BIOGRAPHY:

John Tenasco is an Algonquin from the Kitigan-Zibi Anishinabeg reservation near Maniwaki, Quebec. 

He has recently completed the Fine Arts program at Heritage College in Hull, Quebec where he presently resides with his family. For the past fifteen years he has sold his works throughout the area including the various paintings decorating the halls of the Kitigan-Zibi Kikinamadinan School, the Kitigan-Zibi Anishinabeg Administration Office and Heritage College. 

John is interested in a variety of media and styles of paintings (portraiture, Abstraction, Impressionism etc.) and in producing works with Aboriginal content in as many ways possible.

"Like most artists, Native or Non- Native, I feel that the greatest problem I encounter is the age-old difficulty that has hindered every artist: successfully selling works and gaining recognition. 

I also feel that it's just as difficult for an artist to make it in an urban setting as it is on a reservation. As an artist living near the city of Ottawa, I have the chance to see works from most of the major artists of our time. The National Gallery is the largest gallery but there are many others that have equally impressive works. 

Because influence from fellow artists is important, easy access to these galleri- es is extremely advantageous to an artist. Trends in the art world are more visible in the city than in a smaller town or reserve. Meeting other Native artists and seeing their works, which provides encouragement and boosts morale, is also much easier in an urban setting."