Black History Month: A little bit of Canadian History 2

I created this image for Black History Month, Warriors: Colours on Black Women.
Group exhibition at MosaikArt Gallery in Montreal.

Sophia Burden
The first black woman to live in what became Ontario Canada. She was born in New York State and was sold to the Mohawk Chief Joseph Brant in the 1770s, some time before the American Revolution. She became a free women in 1792, married Robert Pooley and was believed to be still alive in the early 1850s.

Black History Month: A little bit of Canadian History

I created this image for Black History Month, Warriors: Colours on Black Women.
Group exhibition at MosaikArt Gallery in Montreal.

Rose Fortune
Rose Fortune was born 1774. She arrived in Canada at the age of 10, originally a loyalist from the United States,. Her family settled in the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia. Earning a living was difficult for black Loyalist who came to Canada. Yet, that didn’t stop Rose Fortune from developing two lucrative businesses in the area. She began working as a baggage carrier, transporting luggage and provisions from ships, that she would deliver in her wheelbarrow. She also, implemented a ‘’wake-up call’’ service in which she would alert people in danger of missing departing ships. Her luggage transportation business became lucrative and became known as Lewis Transfer in 1841. Rose Fortune grandchildren have carried on the family business for the next 100 years.

Today, her legacy continues, The Association of Black Law Enforcers have created a scholarship in her name and her descendant Daurene Lewis became the first black female mayor in North America.

Rose Fortune died in 1864.

Photography

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Hot! 24 x 36, Oil Painting

Original oil painting. When I first saw these red chilies, I wanted to paint them to capture their vibrant color and skinny shape. I don't know where the inspiration came from, to place the chilies in a white circular bowl, but I think it works beautifully. This painting is available only on giclee canvas. Contact me for more information.