Chantelle Trainor-Matties (Dip.VA), is an artist specializing in illustration, graphic design and acrylic painting. She works for herself and does freelance and contract work for other businesses and projects. Her main inspirations are her late ferret children who live on in her artwork. Other favorite subjects are flora and fauna, pop culture, the macabre, and North West Coast art inspired by her Nisga’a and Métis heritage.
“I believe the world needs a lot more people treating others with love and respect which is why the message on the shirt is “Build Others Up, Don’t Tear Them Down”. Otters love to play with rocks, so in this illustration one otter is sharing their favorite rock with a new friend. My love for my ferret companions inspired this piece, both ferrets and otters are from the same family and are very social creatures that represent unity and friendship. The Nisga’a word for otter is watsx?. I am proud that my artwork is a part of Pink Shirt Day.”
-Chantelle