Meet this year’s Nunavut Directory Cover Art winner

Passion meets inspiration meets modern technology 

Put together caribou, a well-known landmark and a guy who knows his way around a computer and what do you get? A winner!

Francis Lee, an artist from Iqaluit, is the winner of the Nunavut Directory Cover Art Contest. His digital painting, Caribou Grazing at Auyuittuq National Park, will be on the cover of this year’s Nunavut phone directory.

“I was never really trained in any form of painting, so when it comes to painting landscapes, I do everything digital," Lee said. "I love Chinese watercolour painting and I had a few brushes in Photoshop. That’s the thing about digital painting – you can create these brushes in Photoshop to give you the actual feel of watercolour. So, I thought let's try this method and see how it works out."

And work out it did. 

The painting centres on the park’s Mount Thor. Lee uses stories, reference materials and his experience as a graphic designer to see it anew.

“l was fascinated about Pangnirtung when I first went there … I love all the hills and mountains. The beauty of the landscape – that’s what inspired me. The park is one of my passions."

Lee is a network technician with Community and Government Services. While he has no plans for a full-time art career, he would love to share what he has learned.

“Honestly, I couldn't even believe that I actually won. I am very happy to be part of the group of Northwestel winners and it's great for everyone to see my work. I don't see myself working professionally as an artist right now. But I would love to share my knowledge with people who are interested to learn digital painting … to be able to inspire someone else to create.''