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Born in 1949, Roy Thomas was an Ojibwa artist who devoted himself to learning the history and teachings of his people. Thomas' paintings have a quality that commands attention without overwhelming the viewer. His oeuvre reveals an illuminating simplicity - a conversation with Roy was comparable to the stroke of his paintbrush. Roy's work transcends the Ojibwa Woodland Style of his predecessors. His paintings incorporate elements of Ojibwa tradtions, legends and realistic depictions of Native life. Roy often worked with artistically gifted people of various backgrounds and his paintings reflect the ideas he drew from these experiences. "I walked into the AGO and it was a rainbow of colours. On the right there were six huge pieces by Norval Morrisseau. On the left there were six wonderful pieces by Daphne Odjig and in the center, there were my six pieces. I don't know who did the installation but when I walked in there and saw my paintings placed between the two of them I felt a lump in my throat. I always wondered if I would have a chance to show in the same gallery as Daphne and Norval. It was the answer to one of my dreams. The show was amazing. It was such an honour to be in a show with so many people I admired and cherished. Blake Debassige wore a handsome grey tuxedo. Saul Williams was there from Round Lake. Everywhere there were waiters pouring Seven-Up and handing out Benson & Hedges cigarettes. A three-piece band with a harp was playing music. Dressed up people everywhere. I lost Daphne in the crowd, then I noticed her up in the gallery and I went up there to see her. She told me she didn't care for this kind of thing. I looked down at all the people socializing and talking about the paintings. I felt very proud." -Roy Thomas The Spirit of Ahnisnabae Art: A Gallery Edition by James R. Stevens PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW HIS C.V.