Minds On
Let’s get started!
Exploring art
Explore the following artwork.

My Heart (Is Beautiful) by Christi Belcourt, 2009
A nine-foot-by-twelve-foot painting of about fifty diverse plants and animals represented in bright hues on a dark background. There are very small white dots, cool-hued dots, and larger neutral-hued circles spread throughout the dark background. The left side and right side of the image have a symmetrical arrangement of plants and animals. All of these shapes are created with many tiny dots of paint that look like beads. In the lower corners of the image are the roots of plants whose stems curve and branch out across the entire painting. Many diverse plants grow out of these stems and fill most of the space in the image. These plants include arrowhead, bear berry, birch, blanket flower, blueberry, blue flag, cedar, chokeberry, daisy, dandelion, dogbane, juniper, leather leaf, maple, oak, old man whiskers, pine, pink lady's slipper, purple prairie cone flower, rabbit tobacco, raspberry, rose, sarsaparilla, spruce, strawberry, sumac, tamarack, tiger lily, wild rice, and yarrow. Spread out among the plants are a couple of chickadees, hummingbirds, sparrows, spider webs, robins, ticks, and woodpeckers. In the lower central part of the image is a small body of water with a turtle and snake in it. Cattails, pitcher plants, pond lilies, and sundews are growing in and around the water with their roots visible below the surface. In the upper corners of the image there are ribbons of diverse hues hanging near the top of a stem.
- How does this artwork make you feel?
- What do you notice about the style of this artwork?
- Do you notice any symbols represented in this artwork? What do you think they might mean?
Record your responses using a method of your choice. If possible, share your thoughts with a partner.
Symbol
A symbol is any thing that is used to represent something else.
Source: (www.christibelcourt.com/ artist-statement)
Action
Get ready, get set…
Symbols in art
The artwork from our Minds On activity is by the Métis artist Christi Belcourt and contains many symbols.
A symbol can be any mark, image, or object that represents something else. Different communities might share common symbols, but each symbol can have diverse meanings.
For example, birds are important symbols all around the world, but they can mean many things. In some places a bird symbol can mean peace, good luck, or long life. In other places, a bird symbol can mean war, bad luck, or death.
A set of symbols including: a figure of a person, an arrow pointing left, a dove, a question mark, a dollar sign, a white cross on a red background, a stoplight, a bonfire, a thermometer.
Artists use symbols to convey meaning and add depth to the message they are communicating in their artwork.
The choice of colour, size, quantity, placement, and orientation can play a significant role in the interpretation of a symbol. Artists emphasize symbols by using contrasting colours, by making them larger, by repeating them, or by placing them in the centre of an image. This shows an audience what the artist feels is most important in their artwork.
Artists use symbols that mean something specific to them. Understanding an artist's intention or reason for using a symbol helps the audience recognize the meaning of their artwork.
Christi Belcourt

Christi Belcourt in front of My Heart (Is Beautiful) in 2010
Christi Belcourt is a Métis artist and author from the community of Manitou Sakhigan (Lac Ste. Anne) in Alberta, Canada. She creates artwork that uses symbols to share her respect for the traditions and understandings of her culture and community.
Belcourt also works as an environmentalist and advocates for the lands and waters to be respected and protected for future generations.
Did You Know
The Métis
The Métis are a distinct people and Nation in the historic Northwest who emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries. The initial unions between First Nations women and European men led to the creation of Métis communities who remain distinct from First Nations and European communities. The area known as the “historic Métis Nation Homeland” includes the three prairie provinces and extends into Ontario, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, and the northern United States.
It is important to remember that Métis is not used to describe any person of mixed Indigenous ancestry. Rather, Métis means “a person who self-identifies as Métis, is distinct from other Aboriginal peoples, is of historic Métis Nation ancestry, and is accepted by the Métis Nation.”
Source: (Métis Nation of Ontario)

Tiny beads arranged in an asymmetrical radial pattern form the shape of a rose. The flower is made with various warm red hues. The leaves are made with various cool green hues.
Source: (Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada, Canadian Geographic)
The Métis are known as the Flower Beadwork People by the Dakota and the Cree because the flower is a common symbol in their beadwork art and embroidery.
Examining symbols in art
Examine the following painting from our Minds On activity.
Click the image to enlarge in a new window.

My Heart (Is Beautiful) by Christi Belcourt, 2009
A nine-foot-by-twelve-foot painting of about fifty diverse plants and animals represented in bright hues on a dark background. There are very small white dots, cool-hued dots, and larger neutral-hued circles spread throughout the dark background. The left side and right side of the image have a symmetrical arrangement of plants and animals. All of these shapes are created with lines made of many tiny dots of paint that look like beads. In the lower corners of the image are the roots of plants whose stems curve and branch out across the entire painting. Many diverse plants grow out of these stems and fill most of the space in the image. These plants include arrowhead, bear berry, birch, blanket flower, blueberry, blue flag, cedar, chokeberry, daisy, dandelion, dogbane, juniper, leather leaf, maple, oak, old man whiskers, pine, pink lady's slipper, purple prairie cone flower, rabbit tobacco, raspberry, rose, sarsaparilla, spruce, strawberry, sumac, tamarack, tiger lily, wild rice, and yarrow. Spread out among the plants are a couple of chickadees, hummingbirds, sparrows, spider webs, robins, ticks, and woodpeckers. In the lower central part of the image is a small body of water with a turtle and snake in it. Cattails, pitcher plants, pond lilies, and sundews are growing in and around the water with their roots visible below the surface. In the upper corners of the image there are ribbons of diverse hues hanging near the top of a stem.
- How were line, colour, and shape used to create this painting?
- Is the composition of this painting balanced? Why?
- Which parts of this painting do you think might be symbols?
Record your answers using a method of your choice. If possible, share your thoughts with a partner.
Press 'Answers' to access possible answers.
1) |
The lines are made with tiny dots and form organic shapes in bright colours that contrast the dark background. |
2) |
Yes, the composition of this painting is balanced because the left and right sides of the image are symmetrical. There is a vertical line of symmetry in the centre of the image. Vertical symmetry |
3) |
The plants and animals that have been included in the painting might be symbols. |
Belcourt's style reflects Métis beadwork, and she uses a variety of symbols in her artwork that are meaningful in her culture.
Explore the following video of Christi Belcourt explaining the meaning behind specific symbols in her painting My Heart (Is Beautiful).
- Chapters
- descriptions off, selected
- captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
- captions off, selected
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
End of dialog window.
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
She says,
WELL, THE OTHER ELEMENTS
OF THE PAINTING ARE...
THAT THERE'S LITTLE DOTS--
AND I'M NOT SURE YOU CAN SEE
THEM ON CAMERA.
BUT THESE LITTLE DOTS
REPRESENT THE UNIVERSE.
AND...
AND THEN THERE'S OTHER ELEMENTS
LIKE THESE CIRCLES OF,
OF SORT OF COPPER COLOUR,
AND OTHER THINGS LIKE THIS
WHICH REPRESENT
THE SPIRIT WORLD,
IN THE PAINTING.
Christi points to a brown snake and a grey hummingbird in the painting.
She adds,
EACH PLANT HAS, HAS A SPIRIT,
AND THERE'S ALSO SPIRITS THAT
ARE ALWAYS AROUND US,
AND ALWAYS HELPING US.
AND THESE REPRESENT THE SPIRITS
IN THE WATER,
BECAUSE THESE ARE
THE WATER PLANTS.
THE SNAKE, I'VE BEEN TAUGHT,
GROWS THE CLOSEST
TO THE GROUND,
AND HAS AN INTIMATE CONNECTION
WITH MOTHER EARTH,
AND UNDERSTANDS THE
MOVEMENTS OF THE GROUND,
AND HAS A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP
WITH THE EARTH
UNLIKE WHAT WE HAVE.
Christi points to a green and red turtle.
She notes,
AND THERE'S A TURTLE HERE.
THERE'S A COUPLE TURTLES THAT,
THAT I'VE HAD A COUPLE
EXPERIENCES
WITH THIS PAST SUMMER,
AND SO I HONOURED THE TURTLE BY
PUTTING HER IN THERE.
AND THERE'S BIRDS
IN HERE, AS WELL.
THE HUMMINGBIRD...
PARTICULARLY, THIS SUMMER I WAS
GOING THROUGH KIND OF
A ROUGH TIME,
AND EVERY TIME
I WOULD SIT OUTSIDE,
AND I WOULD JUST HAVE
MY EYES CLOSED,
I WOULD HEAR THAT
HUMMINGBIRD COMING--
JUST GO RIGHT BY MY EAR,
AND THEN I'D OPEN MY EYES
AND SEE HER FLY OFF.
AND I'VE SINCE HEARD THAT
HUMMINGBIRDS BRING HAPPINESS,
AND MAYBE THAT'S WHAT SHE WAS
TRYING TO DO WAS BRING ME
A LITTLE BIT OF JOY WHEN I WAS
KIND OF FEELING DOWN.
How has your understanding of this painting changed now that you know the reasons that Belcourt included certain symbols?
- Which of Belcourt's symbols do you relate to the most? Why?
Record your answers using a method of your choice. If possible, share your thoughts with a partner.
Go!
Analyzing symbols in art
Explore the following artist's statement by Christi Belcourt.
“I have nothing to say about my art. I will leave that to others. Everything that drives
me, and drives my art and the mishmash of everything I do in my life is my love for the
earth and my awe of it all. How is it possible
we are even alive? The great power and mystery surrounds us every minute of every day.
Everything - the plants, insects, winds, stars, rocks, animals, us - is a giant web of
pure spirit. Nothing is separate from anything
else. The spirit world surrounds us at all moments and is present in all things. If it's
possible we live in a planet surrounded by stars, then nothing is impossible.”
-
Christi Belcourt
Artist's statement
An artist's statement is a concise summary in which the artist reflects upon and/or analyzes what they have created in order to help the audience understand their intentions, priorities, and techniques.
Analyze the following painting by completing the Analyzing Artwork: Christi Belcourt activity in your notebook or by using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
Using your understanding of Christi Belcourt’s intention and symbols, record answers to the following questions. |
1) How are the elements of design used to create balance in this painting? |
2) Which parts of this painting do you think might be symbols? |
3) What message do you think Belcourt might be conveying through this painting? |
4) What is your own connection to the land and water? What are you thankful for? |
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Analyzing Artwork: Christi Belcourt.
Click the image to enlarge in a new window.

Honouring My Spirit Helpers by Christi Belcourt, 2010
An eight-foot-by-twelve-foot painting of many diverse plants and animals represented in bright hues. The left side and right side of the image have a symmetrical arrangement of plants and animals. The upper two thirds of the background is a bright semi-circle. Inside are stems that curve and branch out across the entire semi-circle. Some of the many diverse plants growing out of these stems include chokecherry, oak, raspberry, and strawberry. There is a single sunflower in the upper-central part of the semi-circle. In the upper corners of the image, the background outside of the semi-circle is a dark cool hue with small neutral-hued circles spread out. The lower third of the background is a dark cool hue on which the roots of all the plants are visible. Beavers, perch, and schools of small fish swim around the roots. Cattails and pond lilies grow above the surface into the bright semi-circle. In the lower central part of the image is a cool-hued half-oval that the roots of all the plants in the semi-circle connect to. At the bottom of the half-oval is a pile of rocks with a neutral-hued circle inside each rock.
Consolidation
Putting it all together
You are now going to create art that has symbols in it. Consider your relationship with the land and water, then use symbols to celebrate and give thanks to the beauty of nature and the universe in your own way.

When you try to create your artwork, remember to give yourself time to practice. Artists practice techniques again and again to build their skills. You can do it, too!
For inspiration, you can explore nature in your community or a find an image of nature that you want to recreate. You can also press the following tabs to explore videos of nature for inspiration.
- Chapters
- descriptions off, selected
- captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
- captions off, selected
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
End of dialog window.
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
Six Canada Geese fly over water. They fly past a large rock in the water.
- Chapters
- descriptions off, selected
- captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
- captions off, selected
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
End of dialog window.
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
- Chapters
- descriptions off, selected
- captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
- captions off, selected
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
End of dialog window.
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
- Chapters
- descriptions off, selected
- captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
- captions off, selected
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
End of dialog window.
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
Materials Needed
Materials you might need
Materials you might need include:
- painting tools (like brushes and acrylic or watercolour paint)
- drawing tools (like a pen, marker, or pencil)
- colouring tools (like markers, pencil crayons, or highlighters)
- paper, cardboard, or canvas
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
Exploring digital creation options
When you are considering digital creation options, explore the variety of digital applications available!
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
Safety
Before you begin, consider these safety precautions:
Creating art with symbols
Creation options
Explore the following carousel of the three possible methods that you can use to create your art with symbols.
Option 1: Description — Record a detailed description of an image that represents celebrating and giving thanks to nature using a method of your choice.
Option 2: Materials — Create an image that represents celebrating and giving thanks to nature using the following materials: painting tools, drawing tools, colouring tools, and paper, cardboard, or canvas.
Option 3: Digital — Create an image that represents celebrating and giving thanks to nature using a digital application of your choice.
Consider the elements of design and principles of design that you will use.
Elements of design
The elements of design are the basic attributes, ideas, and parts that are used to create an artwork. The seven elements of design are line, shape, colour, value, form, texture, and space.
Principles of design
The principles of design are the guidelines used to create art. Principles of design are also used to consider what an artwork may mean. The six principles of design are balance, contrast, emphasis, harmony, movement, and proportion.
Steps
Choose one of the previous options, then press the following tabs to access the steps for creating your art with symbols.
Create a rough outline of your artwork by lightly marking your composition.
Add symbols to your artwork by considering the following questions:
- Where will you place your symbols?
- What will the size of your symbols be?
- What colours will your symbols be?
- Will you repeat your symbols?
- What do the symbols mean to you?
Add details and colour to complete your artwork.
Pause and reflect
Time to reflect
When you are finished creating your artwork or description, reflect on it by creating an artist’s statement.
An artist statement describes your artwork for an audience. It explains the choices that you made about the mediums, materials, and techniques that you used. It also describes the composition of your artwork and the ideas that you want it to convey.
Complete the Artist’s Statement activity in your notebook or by using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
Record an artist’s statement
describing the artwork that you created. It should be at least
one paragraph long (4-6 sentences). Your artist’s statement should include: |
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Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the Artist’s Statement.
Portfolio
Track your progress
If you have an art portfolio, put your artwork or description and artist's statement in there so that you can track your progress over time.
Share your artwork or description and artist's statement with a partner, if possible.
Reflection
As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel…
Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
Learning goals
We are learning to…
- identify and describe some of the ways in which art forms and styles reflect the beliefs and traditions of different communities
- demonstrate an understanding of how to read and interpret symbols and style in artworks
- identify our strengths and interests as creators of art
Success criteria
I am able to…
- explore the work of Christi Belcourt and identify different symbols and learn about their specific meaning
- create symbols in my art using the elements of shape, line, and colour to represent my own ideas and feelings
- create an artist statement explaining what I want to communicate through my artwork