Anishinaabe Artist Erin Gustafson
Artist Erin Gustafson is from Couchiching FN, currently living in Ottawa on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe nation.
In her youth, Erin experimented with sketching, watercolour painting and basic string beadwork as a hobby, often inspired by her Grandpa Stan Formanek who would often take her on camping trips and painted scenes at Quetico Park, and her Kokum Phyllis Jameus (McPherson)’s beadwork. Although her Grandma Phyllis died when she was relatively young, she has maintained connections with her grandmother’s community of Couchiching First Nation and became especially close with her Great Uncle Dennis McPherson and his family including two daughters around her age, who are passionate about Indigenous issues and educating Canadians about the experiences of Anishinaabe people in history as well as current concerns. These relationships were paramount in reconnecting with her community along with the help of her mother, Joanne Formanek Gustafson.
While studying Biology and Music at the University of Ottawa, Erin developed a passion for traditional forms of beadwork and quickly began expanding her skills to include embroidery, working with porcupine quills, rabbit furs and hides, experimenting with resin art and building her painting skills using acrylics and canvases. Having developed a local and North American following on Instagram for her beadwork, she began offering workshops for organizations like the Elementary Teacher’s Federation of Ontario, the Ontario Native Women’s Association and the City of Ottawa, and has colouring pages published by the Keep Your Head Up Foundation. Workshopping is very important to Erin and often delivers educational material related to Indigenous people in hopes to familiarize more people with Anishinaabe culture and inform them on the concerns that are still alive in our communities today.
Erin is currently teaching piano, music theory, ukulele and guitar lessons in Ottawa on top of creating artwork. Her favourite creations are those that have a functional purpose—like accessories, painted mugs, cards, coasters and likewise utilitarian objects—especially focusing on multimedia works.
