A Couple of Favorite Artist Friends

PrestonCecilClarissa

Two of my favorite friends who are excellent artists, Preston Singletary (L), Cecil Touchon and I — @ Preston’s annual show during Santa Fe Indian Market, Blue Rain Gallery, Santa Fe, NM — Friday, August 22, 2014– photo by Nisa Touchon

I don’t know why, but I always wanted these two people to meet.  Maybe it’s because they are “famous” — maybe it’s because they are almost like two peas in a pod — maybe it’s because one is an Aquarian and the other a Leo…!  Guess which is which.  Whatever the case, I think I wanted them to meet because they are a couple of my favorite people and this evening during Preston’s annual show opening at the Blue Rain Gallery in Santa Fe, Cecil and his wife, Rosalia and daughter Nisa, showed up!  I forgot I had told them about the show opening; I am so happy they came, so happy for these two guys to meet — (don’t ask me why I wanted them to meet, all I know is that I was happy for them to finally meet one another; you ever feel that way about two of your favorite buddies meeting?)…

You may check out Cecil’s paintings and collages at his website:  www.ceciltouchon.com

You may check out Preston’s glassblowing at:  www.prestonsingletary.com

We Weavers Met Nearly 25 Years Ago

 

Clarissa with Donna Cranmer (Alert Bay, B.C.) and Ann Smith (Whitehorse, Yukon)

Clarissa with Donna Cranmer (Alert Bay, B.C.) and Ann Smith (Whitehorse, Yukon) at the Sealaska Art Fair during Celebration 2014, Juneau Alaska — Louis Hope receives a pair of mukluks

There was a core group of us weavers, like little more than a handfull who were weaving Chilkat back in the late 80’s; some of those women were Canadian, some were Alaskan — didn’t matter, we were all related somehow!  They included Ernestine Hanlon, Suzi Williams, Anna Brown Ehlers, Irene Jimmy, Ann Smith, Donna Cranmer, and myself.  There were not very many of us back then; not like today.  (I apologize if I forgot to include you!)

It was sure good to meet up with Donna and Ann; we all hadn’t seen one another in 13 years!  From 1992 to 2001, we would have Indigenous Weavers’ Gatherings once or twice a year; they began with our hostess Ernestine Hanlon in 1992 in Hoonah – from there we organically grew…a weaver would host a gathering in her home in her home town…we hosted them in Juneau, Haines, Sitka, Alert Bay, Prince Rupert, etc….and it’s been so long, I forget where else!

It’s a darn good thing I blog else I’d forget what I’ve done and where I’ve been and who’ve I done whatever I did where and when!  It’s really hard to keep up with myself!

 

“No Red in Chilkat Weaving…” Maria Ackerman Miller

Cheap Chilkat weaving in colors of red (a taboo), black, turquoise and cream — by Clarissa Rizal 1985

30 years ago, when there were less than a handful of weavers, I thought I’d try my hand at Chilkat weaving without an instructor.   I wove this Chilkat sampler using cheap clothesline for warp and commercial 4-ply black, turquoise, cream and red (a taboo) weft yarns.  Instead of using the traditional yellow, I thought red would be nifty because the rest of our traditional artwork uses these same colors, so why not?

According to a Chilkat weaving elder from Haines, Alaska, the late Maria Ackerman Miller warned me not to use red in the weaving  because it signifies the weaver as being egotistical.  Both Maria and the late Jennie Thlunaut said weavers only use red for example in the tongue of a wolf.

Cotton clothesline used as warp for a Chilkat sampler by Clarissa Rizal — 1985

I have never publicly shown this weaving until now.  I’ve hidden it for 30 years and it is now coming out of the closet.  I have reasons for this.   I want to show an example of one of my very first attempts at Chilkat weaving, where I didn’t have some one to help “show me the way” nor receive proper instruction on using fine, traditional materials or to teach me the taboos…yet (not until my apprenticeship with Jennie Thlunaut the following year in 1986).  I show this sampler here also to show any beginner students of Chilkat weaving to have compassion for self as you learn the intricacies of weaving in this style; you WILL become a better weaver — a few of us start out as perfect weavers, others like myself do not!  Not until last year have I felt like I know what I am doing in Chilkat weaving… 30 years later!  hello!

I also wanted to show my tendency to get a big head, especially when I was younger!

Teachings such as the ones I received from Maria Miller Ackerman and Jennie Thlunaut are invaluable; they help keep us on the right “spiritual” path.  Our elders will tell us many things we do not understand, though we have the respect to follow through with their words and their example without question.  In our culture, we do not ask the question “why?”  A respectful Native (or non-Native) person will heed an elder’s lead.

It is good to be humbled now and then.  Sometimes we do get big-headed; we forget the words of our Native mentors, though there are things that bring us back to “who we are.”

“Ishmael” by Daniel Quinn

“Ishmael” – a novel by Daniel Quinn — 1st published in 1992

I highly recommend this novel.  If there ever was a story that could help explain the differences between any of the Indigenous cultures around the world and the Western way of living, this is the story.  After the first 40 years of my life I evolved into becoming aware of the differences; writer Daniel Quinn explains it eloquently and he tells it like the way our elders would have:  through a written version of an “oral history” between a Gorilla and a man.

While escaping from the cold in Alaska and Colorado and healing at my friend’s home in the 80 degree warmth of Scottsdale, Arizona this past month, I had some time to actually read because I had to do what is called “bed rest.”  Doctor’s orders.   There are only a couple of things that can keep me in bed, and book-reading is one of them!  Since I was required to rest because of that past bout with Pneumonia, I raided my friend’s bookshelf!  Golly, what a feast!

I cannot remember the last time I created the luxury of reading books.  It’s been at least 4 or 5 years.   “Ishmael” kept me rested!

To purchase a copy of this book on Amazon, please click here

 

Two Years Since Buddy Tabor’s Passing

Buddy Tabor – Castle Valley, Moab, Utah – 2006 – I imagine that if he saw this particular photo, he may have used it for an album cover

I don’t think Buddy saw any of these photos I took of him. I think this series of photos in this blog entry he would have enjoyed seeing.  It’s been two years since his passing on February 5, 2012.  This blog entry is in honorable memory of him.

Buddy with friends Connie and Phil – 2006

Every year in the Falltime he would make his annual visit.  He always encouraged us to take a weekend trip somewhere in the Southwest.  One year he rented a real jeep and we went into Canyonlands National Park just south of Moab, Utah.  Gawd, what an adventure!  Something I had never done before or since!  The photos here in the Southwest were taken in Castle Valley, near Moab, Utah.

Buddy Tabor Running Rocks – Utah – 2006 – this could have been an album cover too

There are many of us across this continent who miss Buddy.  An unforgettable singer-songwriter gone with a blinding flash of light!

Buddy Tabor – 2006

Buddy Tabor with my lovebird, Kiwi – 2005 – though I’d like to think that this photo and the next could have been album covers too!

Buddy Tabor Bear – 2005 – this could have been an album cover for his 2nd children’s album!

Additions To Our Lives

Clarissa’s four grandchildren, Bette, Louis Violet and Amelie – with another on its way due at end of July 2014

When we are young, we don’t think about the things middle-agedness and old-age may bring us.  We are thinking about getting through the day-by-day stuff and we may plan a little bit into the future maybe 5 years down the road.  The thoughts about preparing for being middle-aged and old-aged are the farthest things from our minds let alone taking action to prepare for it.  That’s like doing everything you can now to prepare for having the perfect experiences in having a baby and raising that kid!  uh-huh.  Live is an ever-changing, ever-learning experience as we grow up, plateau and then “grow-down.”  We learn as we go.

I thought that possibly I would have grandchildren but I really didn’t know what that would look like, nor did I know how I would feel once these kids came into being.  With the addition of these young souls in my life, I’m doing things right now to help provide me with the feeling that I have the time to truly be with my kids.  I say “feeling” because much of the time, when I am with them, I might be there in person, but because I am a full-time artist and the income I make is entirely from my art business, I’m always thinking of my work.  (And all of you who have been a full-time, self-employed artist know exactly what I am talking about—-we do not have the luxury of leaving the office and the rest of the night or weekend is free—-that’s because we ARE the office and we carry our business mind-set wherever we go!).

So for me to FEEL the freedom of truly hanging out with my grandchildren, I’ve got to know that every month my bills will be paid.  That is hard to do with sporadic income.  So I am making attempts to diversify my income.  Diversification doesn’t mean that I will quit doing art for income; it means that I am adding other ways to make income.

Like I said, I am making additions to my life so that I can feel the freedom of truly being with the greatest of all my additions:  my grandchildren!

Happy 34th to Eldest Daughter, Lily Hope

Lily Lalanya Hudson Hope and her mother, Clarissa – December 2013 – Juneau, Alaskaphoto by Kelly Burnett

The moment Lily was born the morning of January 30, 1980, my condemning, self-judgments began to cease.  This thing called “love of self” was felt in every cell of my body; I remember it quite well.  I feel this is the gift she gave to her mother and this is the gift she gives to the rest of the world – it is also the gift in and of herself.

Lily is all kinds of things, but first and foremost the past six years, she is a mother of two of my favorite people in the world, Bette (Grandma’s nickname for her is “SikiKwaan”) and Louis (Grandma’s nickname for him is “Ajuju”).  She enjoys  homeschooling her kids; being a full-time mother right now is her favorite job, though for her sanity, she has her own weaving/sewing/beadworking room!

Lily has done all kinds of jobs, she always went “up the ladder” in no time due to her organizational abilities, her mathematical mind and her love to just be busy making people happy.  When she was 18, after only a month, she became the manager of McDonald’s in Pagosa Springs, Colorado; then at 20 she became the Marketing Director for Whole Foods in Santa Fe, New Mexico and a beadwork artist for an internationally-famous mask-maker out of New Orleans.  When she returned to her hometown of Juneau, Alaska 10 years ago to help take care of her Grandma Irene, she was led back into her Native roots.

She received her Bachelors Degree from the University of Alaska Southeast in 2005.  By way of Perseverance Theatre in Douglas, she became an actress and with the assistance of her Grandpa Bob Hudson attended the San Francisco School of Acting.  She also became an award-winning storyteller, winning top awards in the All-Alaska Storytelling competition; she and her husband, Ishmael Hope have performed at the Smithsonian.   She got back into Ravenstail and Chilkat weaving and won 1st Place for the 4-piece, child-size woven ensemble in the Traditional Arts category of the Sealaska Juried Art Show.  She used to have a website under Lily Hudson, but her name changed when she married Ishmael and she hasn’t gotten her younger sister, Ursala the web-designer to create a new website just yet.  Although you can visit Ishmael’s superb website at:  www.alaskanativestoryteller.com

Ishmael, Lily and their two children live happily  in Douglas, Alaska.

Happy Birthday, my Nina!

Happy 37th to Son, Kahlil Hudson

Kahlil Lampe Hudson – 37 years old on January 19, 2014

37 years ago today, my son Kahlil Lampe Hudson was born.  Strong-willed and energetic about everything, he was always a handsome one; I remember Grandma Shirley Hudson warning us “oh he’s a real looker…the girls are gonna flock all over him…!”   He was the first grandchild on both sides.  The only grandson on my side of the family, my parents spoiled him rotten.

Kahlil’s gift to me the moment he was born was patience.  I sure wasn’t born with patience, but this boy is all about patience.  He is one of the most patient people I know (and I know he didn’t get it from my side of the family!).  I first developed patience with Kahlil; I have been learning patience since.  Kahlil and I  butt heads while we were growing up until he was 16 and I was 36; we had our last argument in this incidence:  I snapped a kids-size broomstick over his right shoulder, and while I was in shock at my behavior, I told myself that whatever topic he and I didn’t  agree on, just leave it alone, it ain’t worth it!  And that was the end of our dumb bickering.

Kahlil is a professional film-maker/cinematographer/photographer receiving his Masters Degree from UCLA.  His work has led him all over the world, from India to British Columbia to France and Africa, throughout the U.S.  and the most interesting project yet, the Missionary Children on the Pine Ridge Reservation.  With his best friend Tyler Hughen, Finback Films was created – they won numerous awards from the Film Festival circuit around the world for their documentary film “Low and Clear” – click here to trailer on website.   And if you’d like to buy a copy of the film via Amazon, click here.

Kahlil was also the cinematographer for a feature film “Kumare” – a documentary by a friend who became a self-proclaimed guru.  A must-see, very interesting film.  You can rent it on Netflix or you can buy it for $2.99 on Amazon by clicking here.

With his wife, Mikiko Ellis, who was born and bred in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, they have a six-year old daughter, Violet, who is one of the best grand-daughters in the world! — They presently live in Denver, Colorado.

Happy Birthday, Kahlil – let’s see what you continue to be and do in the next 37+ years!

 

Living A Rich Life

Louis and Lily enjoy the high chair cut short – this high chair is one of two that the father of my children and I made back in 1977.   I still have the first one made for our son, Kahlil Hudson; i now use it for my grandchildren – and then a surprise happened;  during a baby shower this past Summer 2013, out came this high chair which was bought at an art auction by some friends of the owners, Tom and Sue Custer in Juneau, Alaska for their daughter also born in 1977.  I had totally forgotten we had made this other high chair – there are two in the world basically built the same though with different design painted on the chair back!

I have always said and known that I am one of the wealthiest women I know.  I’ve lived a rich life; I continue to live a rich life.   I didn’t know how rich it would be when I started out with all kinds of dreams at a young age; though now I am old enough to look back upon 57 years of richness.

In a recent conversation with my life-long friend, Margie, we were talking about where we are at now in our lives.  She made a statement about me that I didn’t know anyone else had the same observation; she said:  “…you live a very full, diverse and rich life…”

I have lived a rich life, though this type of richness has it’s cons.  It has not been easy raising three children and a husband on art income.  NOT EASY!!!!   The struggle of never knowing where your next job is coming from and when, how much money you need to make in order to pay your basic bills, and knowing your worth and how much to charge for your work are really BIG things to deal with on a daily basis.

As a self-employed artist, you NEVER leave your work at the office.  Somewhere along the line of being self-employed you realize YOU ARE THE OFFICE!!!

Do not get me wrong, yes, it’s been a very wonderfully rich life, though we pay a price!

I wouldn’t trade places with any other woman I’ve ever met or known.  I appreciate the life I’ve been given and have co-created.  I would not give it up for the world.  Here are a few things I’ve done as a self-employed artist/designer/business woman:

1981-1993 I was a landscape gardener working seasonally April 1st through October 31st – although I did a variety of people’s homes in the Juneau area, my main showcase was Sealaska Corporation plaza downtown.

1977 to present day – self-employed artist in Northwest coast design beginning with carvings under guidance with Peter Bibb in 1972; then silkscreened prints and cards, T-shirts, etc.  Then learning Chilkat weaving in 1985 with jennie Thlunaut.  Began paintings and collages in 2000 with Cecil Touchon.  A student in basketry with Selina Peratrovich and Jennie.  I’ve been teaching weaving since 1989 which has led me to all kinds of communities in Alaska, British Columbia and Yukon Territory.  Took up glass-blowing with Preston Singletary.  Worked with Dave Hunsaker’s and Tim Wilson’s NaaKahidi Theatre 1986-1993 as a set designer, costume and props designer, actress, musician, storyteller, tour and stage manager on stages locally, nationally and internationally.

I’ve done a lot.  If you have kept up with my blog, you have read a little bit of what I’ve done since I began my blog in July 2010.  that’s only 3.5 years worth of stuff I’ve posted (not to mention the stuff I don’t post).

A mentor once said:  “….you can take your art and do what you will…you can be a designer and be rich (with money), or you can be an artist and live a rich life…”

I’ve been an artist with a rich life.  Though now I want to ALSO be a designer and be rich with money.  I know I can have both.  It’s a matter of the know-how to make it happen.

Stay tuned.  I’ll let you know if I succeed.

 

“A Weaver’s Tale” — A Poem by Carver Wayne Price

Jennie Thlunaut’s hands weaving closing up the black braids to the eye – May 1986

As we weave the fabric of our lives, working hard through all the days

Mixing colors into twine, cedar too for warp that’s mine

Our hands do hurt but I won’t complain; my students here I’m going to train

To be a weaver of the robe, that people know over all the globe

Our work we do for time will stand, side by side from my ancestor’s land

Their hands I see when I close my eyes; heads of grey, hands wrinkled and wise

Their training I feel all through these days, now I pass it on in so many ways

What I teach I hope and pray, they will learn and weave will stay

Long past my last earth day

My Grandchildren’s Grandchildren I hope will say

This robe I weave is from my land, taught to me by someone Grand

Our story goes on and we prevail; I’m here to tell you a weaver’s tale.

Written by Wayne Price in honor of our weaving tour visit in Haines, Alaska three weeks prior and in memory of our weaving mentor, the late Jennie Thlunaut – written 18 August 2013

Wayne Price wears the “Diving Whale Lovebirds” Chilkat robe recently woven by Clarissa Rizal – June 2013 – weavers Cherish Clarke, Sherri Atlin, and Georgianna Low are standing behind Clarissa and Wayne at the Adaka Festival photo shoot – photo by Ken Kaunshansky