Shea Duncan and his family have been admirers of Bernie Brown's work throughout the years. (Submitted photo/Shea Duncan)

By Derek Cornet

Western Canada

Personal collection on display showcases family’s shared love of art

Aug 15, 2025 | 6:00 AM

An exhibit on display by the La Ronge Arts Council is celebrating the work of Bernie Brown through a personal collection shared by local resident Shea Duncan.

“He’s been a family artist we have appreciated over the years,” Duncan explained.

“I have taken an interest in Bernie because a lot of the things I see from my childhood or I see from life as it is now.”

Brown is a self-taught pencil artist who was born and raised in Saskatchewan, but now lives on a ranch in Alberta. His work depicts Western Canadian landscapes, heritage, wildlife and its people.

The drawings currently being exhibited at the Alex Robertson Public Library have been created only using HB pencils. Each piece of work took 40 to more than 100 hours depending on its complexity and size.

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While Brown has been a favourite artist in Duncan’s family, he noted during the pandemic, his collection has grown from 10 or 11 to several dozens.

A sample of the collection of artwork currently on display. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

“You’re in isolation, you start maybe getting a little more sentimental or you get a little more nostalgic. Your not getting all that family time and stuff like that, so I kind of got into collecting it more and more,” he said.

“I just started adding to it … and it got a little out of hand. It’s kind of fun and nice and I have met a lot of people.”

The selected pieces are favourites of Duncan’s as they hold some kind of meaning or significance. He added Brown’s work has resonated with him and reminds him of different moments in his life.

The collection is also a tribute to Duncan’s late mother, Trudy, who was an admirer of Brown’s work. The exhibit in not only meant to honour the talent of Brown, but also the bond between a mother and child built through a shared love of art.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com