I just found Nick has an online store, and I thought I’d do a post about him. Way back when, over 10 years ago, I worked in an area where Nick had a Native American Store with a gal from Wisconsin. I would stop by and they’d brew some indian tea, and we’d sit around and talk. I went to pow wow’s with them, and I would watch him paint, and sometimes we would paint together. When I got married, he and his wife attended our wedding. I learned a lot about the Native perspective on issues like Columbus Day, which I never even dreamed of. Nick’s brother is a real wildman, by the way, Mike Cywink.
I am a painter, and Nick was very supportive of my work. Here are some examples of his. I always thought his paintings on rocks were incredibly beautiful, and carrying on a tradition of rock painting is a poetic statement. When my husband and I travelled to Sodona Arizona, we saw petroglyphs on rocks, and I always thought of Nick when I saw them…although Nick’s reflect more of Canada’s scenic backdrop. Here’s a copy of his bio–I can’t find the ones that I thought I still had…I don’t know if you can read it…
But as you can see, he uses a lot of natural materials in his work, birchbark, rocks, all from his native Canada. I can remember when he would bring the raw materials into his studio, clean them up and start working. Sometimes friends of his would come into town from the reservation. Life on the reservation is tough; he’s kind of a legend there. He fell in love with a local woman and moved here, leaving Canada behind. For a time. But they eventually divorced, and he made his migration back up to Canada. The last I knew, he was in Wisconsin, but I realize now he made it all the way back home. It was kind of a funny gradual migration back, it reminded me of how the Indians used to travel with the seasons.
Here is a link to Nick’s store online., Ride A Wild Horse Studio.
This is Len’s ebay store out of Florida, he sells Nick’s work you can check it out here.
Look closely at that rock and you’ll see faces that he carefully picked out and accentuated in the natural contours. His talent continues to develop, I find his work beautiful–just the kind of thing to find in a man’s study, a library, an office, a family room, a boy’s room, etc.. I tried to encourage him to do large canvases, but I know the birchbark/rocks are working for him.
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“a wild man eh!”. Imagine that, i am surfing the site and come across yours. Brother Nick is recouping from a slight heart attack, stress related. I am presently working as the Curator for the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation on Manitoulin Island. http://www.theocf.ca. Keep in touch.
Mike, that is sooo cool. Good to know you’re ok. Still fancy dancin’? I am SOOO sorry about Nick, what kind of stress could he possibly be under? Last I knew all he was doing was running away from women, lol…you know, that wild horse and all…Please keep me informed! HA! Yes, and you were/are…!
I spent a summer with Mikes & Nicks family at Man. Island. They are first class people. I wish them both the best. Neil(Amigo)Melanson
They are really good people. I met his mom when she came to visit and he was still married…and also one of his sisters, not to mention wild man Mike!!!
I saw Nick’s site for the first time a few months back (not sure if it was a post by Cao or not) and enjoyed his work — reminded me of a personal friend from years ago, who has since passed on, by the name of Blackbear Bosin — do a Google search, and you can see quite a bit of his beautiful Indian artwork.
With respect to the above guys, they are working together with another guy called doncada. The three amigos combine their talents together and deliver a presentation that makes sense of the interrelatedness between time, space, spirituality, and the everyday. It is great.
“Nick’s always been one of my favourite artists. I wish good things for his new site. Hey! Do I know you too? (for Cao)
I don’t know, Greg. I was around during the time Nick and Kathy ran their store in Palatine. I went to Pow Wow’s at U of I, and up in Wisconsin, and hung out at his gallery.
Hi Cao,
I have Nick Cywink’s work all over my house. My father died in March and I had to pick up all of his inventory from his Native American store in Racine. My wife and I loved Nick’s work and just about every room in the house has one of his framed pics up.
Just yesterday as I was looking through some of my dad’s things I came across a picture of a man in my dad’s house painting small canvases. I turned the pic over and it said”Nick Cywink painting at the ranch”. “The ranch” was my dad’s name for his small studio apartment.
I’m wondering if you may have known my father. He worked in Racine and his store was called Native Clarity. His name was Chuck Bannach.
I came to your site by accident, but really enjoy the content. We seem to have like minds.
mark
Nick’s stop in Wisconsin was as he was slowly making the trek back up north to home. I’m sorry to say I didn’t ever meet your father, but if he was in any way connected with Nick, I am certain he was a very good man, as Nick is good people. He followed many of the old ways and I miss him, watching him paint, and our long talks.
Nick is a great and talented artist. By the way… all of the Cywinks are artists in their own unique way (excellent ones at that) and all have that same golden heart….
I have to agree, Kerri, although…Mike is a wild man.
My english name is Theresa Brill I am looking for the one that says he is the curator of the musieum on Manito Island….is that on Lake Superior? If so i’d like to know more maybe me n my daughters could take a trip up there this summer….I am Menominee n Ojibwe….my yahoo messenger is ogiicheduekwe….miigwetch n baapaamii
I sent Mike a message. He’ll probably get in touch with you. Megwitch, Biwabamishinam Menawah.
Chi miigwetch for that….he did get back to me I will write him today….I do have an idea for a painting that I could never do cuz I am not gifted like that….it’s what I saw in a dream if Nick would like to hear about it I htink he could defentally do it….it would be great for the ppls to see I think….some Dreams are for the ppls n this is one….minawa kawabamin nijii
Here is news, My Brother Nick is still happening with the paints and stones, My contract with the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation came to a close due to lack of funding. I do launch my 1st published book at the end of November 24, 25, 26,2006 in Toronto, Rodgers Center, Canadian Aboriginal Festival. I am published under Rain Publishing http://www.rainbooks.com Should you or any of your connections be in Toronto for this International event please drop by at Booth 1403. The title is “The Adventures of Crazy Turtle”, It is a short story for children of all ages. It is ment to help one understand the ‘spirit being’ in side their shell.
Later. Mike Cy.
Cool! Thanks for stopping back and leaving the updates.
For Mike Cywink:
Hello,
My name is Sherrie Marchi. It sounds like your brother Nick who had Wild Horse Studio in my town of Palatine, IL, back in 92-93 maybe 94; I made his business cards. Anyway, all these years later I remember him when my son’s class is trying to make an authentic (as possible) dreamcatcher, and we’re looking for some help. Is he still in this area? Do you know anyone in this area around Chicago that can help us, we’ll pay. That would be amazing! I’ll look forward to your response! please reach me at sherriem@ameritech.net. Thank you. Sherrie
Nick – I’ve been trying to get in touch with you. I have some of your pictures and promiced to send pictures of them to you. I’ve done it and have tried to find you.
I believe you might be a spy as you have so many addresses….it is indeed suspecious.hahhaha I’d love to hear how you and Mike are doing. Patt
This is actually for Mark Bannach. I knew your father….I used to volunteer for him in his store for a few yrs. I did not know he walked on but felt it awhile back. I am sad to hear this. How is Mary n where did she end up? You know your father loved yous greatly! I know this for sure! Anyway….email me n we can talk on this more private. He was chums with Cywink….I remember that also the way his eyes would light up as he spoke of him. Mary also for that matter LOL. Did you find a minature scene Lakota style with the teepee n that there n a river n that on a wooden board? I made that n other things also for them. nibabaugdonnas@yahoo.com
I am back !
I am back !
OMG! I am so glad! I’ll send you an email!