Oolooriaq Mike

Oolooriaq Mike was raised in Iqaluit, Nunavut. A self-taught artist, she learned by watching her grandmother`s late sister draw at her kitchen table. Putting pencil to paper, Mike began to mimic her aunt`s movement, and after some practice, she developed her style.  This is where she began to learn about the original drawing styles of the 1950’s Inuit art scene.

Over the years, she has developed her trademark technique. Mike starts by drawing at the top of the page and works her way to the bottom. This method allows her to center her drawings. Once Oolooriaq begins to draw, she does not stop until she has filled in the entire space. This element of intense focus is crucial to her style. Listening to Inuit music hones her attention, and if you are lucky enough to see her draw, you will see her hand following the beat of the music. Inuit culture and the Arctic landscape inspires her artwork. While grounded within Inuit cultural values, she also illustrates around themes related to women.