May 15, 2013 | Honoring Others, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
5 Tlingits each received a Rasmuson artist award including (L to R): Ricky Tagaban, Nahaan, Teri Rofkar, Clarissa Rizal and Norman Jackson
Today, 36 Alaskan artists received a Rasmuson Foundation award; check out the award ceremony at: http://new.livestream.com/rasmusonfoundation/iaa2013
I will be using the funds to help support me while I do several projects this year all having to do with Chilkat weaving, including the following: teaching an introductory Chilkat weaving workshop and spearheading the Indigenous Weavers’ Gathering and my art exhibit all at the Kwaanlin Dun Cultural Center in Whitehorse, Yukon; teaching apprenticeship in artist-in-residence in Haines, Alaska; helping weavers in Juneau, Alaska to begin weaving a Chilkat or Ravenstail robe in time for Celebration 2014; begin weaving my “Resilience” Chilkat robe, begin weaving my child-size Chilkat robe; and making the Chilkat weaving tour of Southeast Alaska and British Columbia down to Seattle, Washington this coming Fall.
The monetary support from this Rasmuson grant is invaluable for a (more than) full-time artist like myself. I have come to admit, my entire life is about creating art. And any and all monetary support is such a plus! Thank you, Rasmuson!
Mar 29, 2013 | Honoring Others, Relationship Overdrive, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Clarissa and Ann Smith enjoy one anothers’ company at the Grand Opening of the Kwaanlin Dun Cultural Center during the annual Adaka Festival, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory – 2012
Whenever I begin weaving a Chilkat robe, I give thanks to Ann Smith, Kwaanlin Dun Wolf Clan from Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. I am remembering a life-turning conversation and experience I had with her. While it is true Jennie Thlunaut taught me how to weave Chilkat, and I will forever be thankful for the gift Jennie entrusted to me; it was Ann who inspired me to weave Chilkat robes.
In 1992, during a month-long Chilkat Weavers’ Gathering hosted by Darlene See, Ann was beginning the weaving of her first robe; she had the top 6 inches or so of the border completed. I hadn’t woven a Chilkat robe yet. At the time, I had no desire to weave Chilkat robes; I imagined myself on the path of weaving smaller pieces that accentuated modern-day clothing – yokes, cuffs, collars, lapels, etc.
I asked Ann why she wanted to weave robes at a time when it seemed like people didn’t appreciate them, much less even know how much time and dedication this type of weaving takes. She replied calmly and quietly “…Clarissa…it’s like this…we have to re-educate our people of not just the design and technique of weaving,…we have to educate them of the value…we have lost our knowledge of this art form and we have to gain back so much more than just that…” I added with a big sigh: “…well, Ann, that is a big task for us to tackle, don’t you think…?” To which she replied: “…well, that’s a choice we make. We are at a place in our lives where we can make that difference. What better choice to make than to be of service to our people who need this kind of strength in our lives…”
I asked her about working on a weaving that takes at least a year to make; like why would anyone want to work on something that took so long to make? Ann added: “…it’s the spirit of the thing…it’s the feeling that comes over me as I weave…it’s like this time-less connection of time immemorial that is happening at the same time…it feels as though all my relations are here with me, as though every Chilkat weaver that ever lived is standing behind me as I weave, watching, guiding and supporting me…” Ann motioned for me to sit down and weave on her robe. (Now that I have woven several Chilkat and Ravenstail robes, when a weaver invites you to weave on her robe, THAT is an honor!) I wove a few stitches on the border of her robe, maybe a total of 10 inches…when suddenly, I felt a power come over me, I felt a presence of many but I could not place my finger on it…I experienced the essence of what Ann spoke of!
Ann apprenticed with me in Chilkat weaving from 1992 to 1996. She is one of the most finest weavers I’ve ever known. Her finery too is woven in the manner in which she lives her life and guides her family and people. Over the years, I have sought her counsel in matters of relationships, art and business. She lead me to weave Chilkat robes; it changed my life in many more ways than one. Gunalcheesh, Ann!
Mar 22, 2013 | Honoring Others, Relationship Overdrive, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, Tools-of-the-Trade |
Clarissa instructs Frances Joe and Marge Jackson during Clarissa’s 2nd Chilkat weaving class held in August 1990, Klukshu, Yukon Territory, Canada
Jennie Thlunaut taught me several Chilkat “laws” or guidelines for weavers and weavings. This day in age we would call them “taboos” since most of us modern folk do not (or will not) honor the laws of old – most modern folk think that following the “old ways of thinking and doing” no longer applies to us today. Some of us folks say that they want to follow the ways of our people, yet when it comes right down to applying those old teachings, or when it comes to honoring the elders and their guidelines, we choose to ignore.
You as a weaver, can decide for yourself which laws may apply to you.
The following list are some of the “rules of weaving.” Jennie was quite adamant about these certain things and I learned to honor them – they include:
1). no human hands – although you can weave three fingers and a thumb, you WILL NOT weave four fingers and a thumb!
2). Pray each morning before you weave – prayer is to always give thanks for the gift of weaving that you’ve been given, that you have your health and that you have lots of love in your family and friends,…prayer of giving thanks for everything you’ve been given, everything that you have, everything that has come to you.
An East Indian woven cloth to cover a Chilkat loom – a good protector from dirt and negative energies…!
3). Cover your work each time you are not working on it; always cover it before you retire for the night.
Complete the closure of any eye or circle before retiring for the day
4). When weaving a circle or an eye, always allow for enough time to complete weaving them before going to bed; so if you start an eye or a circle in the morning, and then you have other things to do during the day, you must make time to complete the weaving of the circle or eye, close it up, before you go to sleep that night – never leave it open during the time that you sleep.
5). Do not teach (“straight”) men – if you teach “gay” men, then make sure their character is in harmony with the Chilkat spirit.
6). Not to get big-headed about being a weaver; no room for being egotistical – keep your ego in check – especially when you are challenged by another
7). Go to your loom with clean heart, clean mind, clean body – do not weave when you are in a negative mood. That kind of energy goes into the robe and this is not good because the robe will carry that energy and may be transferred to the person who is dancing in the robe.
8). Do not show your weaving to the person who is buying (or may be buying) your weaving before it is completed.
Chilkat weaving is a strong spirit. Jennie tried hard to explain these things to me. I was young then, however, in my experiences as an active weaver, I have come to know many things of the unseen, and I see why the Chilkat laws of weaving apply today even as they did 100 years ago…the ways of the physical reality may change, the ways in how we live may change, yet the ways of spirit do not. I have experienced that when you apply these teachings, any or all, no matter what goes on in your life, positive and negative, there resides a strong, steady “rudder” serving as a guide of the straight and narrow path – and you will recognize all the good things that have been placed in your path – kind of like a path of righteousness.
Would these “laws” apply to Ravenstail weaving? I do not know, however, it wouldn’t hurt to apply these things to your every-day lives! What have you got to lose?
Mar 20, 2013 | Honoring Others, Ravens & Eagles, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, Tools-of-the-Trade |
Close up of “Jennie Weaves An Apprentice” Chilkat robe by Clarissa Rizal completed 2011 – It is part of a series of Chilkat robe designs by Clarissa featuring a Chilkat robe within a Chilkat robe – the green and blue is to delineate between apprentice and teacher, the past and present, the present and future, Raven and Eagle clans
Jennie Thlunaut taught me several Chilkat “laws” or guidelines for weavers and weavings. This day in age we would call them “taboos” since most of us modern folk do not (or will not) honor the laws of old – most modern folk think that following the “old ways of thinking and doing” no longer applies to us today. Some of us folks say that they want to follow the ways of our people, yet when it comes right down to applying those old teachings, or when it comes to honoring the elders and their guidelines, we choose to ignore.
Chilkat weaving has a strong spirit. Jennie tried hard to explain these things to me. I was young then. I am young still, however, in my experiences as an active weaver, I have come to know many things of the unseen, and I see why the Chilkat laws of weaving apply today even as they did 100 years ago…the ways of the physical reality may change, the ways in how we live may change, yet the ways of spirit do not. I have experienced that when you apply these teachings, any or all, no matter what goes on in your life, positive and negative, there resides a strong, steady “rudder” serving as a guide of the straight and narrow path – and you will recognize all the good things that have been placed in your path – kind of like a path of righteousness.
In the next blog entries towards the end of March into April, I will list some of the Chilkat weaving laws, for both the weaving and the weavers. You as a weaver, can decide for yourself which laws may apply to you.
Thank you for staying tuned.
Feb 27, 2013 | Acting Out and Musical Chairs, Honoring Others, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Clarissa and her ukelele – which, by the way, was purchased at Hawaii Music Supply…
Who woulda thought I’d be playing Tlingit songs with the sounds of a ukelele? Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later…!
I learned this song in 1972 from Harry K. Bremner, Sr., who then was in his mid-80’s. He said I had the rights to sing this song because our clan, the T’akDein Taan Black-legged Kittywake had branched down from the Coho Clan on the Alsek River near Yakutat – the Coho who are the owners of this song.
Here I sing with the ukelele accompanying just a shortened version.
YakutatBackStage
The following is a shortened version of a T’akDeinTaan song written by J.K. Smith; my sister Irene Jean Lampe discovered this song on an old recording of clan elders. I play a shortened version (without any of the words):
J.K.SmithSong
My very first song I wrote called “Shifting Shanks” – It’s influenced by “spaghetti western” sound, like a combination of “cowboys and indians” – the song is about not being aware of our Western privileges; we have so many freedoms many other countries do not have…we are born with “silver suspenders…”
ShiftingShanks
Feb 2, 2013 | Honoring Others, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Clarence Jackson (photo courtesy Sealaska Heritage Institute)
If she knew when and where he was speaking
our mother would tell us she wanted to go see him
with her childish laugh and Raven eyes twinkling
we knew he must have been a special, special man
so we had to see for ourselves who he was
and while we sat amongst many others listening to his stories
we all received his gift of simple humor
and his Killerwhale lightening flash of smile
wet with the rainforest glowing in his full moon face
reflecting bright with light
our mother and we walked home with his smile
in our hearts.
Jan 7, 2013 | Honoring Others, Latest Art Projects, Ravens & Eagles, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, Tools-of-the-Trade |
After drafting the pattern in pencil, then I outline with a black Sharpie marker
Have you noticed that even though I may be weaving on a Chilkat robe for a year or two, I do not ever show the process of me weaving on this blog until AFTER the robe is completed? The reason is because I was taught by my teacher Jennie Thlunaut that whenever Chilkat weavers are weaving a robe (as opposed to an apron, headdress, leggings, etc.), that we are not to publicly show the robe to the person(s) who has commissioned the robe. Another Tlingit taboo? I don’t know. While I was weaving with Jennie, I gave up asking her the question “Why” every time she told me certain Chilkat “guidelines.” I remembered that the elderly folk of that time period and before did not explain the “why” of things – you just did what you were told, and that was that.
Using the Sharpie marker, I fill in the form line. I used elements from a couple of robes. This is a Diving Whale with an Eagle in the right side of the body and a Raven in the left side. – The far right design elements are called the “filler.”
I apologize that I cannot show you the process of weaving this robe. My goal is to finish by May 1st this year; then I will post a sequence of photographs.
Jan 3, 2013 | Honoring Others, Relationship Overdrive |
I introduce and wish to thank my friend Cecilia Arnold, who has worked for and with me for almost 20 years in a variety of fields from gardening, to house-cleaning, to art and administrative assistance. In her former life before moving to Colorado, she was an art professor at Penland School of Arts and Crafts in North Carolina. We ran into one another the day after New Year’s at my favorite western store of all time, Goodman’s. – Hey, Notice the cell phone cover!
Since the birth of my first child 36 years ago this month, I have often said “a woman needs a wife!” It wasn’t until 1994 when I moved into my Colorado home that I took my own “medicine.” When I have been able to afford it, I have hired my friend Cecilia who has been an invaluable asset to me as an artist, mother, gardener, home-maker and business woman. Cecilia has been nearly a “wife” – like a kind of “mid-wife” per se in that she has helped “born” many a project, many a plant and many a clean home! Ladies, I suggest you obtain a “wife” especially when you’ve got a lot going on – she’s the ultimate stress-reliever!
Nov 9, 2012 | Honoring Others, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Sue and Israel Shotridge at work in the studio…
I am inserting this image in my blog of these two artists because I really like these people and I want to introduce you to them: Israel is working on a pendant design and Sue is pouncing a pattern. They are multi-talented, multi-faceted folks who I’d applause 8 days a week! They are the owners of Raven’s Nest Gallery in Vashon, Washington State. You may visit their website at www.shotridgestudios.com — Thank you to Sue who produced, coordinated and hosted my very first button blanket-making class!
Nov 6, 2012 | Honoring Others, Latest Art Projects, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
In honor of my cousin, the late Pat Mills from Hoonah, Alaska, for the upcoming koo.eex (pay-off party), I drew an ink & acrylic sketch of Pat, as if dancing in a Chilkat robe that could have been his – the robe includes his infamous “FV Mary JoAnne” sailing along with salmon and halibut
With my friend Cecil’s assistance, we printed 88 copies of the “Mary Joanne Chilkat Robe” as gifts for Pat’s koo.eex coming up on November 17 in Hoonah, Alaska. Why print an edition of 88? Simply because that’s all the paper I had. This printer is the Epson 7880 24″ model. I’ve had it for about 4 years, however, I find it difficult to make time to print all that I want to print. There is only so much time in 8 days a week!
