Cecil Touchon in his studio - February 2007 (photo courtesy CecilTouchon.com)

Interviewers and others have asked how and when I came into creating contemporary paintings and collages with Northwest Coast Native art imagery.  I refer them to my friend and fellow artist Cecil Touchon at www.ceciltouchon.com.   Back in ’93 Cecil and I met in his then gallery he had recently opened in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.  His daughter Brittany was drawing at the drafting table and his wife (and assistant), Rosalia was just running out the door to do an errand.  After a lengthy conversation about art, families and life as an artist, I purchased the first item sold from the gallery:  an antique wooden hat form.  That was the beginning of our life-long friendship.

After visiting me in my studio working on button blankets and a Chilkat robe, Cecil thought it would be cool if I did Northwest Coast imagery in contemporary works in paintings and collages.  I thought I’d give it a go; I spent a few days in his studio where he taught me the essence of cubism without even realizing it.  Finally, about 5 years later in 2000, I got off my duff and created a painting based on one of my button blankets called “Wrestling With Angels” and created my first 10 collages that I immediately sold at the Santa Fe Indian Market.  Since, I’ve been having fun with exploring Northwest Coast Native art in cubist-style paintings and collages.

Cecil's exhibit opening Friday, October 28 in Atlanta, Georgia

Last night Cecil had a show opening in Atlanta, Georgia.  Click the link to view his show:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/sets/72157627876660361/show/

Check out the variety of Cecil’s work and writings on his website’s blog:  http://ceciltouchon.blogspot.com