Entrepreneurship: A Lesson in Identity with Patrick Hunter – June 1, 2021

The beauty of art and artistic expression allows us to create deep and meaningful connections with our community, and with ourselves. Patrick Hunter of Patrick Hunter Art & Design shares the importance of honouring your intersecting identities through entrepreneurship and art.

Patrick Hunter is a two spirit, Ojibwe, Woodland artist from Red Lake, Ontario. Patrick paints what he sees through a spiritual lens which is inspired by his homeland and growing up seeing the original works of Woodland painter Norval Morrisseau.

Creating has always been his passion and the focus of his life from an early age. In 2014, “Patrick Hunter Art & Design” was launched, with the intent to create an awareness of Indigenous iconography through artwork that makes people feel good.

Patrick began his business through selling acrylic on canvas paintings, but in recent years, a small clothing and housewares line has been born and sold to people around the world. Strategic partnerships with promotional product companies Cotton Candy & STAPLES has helped Patrick reach new audiences in corporate Canada that want to forge new relationships with diverse businesses through Patrick’s artwork. He was also announced as an Inniskillin Changemaker earlier this year.

Hunter still resides in Toronto, but makes regular journeys home to stay inspired, be with family and teach art classes to the next generation of Woodland artists.

“Being an entrepreneur is really just a lesson in figuring out who you are as a person.”

In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard, Patrick discusses storytelling through art and staying true to yourself as an LGBTQ2+ entrepreneur.

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