It was an amazing experience to put a brush with paint on it in the hands of both young and old alike and watch them go to town on this painting. There is probably between 40-50 lbs of paint on this painting. When I was moving it back to my home studio, I large grapefruit sized blob of paint fell off and there was so much paint on it, it took me about 30 seconds of looking before I could spot where the paint came from. Once the primary painting was done, it was time for me to finish it off. I drizzled in red, black and white paint onto the canvas as a way to depict and honour the Coast Salish and all First Nations people. The texture of the canvas looked like a topographical map and over the coming months as it was drying, many nights were spent looking at it over beers with a buddy as you can literally start at it for hours, as one would a fire, and get utterly lost in it.

With this painting, IT IS THE COLOURS OF CANADA. Painted by and for the people of Canada and like all of Green’s paintings, it has found its home in the House of Commons. Thank you to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra for providing an absolutely magnificent experience in the official unveiling to the general public at an outdoor performance which featured military howitzers being used in a performance of Tchaikovsky.