b'Despite his huge success, art always came before business for Janvier and he allowed his family to handle the financial aspects of his careerPNIAI wasnt formed to make sales. Itateenagerandwatchinghimdraw was made to give voice [to] the fact thatattention to his works with every exhibit a lot of Indigenous artists werent beingandconversation.Hewasalways given the opportunity to show their arttalking about his art and focused on in galleries, and were instead beingdeveloping his own unique style, she told they could show their art in a warsays. He was good at building a name museum, which wasnt the same thing,for himself and bringing attention to recalls Jill. What PNIAI did is give himhis paintings. Bit by bit, his paintings a chance to get together and talk aboutgrew in value, and he started receiving what was going on and strategize onawardsandrecognition,whichalso how to break down these barriers thatwere important steps along the way.they were facing as a group.Janviers work ethic was important to ART FIRST his success as a professional painter, For Janvier, art always came beforesayshisdaughterTricia.Hestayed business. Alex was a dreamer, andtrue to himself and worked many long in real artist fashion, he was not reallyhours. He produced a massive amount interestedinbusiness, Tyeshasays.of work and would encourage anyone He knew he wanted to be paid fairly,topaint,toputdowneverything but he wanted to create art more. Heelse,andgetserious,orfocused allowed his family to eventually takeontheirtalenttocreatetheirown over the business side. He was keptauthentic style. in the loop as much as he wanted, but often in staff meetings he would bowAuthentic,influentialandenduring. out gracefully to go paint in the studio. ThesewordsdescribebothAlex Janviers work and the legacy he leaves This was Janviers attitude for muchin the trusted care of family, friends and of his career. Growing up, Jill recallsartists who will remember him as one of following her father to his shows asCanadas guiding lights.Indigenous BUSINESS REPORT95'