Jun 17, 2012 | Latest Art Projects, Poetry Alaskan, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, To Market To Market |
Pasting pages with matte medium onto old recycled cabinet doors
Back in March I cleaned out the attic; 18 years of accumulated family, personal, business and theatre stuff were set in the driveway. I let go of lots of stuff, however, I hung onto other things I felt I would use later. About 10 years ago, I had saved three, wooden cabinet doors from a remodel. I told myself that I would use them someday whenever I got into doing paintings for a living. Although I began painting about 10 years ago, I never really took it seriously until lately when a number of things accumulated this past year one of them being the return of my friends Cecil and Rosalia Touchon. Undoubtedly my contemporary works in paintings, collage and charcoals are influenced by Touchon. Check out their work at Cecil Touchon.com
Once all three panels were covered with pages and were given a couple coats of matte medium over the entire surface, Clarissa sketches shadows here and there to give a 3-D appearance
Rummaging through my box of collage-making papers, I came across a book of international poetry published in 1961. The pages were weathered; I liked the look – pasted them onto the gesso-ed cabinet doors which I will from now on will refer to as my “canvas.” I then pasted a cut up paper print of my Chilkat robe design pattern called “Jennie Weaves An Apprentice.” I edged each strip with a bit of golden yellow acrylic paint. I am having fun.
I order most of my acrylic paints, canvas, matte medium, brushes, etc. from Artist Supply Warehouse (ASW); as far as I know, they have good quality products at the lowest prices. If you find anything better, would you mind letting the rest of us know? Thank you!
A better view of the 3_D shading example
After a bit of shading with a soft lead drawing pencil, I stood back and liked the effect; like wow, now I am really having fun! – If I am not mistaken, this is my very first mixed-media collage on wooden cabinets done with this type of effect. If you want to see more of this effect, make sure you visit Cecil Touchon’s website. He’s an expert at this!
So far, so good, but not quite finished with this triptych
Each panel measures about 40″ high and about 20″ wide. They are available for sale as a unit at the Alaska Juneau Public Market during Thanksgiving weekend in Juneau.
Jun 16, 2012 | Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
The following is an exhibit of Northwest Coast Ravenstail weavers and the indigenous peoples of Japan, the Ainu, which opened at the Japanese Gardens in Portland Oregon in June 2009. Several of the Northwest Coast weavers included Ann Smith, John Beard, Lily Hope and myself. I didn’t know about this video until my daughter brought it to my attention today. Here’s the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzFmg87WnDc&feature=endscreen&NR=1
Jun 15, 2012 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Latest Art Projects, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Last August 2011, on the Alaska ferry heading south from Juneau to Belllingham, Washington, one of my favorite weaving students and elder, Louise Dangeli was on board. Louise is a dear member of the Nishga’a tribe along the Nass River, British Columbia, Canada. She was on her way to attend the wedding of her grandson. I invited her to my stateroom where I was finishing up my “Jenny Weaves An Apprentice” Chilkat robe; I was explaining the design meaning of the robe Here’s a video shot by one of Louise’s neices, Norene Otnes:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=211616705626297
Jun 10, 2012 | Honoring Others, Latest Art Projects, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, To Market To Market |
Working the last piece of the triptych
In 2003, (or was it 2004?), while attending Ft. Lewis College in Durango working towards my Bachelor of Fine Arts, I enrolled in a required class: Drawing I. (Now you are most likely thinking to yourself: hmmm….after 30+ years as an artist, Clarissa needs to take a drawing class?) Well…yes, because like I said, it’s a requirement towards my BFA. I learned a lot in that class and will not regret it because it introduced me to working in charcoal and I love it!
Total concentration and thorough enjoyment working in charcoal with the challenge of not getting filthy! - Notice Clarissa is wearing black...
After 8 years, I have finally returned to completing this project. My impetus was to have this triptych to show in Juneau at the Native Art Market during Celebration 2012, however, when I unwrapped it to hang in my booth, there were a few ripples in the paper – the mounting was not done correctly, either that or the change in weather (sunny and warm when I glued it down to cold and damp two weeks later when I unwrapped it!). So no one got to see this triptych; oh well!
Close up of the middle image - I refer to it affectionately as a stylized image of my son, Kahlil - the expression on his face reminds me of when he was a small child about 30 years ago
Clarissa's completed charcoal triptych
Each panel measures 11.5 inches wide by 17.5 inches tall. I recently pulled out the triptych thinking that I was going to figure out how to repair all the tiny ripples where the glue did not take – lo and behold, all three pieces were as it was when I initially wrapped them and there are no ripples whatsoever! What a relief, yet Hmmm….what happened? Can anyone tell me?
Jun 8, 2012 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Latest Art Projects, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, To Market To Market |
Embellishing a belt with antique mother-of-pearl buttons using a box as my "third hand"
During my drive from Southwest Colorado to Prince Rupert, British Columbia to catch the ferry home to Juneau, Alaska, I spent my days making belts while Dan drove. I was making these belts to sell during the Native art market hosted by Sealaska Heritage Institute at “Celebration 2012” in Juneau.
This "third hand" support was so convenient on this long road trip; it also held my glue, floss, pin cushion, scissors, leather needles, etc., and it held the next set of belts I was sewing! This cardboard box is a real keeper!
Flathead Lake, Montana
We drove through beautiful country; some I missed because I was either sleeping OR I had my head in the box sewing away!
Was I really sewing belts on a windy day on the side of the road near a glacier in Banff National Monument or was I just posing for this photo for my blog?
In Banff/Jasper National Monument
If you want to experience dramatic scenery in Banff/Jasper National Monument, go in May when the roads are generally clear, the sun is fairly warm and the snow is still on the mountains OR go in the Falltime when the colors are spectacular along with newfallen snow – check your weather report before embarking on one of the most beautiful drives in North America! I’ve done this drive twice in the past two years; awesome!
You really SHOULD BE HERE!
Jun 7, 2012 | Latest Art Projects, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, To Market To Market |
Although messy, charcoal is fun to work with. I enjoy the instant contrast from dark to light depending on pressure and the number of strokes in a given place.
You may visit the previous blog ent
Adding more charcoal to obtain higher contrast
I used a workable fixative; next time I’ll use a non-workable fixative for the final coat!
Clarissa sprays fixative on her "Argillite Totem" stapled to the studio wall outdoors
I started this charcoal back in March; you may visit the blog entry that posted the beginning of this charcoal at by clicking here.
The finished piece waits on a table for the body of the wood frame column
I waited for the frame to be built before I sprayed and applied the canvas to the column frame.
“Argillite Totem” with a mirror behind it to see a glimpse of the other side of this totemic column. – This won 2nd Place in the Contemporary arts category of the Sealaska Heritage Institute’s Juried Art Show 2012.
See a video of the awards ceremony:
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May 31, 2012 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Honoring Others, Showing Off |
Heading north to Telluride, Colorado
The first stop on my drive to Prince Rupert, B.C. to catch the ferry to Alaska, was Telluride, Colorado. We were attending the Telluride Mountain Film Festival to see my son’s film “Low and Clear.” How many of you have been to Telluride? No matter what time of year, the drive from the North, South East or West is spectacular…! We drove in from the South via Delores.
Pulling into Telluride
There are two film festivals in Telluride: the Telluride Film Festival and the Telluride Mountain Film Fest. We attended the latter.
Standing room only at the Telluride Mountain Film festival
Kahlil and Tyler’s film “Low and Clear” is a documentary about the relationship between two passionate fishermen. The story is touching, naturally funny in parts, and the cinematography is astounding (and I’m not saying that because my son is an excellent photographer!). See the “Low and Clear” trailer at Kahlil’s website; click here.
Tyler Hughen and Kahlil Hudson answer audience questions; Kahlil portrays slight traits of his Tlingit background - he is almost what the Lower 48ers call "long-winded"...we call it being a natural-born storyteller...
Group shot in front of Telluride's library -Dan Shanks, Clarissa, Tyler's father Ed and wife Sarah, Tyler Hughen, Kahlil Hudson and wife Mikiko Ellis
Walking Telluride is like walking the remnants of once was almost a ghost mining town to an upper-class model of a Universal Pictures set - everything has not only been refurbished, but it is alive with the bustling of people, cars, products and lights...
May 20, 2012 | Honoring Others, Latest Art Projects, Ravens & Eagles, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, To Market To Market |
Clarissa lays out buttons onto recent "Eagle Raven Lovebirds" button robe designed by Preston Singletary, robe fabric choice and fabrication by Clarissa Rizal
Preston and I have finally collaborated on an actual art piece. We have worked together for a few years creating the Northwest Coast Native Artist Gatherings, and we’ve been working for the past who knows how many years towards creating a large glass Chilkat robe – maybe this robe is the impetus for actually making the glass robe come into reality real soon!
Lily assists in laying out the buttons while son, Louis checks out his mother's carefulness
Lily and Louis Hope helped do the button layout; it’s nice to have a family affair especially with cool kids!
Lily begins to glue down hundreds of buttons
Another version of Lily working on the robe while Louis naps in the Ergo baby carrier
completed button robe
The completed robe waiting to be packed up for the Native Art Market at Celebration 2012 in Juneau sponsored by the Sealaska Heritage Institute
May 16, 2012 | Latest Art Projects, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
painted Chilkat jacket made with acrylic paints on woven upholstery fabric, black wool accents in cuffs and collar, closure with abalone buttons
Okay all you weavers out there; I challenge you to weave a jacket like this! Chook!
May 10, 2012 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Latest Art Projects, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
On her front porch, Clarissa sands a smooth finish to prepare for first coats of acrylic paint
I came across these old photos of a fiberglass horse that was a part of the “Trail of Painted Ponies” exhibit back in the Summer of 2003 (or was it 2004?) held in Santa Fe, New Mexico. There was a coffee table publication of all 50 horses supposedly representing the 50 states. I had the honor of representing Alaska.
After several coats of solid golden paint, Clarissa paints the Tlingit formline of a dragon on the chest of the horse
Face of the Tlingit Robed Horse
Portrait at night out back before thunder showers
Clarissa with Robed Horse
Along with all the other 49 horses, this one was auctioned off; the owners live in Texas. I do not know how much it sold for; all the proceeds went towards the Horse Project.
