Tracy Kovalench
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 25/98) - He constructed his furniture out of pine, his latest sculpture is almost complete and Randy Sibbeston sits on his Yellowknife porch singing the blues.

But these days the multi-talented, newlywed artist doesn't have much to be blue about.

Last summer, Sibbeston was commissioned to paint a mural for the Fort Simpson's Visitor Centre. This past winter, he performed at the Arctic Winter Games opening ceremonies and in July, Sibbeston will play at Yellowknife's Folk on the Rocks.

"Art is a public expression of a private truth," says Sibbeston. "I see a silence or a dark area in the human mind, then I try to create a form of art that will illuminate that."

Sibbeston composes and performs his own music. A former student of the Musicians' Institute in Los Angeles, he continues to focus on his vocal skills and plans to put together a CD in the fall.

"It's a matter of living because if you don't have any unique experiences to sing about, it's just crap."

Through song as well as on canvas, Sibbeston communicates his personal truth.

He sold his first drawing in Grade 8. In 1994 he spent a year at the Emily Carr College of Art and Design. Now his paintings cover the walls of Bannockland, a bed and breakfast owned by his parents.

"My dad wants to buy everything I paint," Sibbeston says.

Future prospects lie in a series of paintings of the Nahanni River area. Sibbeston has applied for funding from the NWT Arts Council and is awaiting response.

Married on the May long weekend, Sibbeston has taken a breath from his paints and is spending the next two weeks living off the land with his new bride, Stephanie Papik.