francis said.

“It’s the whole idea of Turtle Island. The natives saw the land and they called it Turtle Island,” he added. “It’s a global picture. This Mother Earth is turtle island. It’s all the Americas.”

Those familiar with Penobscot art may also recognize the double curve motif in the border of the painting.

“It’s a traditional Penobscot design motif,” he said, “two arcing curves.”

It meant a lot to Francis to be able to contribute this particular painting for the auction to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs. It carries a message he says is important, especially for the young people.

“I think it’s about pride – being proud to be a Penobscot. I want to instill a sense of pride in being a tribal member,” he said.

Art has been a lifelong interest of Francis, who resides in Bangor.

Growing up on Indian Island, he contributed to a book of drawings published when he was in sixth grade.

“I worked in pen and ink for many years, and have been painting since the late ’80s,” Francis said.

“I’ve done drawings and paintings of historical events, of different times, places on the reservation,” he added. Francis is also a photographer and gives PowerPoint presentations.