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
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
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?
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!
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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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...
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
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!
Irene and William Lampe - December 1955 - my mother is pregnant with her first daughter, Clarissa Rizal Lampe
Irene passed away last year on the 4th of July; she was 86 years old. This is the first Mother’s Day without her; somehow as much as I tried to feel okay about this day with my family members, I couldn’t help but feel melancholy – it was always such a special day when our mother was alive. And even though I am not only a mother of 3 but a grandmother of 4, I’m not in any mode to celebrate myself in that role. I must look for another element…I’ll celebrate my daughters as mothers.
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.
2008 Northwest Coast Artist Gathering - Juneau, Alaska ----- Insert L to R: Aldona Jonaitis, Nicholas Galanin, Nathan Jackson, Marianne Nicholson -- sponsored by Artstream Alaska with support from Sealaska Corporation
In 2010 and again this year in 2012, Sealaska Heritage Institute has assumed the role of sponsoring an artists’ gathering held the day before the biennial “Celebration” gathering of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimpshian peoples of the Northwest Coast. The artists’ gathering is scheduled on Wednesday, June 6th, 11am to 3:30pm at the Old Armory (now the Juneau Arts & Culture Center). All artists working in the Northwest Coast Native art traditions are invited to this event.
For clarity purposes, this artists gathering is a spin-off on the original productions created and sponsored by the non-profit organization Artstream Alaska in 2006 and 2008.
Although the original directors and producers, Preston Singletary and Clarissa Rizal are not a part of the coordination of this year’s event, the following is a brief history of the original Northwest Coast Artists’ Gathering…
The original Northwest Coast Artists’ Gatherings were sponsored by Artstream Alaska with additional financial support from Sealaska Corporation. The mission of the Northwest Coast Artists’ Gathering is to bring together artists and facilitators that work in the indigenous northwest coast style of art: to foster dialog; to develop connections; to explore new materials and techniques; to inspire new work; and to create a community that is inclusive and thoughtful, and that honors tradition while moving into the 21st Century.
In 2004 Alaska Native artists Clarissa Rizal and Donna Beaver were photographing and filming at “Celebration 2004,” for their regalia documentary project. Clarissa spent time with long-time friend and fellow Tlingit artist Preston Singletary. The concept of creating an artists’ gathering began when Clarissa and Preston talked and wished for an opportunity to meet each other’s artist buddies (Clarissa introduces Donna and Preston). They had no idea that they would meet over and over again, even later that year in September 2004, with approximately 20,000 Native Americans from all over the hemisphere at the opening of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI). and with assistance from Artstram’s Board of Directors and other volunteers, Preston and Clarissa coordinated the first NWCAG in 2006; four years later in 2008, and again with assistance from Artream’s BOD and volunteers, Chloe French coordinated the Northwest Coast Artist Gathering receiving support from the NMAI.
The Northwest Coast Artist Gathering was a unique opportunity for artists from all backgrounds who work in Northwest Coast inspired art forms to meet and share information about themselves and their work. The event was sponsored by our non-profit Artstream Cultural Resources (now Artstream Alaska) and partially funded by Sealaska Corporation. Artstream Alaska held the first Juneau event in May 2006, one day before Sealaska Heritage Institute’s well-known biennial Celebration. This first Gathering – as it is sometimes referred to – was a one-day event and drew about 125 artists and arts organization representatives.
The second Artist Gathering in June 2008 was a two-day event, again sponsored by Artstream Alaska with partial funding from Sealaska Corporation and NMAI and coordinated by artist Chloe French. The first day featured an artist panel discussion on Native Alaskan art-related issues, sponsored and organized by the NMAI. Several Alaskan Native artists made up the panel — including Marianne Nicolson from Victoria, B.C., Nathan Jackson from Ketchikan, and Nick Galanin from Sitka, along with moderator Aldona Jonaitis, Director of Museum of the North, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Later, all participating artists were given the opportunity to introduce themselves during a Power Point Presentation featuring their work; this is a highlight of the event since many have either seen an artist’s work and not met the artist or have met the artist but was not familiar with their work! During the second day, Gathering participants worked on an interactive collaborative design project based on the issues discussed during the morning’s panel discussion. Keynote speaker Walter Porter from Yakutat gave his lecture,“Box of Daylight” (view Walter’s lecture from event). Both days’ activities were held at the Old Armory in Juneau.
Many events occur during the Sealaska Celebration. Artstream was pleased to be able to provide space at the Old Armory for the HAIL awards ceremony, spearheaded by the late Andy Hope III. HAIL stands for “Honoring Alaskan Indigenous Literature” and that organization’s event presented awards to five outstanding Native Alaskan writers, of which Clarissa Rizal received one of the awards for her “Jennie Weaves An Apprentice: A Chilkat Weaver’s Handbook.” Artstream also agreed to rearrange its Gathering schedule to accommodate Sealaska Heritage Institute’s final set up preparations for the Native Artists’ Market, which was also to be held in the Old Armory following our event.
The Gathering’s volunteer organizing committee included Clarissa Rizal, Preston Singletary, Aldona Jonaitis, Jan Steinbright, Donna Beaver, Chloe French, Doug Waugh that reflected a mix of cultural and professional backgrounds, including teachers, artists, curators and arts activists, both Native and non-Native. A big thanks to all the artists who attended and all our volunteers who made 2006 & 2008 Gatherings a success!
Northwest Coast Artist Gathering 2006 & 2008 coordinators L to R: Doug Waugh, Aldona Jonaitis, Alan Pizzarelli, Donna Beaver Pizzarelli, Clarissa Rizal, Jan Steinbright, NMAI art director Keevin Lewis, and Preston Singletary
The 2012 Native Artists Gathering sponsored by Sealaska Heritage Institute is inviting all Native artists to bring photographs of their work to share and network. There will also be an artist panel discussion and light refreshments. We envision SHI’s gathering of artists is a welcomed event and enjoyed by all!
Stroller Pack - invented and created by John Ingalls of Juneau, Alaska
Back in the early 80’s, John Ingalls had a shop where he designed and manufactured these Stroller Packs – a stroller that can glide over sand, snow, rock, gravel, wooded paths, tundra and any other Alaskan terrain. This stroller easily converts into a back pack (see photo below showing the straps). This is the most coveted stroller by mainly Juneau families who enjoy the ease of traveling with their toddlers in the great outdoors of Alaska.
Stroller Pack label
John Ingalls is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. He is the great grandson of the great-grandpa Ingalls who was a co-inventor and best friend to Ben Franklin. John is a musician; he plays any kind of flute there is and also constructed large Andean panpipes made from titanium; pretty dang cool. When John’s kids were young, John saw the need for real stroller, one that can collapse and fits into the overhead compartment on the jet, one that can travel in any terrain whether natural or man-made, maneuvers and turns on a dime and one that is considerably lighter than any other stroller of its magnitude. So he began creating this stroller and pretty soon everyone in town wanted one. Then before you know it, the business took off. I consider John to be the “Godfather” of Juneau – my definition of a godfather is not the normal definition. My definition of godfather is the man who watches out and over the community in which he lives. A man with few words, he pays attention to the distinct characteristics of all the locals. Although known as being an eccentric, John has a heart of gold.
Stroller Pack - back showing the shoulder straps and waist strap
The Stroller Pack company was a family affair back in the 80’s. He designed and re-designed them, ordered all the fabrics, ordered all the parts, welded certain pieces together, and my son was the “fitter”, the guy who put the framework together, my Ex did the logo design, brochure layout, photography, etc., and I sewed all the parts that could be sewn.
Where can you buy one of these strollers or at least try one out? Well, if you live in Juneau and you see someone with one, stop and ask them about their StrollerPack; most owners are delighted to share their experiences. I also have this one in the photographs. I bought this one after I quit working for John on my move out of Alaska to Colorado back in 1993. I figured I would use it when I became a Grandma, however, 19 years later, now that I’m a 4-time Grandmother, my children would rather have me use their fancy $450 3-wheelers that are so stylish these days – the design and function of the Stroller Pack does not appeal to them. What!?–you mean there is such a thing as “stroller fads!?” Who woulda known!?
I cleaned out the entire attic’s worth of 18 years of family member’s piles. The Stroller Pack has been up there collecting dust; never been used but maybe once. If you are interested or know of someone else who is interested in this Pack, feel free to contact me. John no longer manufactures them anymore; I’ll let this one go for $350.00! Come on; go for it!