Jun 30, 2012 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, North Tide, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Alaskan Tlingit carver Wayne Price (red shirt) leads the carving of a red cedar totem pole to commemorate the survivors of the missionary schools in Yukon Territory
I video taped various performances including the DahkaKwaan Danders, the canoe ceremony, and an interview with Wayne Price and the totem pole, however, for some reason just my still photos transferred but none of my videos would transfer to my computer. Alas, I was terribly disappointed. But, I have a few photo images here to console me; at least I have these!
The Kwanlin Dun Cultural Center entrance, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory
Out back of the cultural center, a wooden platform graces the banks of the mighty headwaters of the Yukon River
Directly behind the cultural center there's a large firepit circled by concrete seating stepping down to the wooden platform on the Yukon
Chilkat & Ravenstail weaver, Ann Smith stands in front of the painting created by her youngest son, Justin Smith
Ravenstail & Chilkat weaver Charlene Baker demonstrates Chilkat on her portable loom
Approximately 40 artists mainly from Yukon Territory displayed and demonstrated their work during the Artist Market
Tents were erected just in case of rain - there were food booths, demonstrating artists, workshops, etc.
Men in Cool Hats: Copper smith Brian Smith and silversmith/silkscreen artist Alano Edzerza
Artists taking a break - L to R: Brien Smith, William Callahan, Sean Smith, Dustin Johnson, Alano Edzerza, Crystal Rogers, Ann Smith and her grandson, Tyrone
Ann and Brien Smith stand next to their artwork displayed in the cultural center's new gallery space
Cherri & Wayne Price and Ann & Brien Smith stand before an historical display "back to the river" which was the theme of this year's Adarka Festival - the display shows Ann's "Grandmother's Time" Ravenstail robe, her mother drying fish, and her son Justin in the newly-carved red cedar canoe
The New Taku Dancers from Atlin, British Columbia
Button robes of the New Taku Dancers
Wolf Clan member and Chilkat/Ravenstail weaver Debra Carlick - she adorns the carved wolf hat created by her husband Wayne Carlick
Leader of the New Taku Dancers Wayne Carlick is adorned by a Chilkat headdress woven by his wife Debra Michel Carlick
With all the money our Native corporations have generated since 1971 (over 40 years), I am reminded that Juneau does not have a cultural center. Sure we have the ANB Hall, sure we have the Sealaska, Goldbelt, and Huna Totem corporate offices, sure we have the T&HCC offices, sure we have the T&HCC community center at Salmon Creek, however none of these come close to the cultural center organized by a grassroots group of local indigenous peoples in the Whitehorse area, whom 20 years later have a place that is specifically theirs on the homeland’s river bank.
Goes to show you that money does not necessarily do all the talking…takes a group of those who walk their talk, that are earnest, diligent, committed individuals with a strong vision to address and create a modern place to educate and perpetuate the modern culture of the indigenous people – it allows the rest of the world that we still exist and are alive and well!
Jun 29, 2012 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Honoring Others, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Side front of the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Center in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory
According to my friend and weaving colleague Ann Smith, Wolf Clan Kwanlin Dun 1st Nations, Whitehorse, Yukon, 20+ years the new cultural center was in the making; it finally had its grand opening on Thursday, June 21st. It’s a beautiful building located right on the Yukon River in downtown Whitehorse. The grand opening ceremonies was the kick-off for the annual indigenous celebration of Yukon’s Adaka Festival.
The newly-formed Kwanlin Dun Dancers first dance performance
When Crystal called last week and invited me to come with her to Whitehorse, neither of us had any idea about the Adaka Festival – we thought there was a big celebration for the grand opening of the new cultural center; little did we know that it is a BIG celebration! We were scheduled to return to Juneau after two full days at Adarka; both of us had other commitments to attend to in Juneau. As much as we wanted to stay the entire 10-day festival, we had to leave. However, we took full advantage of all the activities that were provided. We are already planning on returning to Whitehorse next year!
One of two leaders/teachers, Sean Smith introduces the Kwanlin Dun Dancers
Grandmother Ann Smith is the leading elder for the Kwanlin Dun Dancers
Traditional and contemporary indigenous performers graced the new stage at the cultural center. Below are a few of the local Yukon performers. I had taken photographs of other performances, but they were not in good focus – (eyesight is getting a bit off…?)
The Raven Courtship Dance
Kevin Barr duet
The Bethel Dancers
Jerry Alfred
Jun 26, 2012 | Latest Art Projects, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, To Market To Market |
While her son Louis is on her back, Lily Hope washes down the whale's tail in the parking lot of the Juneau Arts and Culture Center - Juneau, Alaska
The Juneau Arts and Humanities is sponsoring a project to help bring awareness to the support of a large bronze whale’s tail to be created by local artist Skip Wallen. 10 polyuerothane foam resin whale tails are being embellished by 10 selected local artists. Lily Hope submitted a proposal; we were selected as one of the 10. We were going to create a modern Tlingit-influenced stylized form line design painting, however, that would require at least three days of sunshine, and by this Summer’s lousy weather pattern we’ve been experiencing in Juneau, we decided to create something a bit simpler yet elegant.
Lily begins spraying the toxic, smelly black spray paint
Each whale tail is being sponsored by a local business – Thank you to Huna Totem Corporation for sponsoring ours!
Lily completes the black; Clarissa begins to spray touches of red
All 10 whale tails must be completed by July 1st; 3 will be in Juneau’s Fourth of July parade. In September, the whale tails will be auctioned.
Modeling for a pretend magazine article - haha!
We had to wait for a couple of hours for the paint to be completely dry before attempting to move it and begin gluing buttons.
Lily begins gluing smokey-gray mother-of-pearl buttons
Lily finishes gluing the buttons, then each is nailed down to survive any weather
Louis helps nail down the buttons too!
Please tell your friends, neighbors and co-workers about the big auction on Saturday, September 15th at the JACC (Juneau Arts & Culture Center, i.e. the Old Armory), where all the wonderful creations will be auctioned off to the highest bidder!
Do we look proud of ourselves or what?
Thanks to all who are volunteering and participating in the Animal Parade and supporting this Whale Project, which will place a spectacular life-scale bronze humpback whale and fountain on Juneau’s waterfront, in recognition of Alaska’s 50th anniversary of Statehood. This will be an icon for Juneau, and the third sculpture of Skip Wallen in Juneau.
Many thanks to Kathy Ruddy for coordinating this event; thanks again to Huna Totem Corporation for sponsoring our particular whale tail!
Jun 25, 2012 | Class Act, Latest Art Projects, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Teaching Lily all the do’s, don’ts and options in designing for a Chilkat robe
Many weavers of the Chilkat method of weaving are not designers of the imagery. They either copy a design that belongs to the clan or family, or they have an artist draft one up for them. Chilkat weaver, Lily Hope is learning how to design Chilkat; it is not as easy as it looks! A designer must understand how the weaving is done in order to design a Chilkat robe successfully. Lily has an advantage that she is both a weaver and knows how to draw!
The pattern transparency serves as the template
Lily is in the process of designing a child-size Chlkat robe with her clan image, the T’akDeinTaan. She is doing a take-off on a robe her mother designed for her Auntie Jean. She continues to reinforce her knowledge by true discipline, making the time to weave even though she runs a household and takes care of 2 children.
Clarissa and Lily calculate to which warp the next row is to be woven
Lily and Clarissa weave Chilkat together
Lily Hope rips back a few rows; no such thing as mistakes, only “learning opportunities”
Thank you to the New England Foundation for the Arts Native Arts Program for their monetary support for Clarissa’s grant to travel from Colorado to Alaska to help Lily get started in designing and beginning her own robe!
Jun 21, 2012 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Dorsal fin of a Killerwhale during the sail from Juneau to Haines, Alaska
Crystal invited me to come with her to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory to meet up with a friend of hers. I knew about the grand opening of the new Cultural Center in Whitehorse, so I took her up on her offer. I had four days to prepare for the trip with lots of deadlines to meet before leaving – it was good incentive to get the stuff done to take a much needed “working vacation” from Juneau’s consistent rainy weather of 45 degrees!
Bow of the MV Matanuska
I anticipated good weather as soon as we would come into Haines’ territory, about three hours north of Juneau. Sure enough, I could see blue skies up ahead!
Crystal Rogers weaves Ravenstail in the cafeteria of the MV Matanuska
Like many Chilkat and Ravenstail weavers of the past 30 years, Crystal Rogers packed up her loom to weave aboard the ferry. Four hours to Haines is ample time to weave a couple of inches!
deck of the MV Matanuska as we pass the lighthouse in Upper Lynn Canal
Pouring rain in Juneau, even just an hour out of Juneau the weather improves! Cloudy but not raining! whooohooo!
Crystal enjoys the cedar bark weaving talents of Heather Callahan's cape
Yukon artist Heather Callahan is a regalia-maker who was on board completing her woven cedar bark cape embellished with dentallium shells, abalone buttons, leather and Hawaiian grasses woven in as well! — you just never know who will be traveling with you on board the Alaskan ferries!
Heather models her cape trimmed with beaver fur
Davidson Glacier in the Chilkat Mountain Range
"Shanks and Rizal" (alias)peaks of the Chilkat Mountain Range
Approaching Haines, Alaska - see the tourship docked in front of Ft. Seward?
Always blue skies in Haines' wake
Crystal catches wild water
Mouth of the Chilkat Valley River
View of the Chilkat River and mountains from a house I would love to buy, or at least rent!
Driivng the highway from Haines, Alaska to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory
Brown Bear on the side of the highway
Black bear on side of highway just a half hour from the brown bear we first saw
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!
