Jun 13, 2015 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Tools-of-the-Trade |
Hand-built in 1994, patterns are being tweaked on Clarissa’s old-fashioned light table before they are copied on her Epson printer
I use my Macbook for doing layout of designs to be printed on my large format Giclee’ printer, and I know that I can scan and duplicate small patterns, but golly, gee golly, I still use my wonderful light table for tracing patterns and other images worth duplicating. There’s just something real about going through the motions of duplication on hard-copy paper in hand!
Really? People still use light tables and overhead projectors!?!? How’s that? We’ve got computers and printers to do the jobs!!!
Well, call me from the old school where teaching a new dog old tricks can only go as far as the bone can be thrown, and some of us just can’t throw that far anymore! So, sure this dog has learned new tricks like how to turn on a computer and where to push play on Netflix and “bookmark” this page to order more El Naturalista boots before they go up in price!
However, this dog still prefers to project the design on the plastic transparency placed on the overhead projector platform which projects the image onto the wall up yonder! And this dog still prefers to trace the other half of the design by hand tolerating the bright, blinding florescent lights below.
Like I said, I can only throw the new bones so far; because old bones are familiar, I will continue to dig them up and out and naw on them affectionately.
One of Clarissa’s most trusted tool, the old-fashioned over head project made by 3M Company
“Clarissa’s Studio” is a 7-part series showing the 7 areas of Clarissa’s studio where I work full-time and live part of the year in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
Over the next three months (starting this past May), I will introduce you to various parts of my humble 700 sq.ft. sanctuary divided into sections. Here are the parts of “Clarissa’s Studio Series”:
- “The Living Room” where I play music, read, crochet, knit and clear out the coffee table to do Tai Chi;
- “The Office” where I draft proposals, emails, FB, grants, letters, update my website and post blog entries;
- “The Sewing Space” where I sew button robes and clothing for the grandkids;
- “The Weaving Space” for all my Chilkat and Ravenstail weaving projects on various size looms;
- “The Grand Table Space” where I do large layouts of robe pattern designs and cut the applique for button robes;
- “The Drawing Room” where I sketch and finalize drawings for robes, paintings, collages and book illustrations;
- “The Painting/Collage-making” where I create just that, along with printing limited edition Giclee’ prints and shrinkwrapping them;
- “Clarissa’s Kitchenette” where I zap an occasional Amy’s TV dinner for lunch and I keep a modest supply of drinking water;
- “Clarissa’s Storage Units” for beautiful and practical storage of all weaving, spinning, sewing, dyeing, beadworking supplies and recent collection of books
The first two blog entries on “Clarissa’s Studio” series include:
“The Livingroom” at: http://www.clarissarizal.com/blogblog/clarissas-studio-part-1-the-living-room/
“The Kitchenette” at: http://www.clarissarizal.com/blogblog/studio-part-2-clarissas-kitchenette/
Jun 11, 2015 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, North Tide |
An image of a mountain goat done in Tlingit form line
Parked at the base of the Perseverance Trail head in Juneau, Alaska, was this red Jeep. I couldn’t help but notice the mountain goat image on the side of it’s back window. Traditional Chilkat weavers use mountain goat wool for their warp and weft yarns. Mountain goat have a special place in our hearts. This particular Jeep had a special image I just had to share, even the license plate!
Custom Alaskan license plate is just “baaaaaa dass!”
May 30, 2015 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Honoring Others, To See or Not to See, Uncategorized |
100 audience members on board the Allen Marine whale watching tour included 15 Alaskan authors and 3 illustrators, of which Clarissa was one…
I was born nearly 60 years ago in Juneau and it’s only recently twice in less than two weeks I have been invited on a whale-watching cruise; both trips were something new to me since 1) we weren’t fishing? 2) we didn’t have a port destination, and 3) it didn’t cost me a penny. And both trips were during the stretch of amazingly fine weather we had the entire month of May so it made whale watching all the more enjoyable!
Leaving the Auke Bay boat harbor on a fine early evening: 6pm. — The Mendenhall Glacier is at the base of the snowcapped mountains…
Every year in conjunction with Allen Marine, Hearthside Books hosts their “Alaskan Authors Whale Watching” tour/sail open to the public. $59/person you receive all the appetizers you can eat and a chance to hang out with friends you hadn’t seen in awhile.
Lots of appetizers including salmon spread on croissants, fresh fruits and veggies, chocolate eclairs, etc.
Even though Nobu Koch and I are not authors, we were invited guests because we are the co-illustrator’s of Hannah Lindoff’s children’s book “Mary’s Wild Winter Feast” recently published in the Fall 2014. To order a copy of the book, and check out other blog posts about this book: Click here to read about “Mary’s Wild Winter Feast.”
Hannah Lindoff, author of children’s book “Mary’s Wild Winter Feast” introduces her illustrators, Clarissa Rizal (left) and Nobu Koch
Alaskan author Heather Lende, introduces her latest book “Find the Good”
Humpback whale
Ishmael Hope reads a requested poem from his book of poetry called “The Courtesans of Flounder Hill”
Chief Editor Jeff Brown introduces his latest edition of “Real Alaskan Magazine” which he publishes annually on April 1st.
Kim Heacox introduces his latest book “Rhythm of the Wild”
Alaskan Whale Watching Cruise – fluke
Writer Hannah Lindoff, Illustrator Nobu Koch, writer/poet Ishmael Hope
Hannah Lindoff, Nobu Koch, Clarissa Rizal
Author Mary Lou King introduces her latest “90+ Short Walks Around Juneau”
Authors Peter Metcalfe and Kathy Ruddy introduce “A Dangerous Idea”
Children’s book author Sarah Asper-Smith and her husband, illustrator Mitchell Watley introduce their book “I Would Tuck You In”
Sea lions cluster along a rock slab coastline of Admiralty Island
Many enjoyed the back deck in the second consecutive week of sunshine!
Last but not least, Juneau author Stuart Archer Cohen introduces his 4th novel “This Is How It Really Sounds”
May 28, 2015 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Tools-of-the-Trade |
“Clarissa’s Kitchenette” includes the basics: microwave, Fridge, Water, hot pot, with table and chairs!
A remodeled 2-car garage, “Clarissa’s Kitchenette” does not have running water nor plumbing, so there is limited eating and/or cooking that goes on in this space, though I still have the kitchenette basics: microwave, fridge, bottled water and a hot pot! (And to the very right of my water jug is my metal cabinet tool box covered by a South American weaving).
Three, small, metal cups rest under the water spicket ready for small hands of thirsty grandchildren in “Clarissa’s Kitchenette”
Grandmothers must always be prepared when their grandchildren come to visit, even if it is just one who lives next door! And when the others come to town, well then, they gotta share their cups now, don’t they (until of course, Grandma fetches 4 more cups to accommodate!).
Always prepared to share a quick snack in “Clarissa’s Kitchenette”
High dining table and chairs have become the style; at first I didn’t like that, however, I like the height for certain things, especially eating. To the very left is my free-standing, 6′ acrylic painting on canvas stretched across a curved column entitled, “Totemic Theories.” Hand-made ceramic bowls are being collected one-at-a-time from Durango Pottery and woven placemats and napkins from Pier 1 via gift to me from grandmothers-in-law, Charla Ellis. “Leaf” plates are from Walmart about 10 years ago. A Northwest Coast shower curtain designed by Morales hangs between the kitchenette and the bedroom.
Throughout my studio, I have weavings from various parts of the world. In photo below, on the wall is a field of geese with children walking camels past a lone house. This weaving was hand-made by young teen-agers in Egypt. The woven rugs and pillow coverings in the living room were made by the Zapotec in Mexico. In the rest of my studio, I have rugs woven in Tibet, a Nepalese prayer rug, a large, English tapestry, a large, woven box from Sweden, an Irish throw from County Clare, and throughout my studio, my trash cans are large woven “baskets”. Other baskets are from Africa, China, India, etc, and then of course, I use cedar bark baskets to hold my honorary weft yarns for Chilkat and Ravenstail weaving. Then not to mention my bedroom wicker set with carvings, and my wicker living room furniture. It wasn’t until about a month ago, I came to realize my surroundings are full of weavings! Golly, does this mean I am really watch you might call a weaver?
View into the “Studio Living Room” from “Clarissa’s Kitchenette”
“Clarissa’s Studio” is a 9-part series showing the 9 areas of Clarissa’s studio where I work full-time and live part of the year in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
Over the next three months (starting this past May), I will introduce you to various parts of my humble 700 sq.ft. sanctuary divided into sections. Here are the parts of “Clarissa’s Studio Series”:
- “The Living Room” where I play music, read, crochet, knit and clear out the coffee table to do Tai Chi;
- “The Office” where I draft proposals, emails, FB, grants, letters, update my website and post blog entries;
- “The Sewing Space” where I sew button robes and clothing for the grandkids;
- “The Weaving Space” for all my Chilkat and Ravenstail weaving projects on various size looms;
- “The Grand Table Space” where I do large layouts of robe pattern designs and cut the applique for button robes;
- “The Drawing Room” where I sketch and finalize drawings for robes, paintings, collages and book illustrations;
- “The Painting/Collage-making” where I create just that, along with printing limited edition Giclee’ prints and shrinkwrapping them;
- “Clarissa’s Kitchenette” where I zap an occasional Amy’s TV dinner for lunch and I keep a modest supply of drinking water;
- “Clarissa’s Storage Units” for beautiful and practical storage of all weaving, spinning, sewing, dyeing, beadworking supplies and recent collection of books
The first blog entry on “Clarissa’s Studio” series include:
“The Livingroom” at: http://www.clarissarizal.com/blogblog/clarissas-studio-part-1-the-living-room/
May 21, 2015 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Latest Art Projects, Relationship Overdrive |
Apron patterns of various sizes from babies to adult laid out to be cut
My children’s paternal grandmother celebrated her 90th birthday this past Sunday on May 17th with her 2 children, 6 grand children and 8 great-grandchildren. For her birthday present, I sewed up Alaskan-inspired aprons.
Sewing the pockets
10 years ago I had bought $600 worth of fabrics for a large wall mural that I was supposed to create for the Alaska Psychiatric Institute, but they re-nigged on the project so all the fabrics hung out in my attic until most recently. Out of the collection I chose a few fabrics with colors of the Alaskan landscape, particularly the blue-berries!
The stack of finished aprons
The sizes of aprons ranged to fit people who were 4, 6, 9 and 16-month to 3 and 5-year old and two 7-year-olds and of course one for Great Grandma Shirley! Though I was on a time crunch with all my other projects and business, I had such a blast during the making of these aprons! I am reminded once again how much I love to sew for those I love and I get a kick in the pants dressing up people, whether for a birthday party, wedding or a traditional Native ceremony!
All the kids and great grandma wear their aprons….Left to Right front row: Violet Hudson, Great Grandma Shirley, Amelie Haas, Louis Hope — L to R back row: Ursala Hudson holds Simone Haas, Rowenn Kalman holds Aisley Salas, Elizabeth Hope, Lily Hope holds Eleanor Hope, Ishmael Hope holds Mary Goodwin
May 4, 2015 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Tools-of-the-Trade |
The Hibiscus blooms fully in Clarissa’s living room
Folks wonder where the heck I live and work; there are only a handful of people who have seen the inside of my studio home, so I figured I would introduce the general public to where I play music, weave, write, sew, draw, paint (and sorry, I won’t be introducing you to my bedroom!). I work full-time and a half and live part of my year in a remodeled two car garage in the most beautiful part of Colorado. The studio has no running water, no sewer and has insufficient heat in the wintertime, but I wear my sheepskin boots, sheepskin hat and gloves during the days and sleep in fleece and sweatpants during the bitter cold months in December, January and sometimes February. Yes, I am working towards someday having a real home though it is gonna take awhile.
The sun sets upon the Easter lilies with what I call “middle-aged-ladies’-flowers” geraniums blooming in the background
Over the next three months, I will introduce you to various parts of my humble 700 sq.ft. sanctuary divided into sections. Here are the parts of “Clarissa’s Studio Series”:
- “The Living Room” where I play music, read, crochet, knit and clear out the coffee table to do Tai Chi;
- “The Office” where I draft proposals, emails, FB, grants, letters, update my website and post blog entries;
- “The Sewing Space” where I sew button robes and clothing for the grandkids;
- “The Weaving Space” for all my Chilkat and Ravenstail weaving projects on various size looms;
- “The Grand Table Space” where I do large layouts of robe pattern designs and cut the applique for button robes;
- “The Drawing Room” where I sketch and finalize drawings for robes, paintings, collages and book illustrations;
- “The Painting/Collage-making” where I create just that, along with printing limited edition Giclee’ prints and shrinkwrapping them;
- “Clarissa’s Kitchenette” where I zap an occasional Amy’s TV dinner for lunch and I keep a modest supply of drinking water;
- “Clarissa’s Storage Units” for beautiful and practical storage of all weaving, spinning, sewing, dyeing, beadworking supplies and recent collection of books
Clarissa’s hand-made Northwest Coast Tlingit carved harp with abalone inlay was recently repaired after nearly 25 years of collecting dust in the attic
I use sheer, white/off-white curtains to divide my spaces. Since the space is one big room, I want some sense of controlling the cold and heat, keep each work space free from distractions from other projects in the other work spaces, and to create privacy when needed. For example, compare the above photograph showing the closed curtains behind the couch, and then the open curtains in the photograph below exposing the small kitchenette. In all posts of the “Clarissa’s Studio Series” take note where I use the curtains.
The open curtains exposes Clarissa’s kitchenette
I live a secluded life during the Fall/Winter in Colorado in comparison to my very social life during the Spring/Summer in Alaska and most recently Yukon. In Colorado, I fulfill my need for privacy and seclusion, and other than hanging with my grandchildren and children, my main focus is my work; I work 70- 80 hours per week to create as much as I can within the time frame because once I land in Alaska, life is not about me, it’s about including others. Because I was born and bred in Alaska, and I remain true to my roots and heritage so I attend Native functions and teach classes, and I must harvest my berries and salmon, and I have many long-term friends and family, and the hours of daylight are long and wonderful, so it is very challenging to get any work done, who has time to work indoors!?!? There are beaches to be walked, oceans to ride, branches to brush aside and big trees to rest under, and always with others!
Clarissa’s music room
So every Springtime before I leave for Alaska, I absorb my serenity and look about me at the little bit of charm I’ve created herewithin, and I appreciate the stillness and silence while I create, create, create. Life is good as I nourish both aspects of this Gemini being!
Easter lilies at sunset in Clarissa’s music living room; and I’m sure you’ve noticed Clarissa’s red, tenor ukelele to the right!
Apr 9, 2015 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Class Act, Honoring Others, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Yukonian and Alaskan Chilkat and Ravenstail weaving students hold their wooden “warp sticks” along with dancers wearing Chilkat and Ravenstail robes (“Diving Whale” Chilkat robe woven by Clarissa Rizal, “Copper Child” woven by Lily Hope & Clarissa Rizal, “Grandmother’s Time” Ravenstail robe woven by Ann Smith — Kwaanlin Dun Cultural Center in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory – June 2013
Today, as I was doing some research on line about other Native American, Alaskan artists or Ravenstail and Chilkat weavers who may have blogs, I came across this article from Radio Canada International’s website:
http://www.rcinet.ca/en/2013/07/10/chilkat-and-ravenstail-weaving-renewed-in-yukon/
Ann Smith and I taught this class nearly two years ago; she taught Ravenstail and I taught Chilkat. It was a blast. It feels real good to help inspire the local Yukon weavers to come back to their “woven” selves. Ann and I met when we were young like most of these gals nearly 30 years ago. Little did we know then that we would be helping to revive our nearly-lost weaving traditions. Who woulda known, eh?
Mar 11, 2015 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, To Market To Market |
Sue and Israel Shotridge enjoy one another; Clarissa Rizal’s “Chilkat Child” won Best of Class at the Heard Museum Juried Art Show, Phoenix, AZ – March 2015
Doing art markets alone is not as much fun, however if you get along with other artists who may want to do the show alongside with you, like Sue and Israel Shotridge, it’s so much more fun! We had a blast! This was their first year at the market; this is my third year. We were two of 600+ Native American artists featured at the Heard Museum Native Art Fair and Market usually held the first weekend in March; this was the Heard’s 57th year. Sue and I were not quite a year old when they first started this fair! There were also a few other Northwest Coast Native artists at the Fair, though not many of us: Dolly Garza, Diane Douglas-Willard, and Zoe Urness.
Shotridges and Rizal combine their “gallery space” in each of their 10′ x 10′ booths at the Heard Museum Indian Art Fair and Market, March 7 & 8 – Phoenix, AZ, 2015
To be a part of the fair, the application process starts each year in July. To qualify, you must be at least 1/4 Native American with proof of your CIB (Certificate of Indian Blood), there’s a $25 application fee, the largest, 10’x10′ booths are $500, you must provide a resume’, and 10 images of your best work within the last 3 years. It’s easy for myself because I have established a large body of work over the past 39 years, though for emerging artists, the application process may be intimidating; however, keep your faith in yourself, put your best foot forward, and if you have nothing major to show for yourself, then get on the ball and produce some work before the Heard Museum deadline for application! Get it together, step up to your plate that’s waiting to “feed” you! It’s up to you!
Israel Shotridge drums and sings a clan song to an audience in his booth at the Heard Museum Native Art Fair & Market, Phoenix, AZ – March 2015
A select group of the booths at the Heard are 10′ x 10′. The Shotridges and I took down the canvas wall that divided our booths; we wanted to be able to converse and especially have more light AND give buyers and opportunity to “step into our gallery.” —- These shows can be a lot of work. It took three hours to set up my simple booth below. It took three hours for the Shotridges to do the same. Yet there is a simple pleasure in the accomplishment of making our space look inviting, and in our opinion, it really is like setting up a temporary outdoor “gallery.”
Clarissa Rizal’s “little gallery” art booth at the Heard Museum Native Art Fair & Market, Phoenix, AZ – March 2015
Outside of winning ribbons and with the intent you will sell some work to help offset not only your costs but pay some of your bills for the next few months, one of the best parts (for me) about doing shows are the variety of people we meet from all walks of life and the invites to other shows and events, or invites to artist retreats or residencies, and not to mention the up-and-coming artists who look to you for guidance and advice. Generally speaking, I think people like to be needed; it gives us another sense of self-worth!
Recent glassblown pieces by Tlingit glassblower Preston Singletary at his annual art show held the same week as the Heard Art Market, at the Blue Rain Gallery in Scottsdale, AZ
Jeremy Frey won Best of Show for his magnificent basket, Heard Museum Juried Art Show, March 2015
Carver Israel Shotridge and Glassblower Preston Singletary
Sue Shotridge takes a photo of the award-winning bentwood box carved by her husband, Israel Shotridge — Heard Museum Juried Art Show and Market – March 2015
Clarissa Rizal and Sue Shotridge sport their cedar bark hats woven by Haida artist Merle Anderson – March 2015
Beadwork close-up by beadwork artist Marcus Amerman – (I am partial to the Chilkat emblem in dead center!); Heard Museum Juried Art Show & Market, March 2015
Marcus Amerman’s beaded “Smithsonian” piece at the Heard Museum Native Art Fair Juried Art Show, Phoenix, AZ – March 2015
Adrian Wall’s sculptures in blown glass and stone at the Heard Museum Native Art Fair & Market, Phoenix, AZ – March 2015
Feb 2, 2015 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Latest Art Projects, Showing Off |
Hand-painted mini-coops in Chilkat yellow and Indian red! by Clarissa Rizal
Let’s go for a quick road-trip in one of these “Chilkat Mobiles” zipping through the Redwood Forests and out across Canyonlands and Arches National Monuments sliding into Sedona across the Mohave dessert and up towards the Rocky Mountains! Yep, zippidity do dah at your fingertips in the miniatures of miniatures!
Jan 31, 2015 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Showing Off, To Market To Market |
“Chilkat Child” headdress and collar – trimmed with sea otter fur and 22. bullet shells – designed and handwoven by Clarissa Rizal
I am currently gearing up for a full year of travel to art shows, cultural center openings, and of course visiting my kids and grandkids along the way! Here’s my 2015 show schedule (subject to change):
1). Heard Museum Indian Art Market and Fair, Phoenix, AZ – March 5-8th – Booth #D45
2). Grand Opening of Soboleff Cultural Center, Juneau, AK – May 15
3). Teslin’s “KusTeYea” Celebration, Teslin, Yukon, July 24-26
4). Santa Fe Indian Market, Santa Fe, New Mexico, August 21-23
5). Haskell Institute Native Art Market, Lawrence, KS , September 12-13
6). Cherokee Art Market, Tulsa, OK, October 9-11
7) Autry Native American Art Market, Los Angeles, CA November 7-8
8). NMAI (National Museum of the American Indian) Holiday Art Market, NYC, December 5-6
