Nov 11, 2011 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Class Act, Honoring Others, Latest Art Projects, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, To Market To Market |
nDigiDreams videography class - Institute of American Indian Arts - Santa Fe, NM September 2011
Spearheaded by Jennifer Coots, Business Program Professor, the Institute of American Indian Arts Indigenous Studies Department sponsored a class, for those of us interested in being introduced to creating 5-minute videos. Each of us told a personal story related to our cross-cultural upbringing and experiences leading to how we were led to attend The Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe.
Our teachers were Carmen and Brenda from nDigiDreams. nDigiDreams conducts community-based digital storytelling training workshops. “We believe our diverse cultures, identities, histories and stories hold enormous strength and beauty and we seek to train and empower indigenous individuals and communities with new media tools to realize optimal health and wellness.” Carmen and Brenda have conducted workshops in Indian Country; think about hosting a workshop in your community. You may check out their website (and view other storytelling videos) at: http://www.ndigidreams.com/
Brenda Manuelito, Jennifer Coots (IAIA Business Professor) and Carmen Rodriquez
You may view my very first video entitled “Generations of Love Made Visible” along with some of the students’ videos on U-tube. Cut and past this link onto your browser: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBF1FA84C49C930F7
Thank you very much for visiting!
Oct 29, 2011 | Honoring Others, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
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
Sep 24, 2011 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Latest Art Projects, North Tide, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, To Market To Market |
"Raven Knows Its Light" multi-media collage with faux pas painted frame - Clarissa Rizal
It’s hard to believe I actually got enough material together for a half-way decent show of some of my contemporary paintings and collages! The show opened on Thursday, September 1, 2011 at the Stonington Gallery in Seattle, Washington. My works were in good company with a couple of other friends of mine, Chloe French and Preston Singletary. Yes, all the works are for sale via the Stonington.
Stonington Gallery show opening - September 1, 2011
"Totem Theories Revisited" acrylic painting on canvas by Clarissa Rizal
Stonington Gallery show opening September 1, 2011
Tlingit World Series #092 - Clarissa Rizal - 2011
The above collage is a series based on the original painting “Ravens Prepare for Next Ice Age.”
"Jennie Weaves An Apprentice" Chilkat pattern board (for the Chilkat robe of the same name) - acrylic painting on canvas - Clarissa Rizal
If you are in the Seattle area, check out the show or…
Read about the opening show article in the Seattle Times – Friday, September 23, 2011: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/thearts/2016289325_ar23tlingit.html?syndication=rss
Aug 26, 2011 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, North Tide, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Buyers at Clarissa Rizal's booth during Indian Market 2011
Sealaska Heritage Institute worked with the Santa Fe Indian Market sponsor Southwest Association of Indian Art (SWAIA), to create the Southeast Alaska venue of artists and performers located at the St. Francis Cathedral Park across the street from the Institute of American Indian Arts Museum in downtown Santa Fe.
An Alaskan presence of Tlingit, Haida and Tsimpshian artists at the Santa Fe Indian Market included Nicholas Galanin, Beckie Etukeok, Celeste Worl, Louise Kandinger, Donald Gregory, Holly Churchill and Clarissa Rizal
Clarissa's booth at the Santa Fe Indian Market 2011
Crystal Worl, Beckie Etukeok and Clarissa putting the ends up in the back of the Chilkat robe at the Santa Fe Indian Market
Alaskan Tlingit storyteller, Ishmael Hope on stage at the Santa Fe Indian Market
Featured Alaskan dancers at the Santa Fe Indian Market were the Mt. St. Elias Dancers from Yakutat
Watch the Mt. St. Elias Dancers – Santa Fe Indian Market 2011 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDKzpn5Hr04> 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDKzpn5Hr04
Aug 25, 2011 | Honoring Others, Latest Art Projects, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, To Market To Market |
During the Santa Fe Indian Market Sealaska stage, Likoodzi modelled the 4-piece Ravenstail ensemble "Copper Child" (a collaboration of mother and daughter Lily Hope and Clarissa Rizal) and Crystal Rogers modelled "Jennie Weaves An Apprentice" Chilkat robe (hot off the loom) handwoven by Clarissa Rizal
Likoodzi and Crystal smile at a full audience at the Santa Fe Indian Market - August 20-21 - The beaded deerskin dress and hi-top moccasins were made 30 years ago by Kate Waters Boyan for our mother Irene Lampe
Watch the Fashion Show of Northwest Coast Tlingit regalia at Sante Fe Indian Market August 2011 – video courtesy of Lee Cooper
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVrc0iXy9EE>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVrc0iXy9EE
The Chilkat robe pattern board designed by Clarissa Rizal painted on canvas applied to wooden frame - Photo by Lee Cooper
Crystal Worl and Beckie Etukeok assist in putting up the ends in the back of the robe
Close-up of the braid ends in the back of the robe
Crystal Worl and Clarissa put up the ends in the back - photo by Lee Cooper
Clarissa's booth at the Santa Fe Indian Market 2011
St. Frances Cathedral Park the morning after Indian Market - photo by Lee Cooper
Here are three more videos taken by Lee Cooper at the Santa Fe Indian Market 2011:
“Jeanie Weaves an Apprentice” Chilkat robe being taken down from the loom (before completion of putting up the ends in the back) for the Sealaska Heritage Institute’s fashion show of Tlingit regalia 1 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RW6-CPYYIY>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RW6-CPYYIY
Fashion Show of Northwest Coast Tlingit regalia at Sante Fe Indian Market August 2011 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVrc0iXy9EE>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVrc0iXy9EE
The beginning of the flash flood as the completed Chilkat robe is removed from the loom. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuZT4LOU5bc>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuZT4LOU5bc
Aug 12, 2011 | Honoring Others, Latest Art Projects, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Clarissa with one of her first Chilkat weaving apprentices, Louise Dangeli, Nisga'a from Kinkolith on the Nass River, British Columbia - Clarissa's Chilkat robe in the stateroom on board the ferry heading to Bellingham, Washington with a stopover in Ketchikan where Louise will be disembarking to attend her grandson, Michael Dangeli's wedding in Metlakatla - August 2011
Aug 3, 2011 | Class Act, Honoring Others, North Tide, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Instructor Debra Carlick demonstrates her cedar bark tricks-of-the-trade to fellow cedar bark instructor Lily Hope as Dan Shorty and Jane Smarch pay close attention
Debra Carlick and Lily Hope taught a cedar bark weaving class held during Teslin’s “Celebration 2011” in Teslin, Yukon Territory, July 25-30, 2011. The class began with 4 students; by the end of the week, there were 15 students!
The weaving classes were held in the Boat House on the shores of Teslin Lake at the Teslin Cultural Center
A nice shot of the weavers' room with an antique wooden boat in the Boat House
A view from the center of the Boat House looking out towards Teslin Lake
Yeah for the gift of cedar and all those willing to keep up with the traditions!
Splitting the bark
Separate bags of soaked cedar helped identify students' prepared materials
While weaving cedar bark, we must keep our materials damp and supple for ease of workability
The youthful generation joined the class
Rhonda demonstrates while enthusiastic visitors and classmate Dan look on
Cedar bark instructor Debra Carlick with new student Teslin elder Jane Smarch
Many visitors and enthusiasts of cedar bark weaving!
Tlingit dancers from Juneau, Alaska visit the class too
The serene excitement of completing his hat!
Her completed cedar headband trimmed out with mother-of-pearl and abalone buttons
Charlene Baker's composition of the "Completion Song" sung each time a student completed their Ravenstail or cedar bark weaving
Dan Shorty sports his cedar bark headband (made in this class) with weaving instructors Lily Hope and Clarissa Rizal sporting their hand-sewn Ainu headbands
Chilkat and Ravenstail weaver Amber Baker is on her way to completing her cedar bark hat
Aug 1, 2011 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Class Act, North Tide, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Charlene concentrates on beginning the next row - her very first Ravenstail weaving!
While researching the old Chilkat robes in the museums around the Northern Hemisphere, artist/weaver/author Cheryl Samuel also came across the Ravenstail style of weaving. Her first Ravenstail weaving class was held at the Totem Center in Ketchikan, Alaska in November 1989; I attended that first class. Since then, whenever anyone asked me about learning Ravenstail weaving, I’d recommend Cheryl. However, 22 years later, I conducted my very first official Ravenstail weaving class in Teslin, Yukon Territory (Canada) during the week of their cultural “Celebration 2011” July 25 – 30, 2011.
During Teslin's "Celebration 2011" the class had many visitors checking out the weavers' tedious and wonderful work - We wove a small Ravenstail pouch in 3 days
Charlene demonstrates creating the corners to her classmates
Dan Shorty and Charlene Baker with their completed Ravenstail weavings - (I apologize for not having a shot of the entire class with their completed weavings!)
Ainu elder inspects Rose's recently-completed Ravenstail pouch with Wayne and Debra Carlick
During the class, a group of Ainu visitors from Japan were guest performers at Teslin’s Celebration. Although we there was a language barrier, we used lots of gestures and facial expressions to communicate the similarities of our spinning and weaving techniques.
The Ainu spin their warp exactly like ours with two strands of fiber with the exception that they spin in mid-air using their thumbs and we spin our warp on our thigh
Ainu performers from Japan with Cedar bark weaving instructors Debra Carlick (Atlin, B.C.) and Lily Hope (Juneau, AK) and Ravenstail instructor Clarissa Rizal
Jul 24, 2011 | Latest Art Projects, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
One of my latest mixed media collages; part of my ongoing series entitled "Tlingit World Series #90" - Clarissa Rizal 2011
Jul 18, 2011 | Honoring Others, Latest Art Projects, Relationship Overdrive, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Clarissa Rizal weaving the tail end of the design field of "Jennie Weaves An Apprentice" Chilkat dance blanket robe - July 2011
After 4+ years, this robe is scheduled to come off the loom on Friday, July 29th at Teslin’s Celebration 2011. I am hoping to have this robe danced then…we’ll see! This is my first of a series of robes I have designed of a Chilkat robe within a Chilkat robe. To distinguish the difference of the two, notice the blue being used in the smaller robe and the green used in the main body of the robe.
Why has it taken me 4+ years to complete this robe? That very long story, along with the design description of this robe, I will tell when I complete the robe, make another move and settle down for a little while; I will include photographs of the various “landmarks”; stay tuned on that one.
