David J. Brooks (1950-2014, from Truro, Nova Scotia) was the first Mi'kmaq artist collected by the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. He was influenced by the popular Eastern Woodland style of work which was founded by Ojibwe artist Norval Morrisseau from Northern Ontario. Typical of this genre of painting, which emphasizes outlines and x-ray views of plant life, animals, and people in vivid colours, Brooks has incorporated in his artwork an intense colour palette and crisp dark lines to depict images from Mi'kmaq legends.