Scott Pynn was surprised when he was told he was being considered to attend the 2012 Northern Lights Business and Cultural Showcase in Ottawa.
While Mr. Pynn works daily on his art between tattooing at his shop Darkside Tattoos in Labrador City and creating paintings, he says that he wasn't aware his work was being watched by so many people.
"I didn't apply for this," he said. "They just called me. There was a lady in Goose Bay, Roxanne Dyson, she called me and told me they'd like to consider me because she saw my work a couple of years ago. She presented my work to her bosses, they really liked it and they just picked me to go."
The conference, which is being held Feb. 1-4, attracts more than1,000 attendees and 140 exhibitors. Mr. Pynn says he is excited to have the opportunity to experience it.
"It's supposed to be a big thing," he said. "It's held in the Ottawa Convention Centre and there will be all sorts of artists, craftsman, textile workers, sculptors, carvers and painters. And the art exhibit is just one part. There's also the business aspect that should be interesting. There are exhibits on mining development in northern regions and things like that."
Mr. Pynn won't just be there to take it all in, however. He'll also be working during the trip.
"I'll be painting while I'm out there," he said. "They're going to have artist demonstrations so I'll be painting every day. They also gave me a larger space. Most artists are getting a small booth, but I'll be out in the open with more room to display my work."
Of everything planned while he is in Ottawa, Mr. Pynn says the welcome luncheon with David Suzuki will probably be the most exciting event.
"He's going to be giving a little lecture about global warming," he said. "It should be nice to get to meet him; he's a pretty epic Canadian."
Overall, however, Mr. Pynn says he is just thankful for the opportunity to share what he loves to do.
"Just getting my art out to a new audience is a great opportunity," he said. "I've got about 30 original paintings done for the conference. I started working on them when I heard about this. I kind of shut down the tattoo shop for this month and focused my attention to painting. I've been living in my studio."
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