When Canadian Geographic‘s editorial team decided to publish a feature story on Métis icon Louis Riel in the July/August 2019 issue, creative director Javier Frutos felt that a story as important as this one, which commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Red River Resistance and the 175th of Riel’s birth, required special artistic treatment.

On the recommendation of Shaun Vincent, the creative director of Winnipeg-based Vincent Design, who helped create the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada, Frutos commissioned Krista Leddy (on Twitter as @beadedchickadee), a Métis artist based out of amiskwaciywâskahikan (Edmonton), to create a beadwork portrait of the leader. 

Leddy’s beadwork is influenced by the teachings and patterns of her Métis ancestors (from the historical communities of St. Albert and Lac St. Anne, Man.), particularly her grandmothers, whose spirits she brings into each piece she creates. Through traditional arts, including beading, sewing, storytelling and dance, Leddy works to reconnect Métis people back to the community.

Scroll down to see how Leddy created her beadwork portrait of Louis Riel.  

THE GREAT MYSTERY PROJECT- a thread
A while ago, I was approached by the amazing @nuahs40 to make a piece for @CanGeo. As you can see, it’s now published. This thread will be about the process of making this piece. #Métis #beading #LouisRiel https://t.co/E6GkINxNfK

— beaded chickadee (@beadedchickadee) June 14, 2019

You wouldn’t believe the amount of energy I spent picking the Louis portrait to use for this piece. Do I go classic? Something different to expand on the image Canadians have of Louis? Well obviously I went classic pose, but that’s ok because I’d have more creative space. pic.twitter.com/ttgrWU5FZQ

— beaded chickadee (@beadedchickadee) June 14, 2019

Then came the sketching. How to simplify lines, shapes, & then plan where I would integrate the hidden imagery of infinities & the Métis rose. pic.twitter.com/KcgY5u54dp

— beaded chickadee (@beadedchickadee) June 14, 2019

The base was the next step. I chose black Melton wool. I had thought about velvet (Métis fancy!) or hide, but the wool just felt right. It was like the grandmothers pointed it out at the fabric store, that it represents our history & tradition. Never argue with the grandmothers. pic.twitter.com/mp2UkIuz3k

— beaded chickadee (@beadedchickadee) June 14, 2019

Stitched the pattern on, & here we go. SLAM ON THE BRAKES! What about colours? Texture? What kind of story am I going to tell? I cracked open my personal jar of bead soup & started playing with colours & ideas. This took a while. pic.twitter.com/qzsHQU1syh

— beaded chickadee (@beadedchickadee) June 14, 2019

I began with Louis’ clothing. This section went relatively quickly. The process I followed with this piece was to get the major outlines & key details beaded & then remove the paper. pic.twitter.com/9fqG0SnESQ

— beaded chickadee (@beadedchickadee) June 14, 2019

I really struggled after getting Louis’ body done. The colours & story just hit a wall. Nothing was working. Nothing looked right. I put it down & worked on other things. I took out the beads I had laid down & waited. pic.twitter.com/szoeVfRgkl

— beaded chickadee (@beadedchickadee) June 14, 2019

I needed direction. I talked to my kids, community members, & listened to what was happening in my community. I started to get frustrated. Then I had a dream & everything was laid out. I dreamt about my kids, the youth I work with, & felt I needed a rainbow.

— beaded chickadee (@beadedchickadee) June 14, 2019

So I started again. pic.twitter.com/jBVISGI47D

— beaded chickadee (@beadedchickadee) June 14, 2019

So then I started to really get moving. pic.twitter.com/c4jFnFTdQx

— beaded chickadee (@beadedchickadee) June 14, 2019

The sweet sweet sound of tearing paper! Not going to sugar coat it – I spent a few hours picking the tiny bits of paper from under the stitching. Needles & fine tweezers make the job bearable. pic.twitter.com/3cLbZpTUWE

— beaded chickadee (@beadedchickadee) June 14, 2019

Pick pick pick pick… once done it’s time to fill! pic.twitter.com/1TXls801Jy

— beaded chickadee (@beadedchickadee) June 14, 2019

The filling begins. I filled his moustache first because it demanded to be made lusciously full. It was at this point I felt he was coming alive on the wool. pic.twitter.com/kZ5XfXoCJN

— beaded chickadee (@beadedchickadee) June 14, 2019

The piece begins to look a little more robust. I used the different sizes, tones, & shapes of the beads to get that feeling of texture & play with the hidden images. pic.twitter.com/QpNXLkCQOw

— beaded chickadee (@beadedchickadee) June 14, 2019

The clothing! The sparkle in the sunshine is unreal. I could stare at this all day. It’s also a delight to feel. pic.twitter.com/SKf18dZdzd

— beaded chickadee (@beadedchickadee) June 14, 2019

This wee little infinity was a real hassle. I beaded that three times with different colours. Again, I had a dream & my only thought waking up was “yellow!!” pic.twitter.com/OtqHw5e5h6

— beaded chickadee (@beadedchickadee) June 14, 2019

It was very satisfying to fill the hair. pic.twitter.com/OAsN6cKRzX

— beaded chickadee (@beadedchickadee) June 14, 2019

After the fill, I still had a few paper bits that needed addressing. pic.twitter.com/ZNIWLB0UtL

— beaded chickadee (@beadedchickadee) June 14, 2019

He seems finished with the fill, but he’s not even close to finished. It was time to do something with his face. My Kokum told me a story about her Auntie (who saw Louis) & said he was quite a handsome man. pic.twitter.com/JHodFUdZMo

— beaded chickadee (@beadedchickadee) June 14, 2019

I started to use some antique micros on his face. Amethyst coloured & would have been used by Métis beaders at the time Louis was alive. A bit of history to connect my Louis with the real Louis Riel. pic.twitter.com/XVoAGPXI8s

— beaded chickadee (@beadedchickadee) June 14, 2019

A small detail to the eyes & Louis was ready for his big trip to @cangeo. With one last step… pic.twitter.com/oeabDHnBke

— beaded chickadee (@beadedchickadee) June 14, 2019

…seal the many many many many knots on the back. While Louis will be framed & displayed, the integrity of the knots is what will keep this piece pristine for many years. pic.twitter.com/QDNyrtXYdR

— beaded chickadee (@beadedchickadee) June 14, 2019

“Technicolour Louis” -2019, mixed media. #Métis #beading #LouisRiel pic.twitter.com/EIgHciz5sa

— beaded chickadee (@beadedchickadee) June 14, 2019