Sep 6, 2012 | Latest Art Projects, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Just finished this collage directly at high noon today. It’s a part of my ongoing series of mixed-media collages started in 2001 – this one is “Tlingit World Series #099”
This collage is part of an international exhibit commemorating 100 years of Collage art (1912 – 2012) featuring collage artists from the world over opening on Friday, September 14th at the International Museum of Collage, Assemblage and Construction in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. This exhibit is curated by Cecil Touchon, director of the Museum. For information on the exhibit, visit the blog spot. For more information on the museum, to become a contributor and to view a few of the artists’ work, click here.
Stay tuned; I’ll post photographs of the exhibit opening after September 14th!
Aug 20, 2012 | Latest Art Projects, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, To Market To Market |
Clarissa Rizal’s booth #283PAL at the Santa Fe Indian Market – someone commented that the booth was set up like a “little museum” – and another commented it looked like a “miniature gallery” – nice compliments, indeed!
I just don’t know how artists do this market annually; when I was younger I bounced back – not any more. Some have done this market for 50+ years. I’ve done this market 4 times in 18 years, since my first one in 1994. As exhilarating and exciting this market can be with the variety of artists and their works, the thousands of people in just two days, and all the other art shows, fashion shows, musical and artistic events crammed into a total of maybe 4 days, I find that I am just not cut out for this kind of intense activity like I used to be. However, I think that I just have to learn how to preserve and contain my energies while I’m at the market so that it doesn’t take me three years to re-couperate!
Top left feathers hang; bottom left is the wire “tree” with gumboot earrings, Chilkat/Ravenstail doll with the red Rusisan-style Navy hat next to the Ravenstail ensemble of “Copper Child” with the “Totemic Mosaics” in the background
I give thanks to all the folks who put this event together; producing a market of this magnitude is a lot of work. What?–there are over 1000 artists crammed into tiny cubicles in the heart of Santa Fe – White booths line both sides of the streets each one block off the Plaza – and Santa Fe has done this for 91 years! HOly Moly! I commend SWAIA for the extraordinary dedication – I give thanks to all my friends, family members and DanDan who helped me get my stuff done and then off to market; and those friends who live in Santa Fe, whom I haven’t seen in months or years, who came by to visit. The experience of people working together for a “cause” is a pleasant feeling; it makes all the work worthwhile!
the wire “tree” is adorned with the gumboot earrings – what are gumboots? (See description below) These particular gumboot shells were harvested from Glacier Bay National Park in Southeast Alaska
The Gumboots chitons, Cryptochiton Stelleri are also known as the giant Pacific chiton – they are a food source for many indigenous peoples, harvested from Central Coast of California, up the Northwest Coast of British Columbia and Southeast Alaska to the Aleutian Islands and to Japan.
These chitons have eight armored “butterfly” plates running in a flexible line down their back. Unlike most chitons, the gumboot’s plates are completely hidden by its leather upper skin, which is usually reddish-brown, brown, or occasionally orange in color. They can grow up to 14 inches long, and can live up to 40 years.
The Tlingit people enjoy eating the rubbery-textured gumboots boiled and dipped in seal oil, or pickled just like cucumbers. True to Tlingit tradition, they utilize the entire animal; the shells either adorn regalia or get made into earrings, as you see here and most recently at the Santa Fe Indian Market this past weekend of August 18th and 19th.
Close-up of items for sale at Clarissa’s table: hand-caste paper feathers, cell phone covers (with padding), brochures and the infamous Russian-style Navy hats adorned with buttons and beads – if you look closely at the two ladies in the photo in front of the hats, on the left is Donna – she wears an actually Russian Navy hat from the 1800’s adorned with fringe – Clarissa (right) wears the Tlingit version in felted wool her grandmother Mary Sarabia created in the late 50’s/early60’s.
The Russian-style Navy hats were the big draw to Clarissa’s booth; most people had never seen anything like them and wondered where they came from.
The Russian sailor hats are reminiscent of the hats once bartered (or from battles) assimilated by the Tlingit for use in regalia in the 1800’s. After the purchase of Alaska, the sailor hats from Russia were no longer available in trading and Tlingits subsequently created elaborately styled wool and felt versions of the hat.
I will have these hats available for sale on my website within the next week by September 1st. I will also have my hand-caste paper feathers, greeting cards and cell phone covers available for sale too.
Waldorf School teacher Vicki Vessier and Clarissa wear Tlingit-ized Russian Navy hats handmade by Clarissa – Vicki’s is fringed with abalone shells and beads; Clarissa’s is fringed with red seed beads
For those of you who are self-employed artists/business folk, if you have not done so already, incorporate the smallest visa card contraption on the planet yet: the Square. Half of my sales were done with the Square – as easy as 1, 2, 3! The Square doesn’t cost a thing, you can do a sale anywhere as long as you have your iPhone to plug into, there is no monthly fee, and it’s only .275% off every sale. Check out the Square!
the Santa Fe Indian Market crowd – Saturday afternoon, March 18, 2012
DanDan and I had a great time at the market, although it’s gonna take several days to re-couperate from the intense activity. I am already planning next year’s market. I think the best part about Indian Market is after all the work is done, the booth is all set up like a “little gallery” and I can relax and meet people from all walks of life and from various corners of our Mother Earth! See you next year, same time, same station!
Aug 17, 2012 | Latest Art Projects, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, To Market To Market |
Friends Shayla, Emily and Rosalia model a few Russian-style Navy hats, each made with cotton fabrics and/or felt embellished with trim of beads, sea shells, and/or abalone, and the band trimmed with antique mother-of-pearl buttons
These hats are based on the actual Russian Navy hats of the 1800’s. The Northern Tlingit tribes adorn themselves with these hats, and although the original hats were from the Russian Navy, the hats of today are mainly worn by women. There is an historical event that took place over 200 years ago that to this day, is acknowledged by the “YenWaaShaa” (Women of the Navy) of the Kaagwaantaan (Wolf clan) women.
The Russian sailor hats are reminiscent of the hats once bartered (or from battles) assimilated by the Tlingit for use in regalia in the 1800’s. After the purchase of Alaska, the sailor hats from Russia were no longer available in trading and Tlingits subsequently created elaborately styled wool and felt versions of the hat.
Clarissa with long-time friend Kamala adorns one of the hats with that Scottish slant!
These hats will be available for sale at the Santa Fe Indian Market this coming weekend and also at the Alaska Juneau Public Market during Thanksgiving weekend. If you cannot make it to the Santa Fe Indian Market to purchase one, you may order one from my website (Shop and Buy page) after September 1st. They are $75 each plus shipping to wherever you are!
Aug 17, 2012 | Latest Art Projects, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, To Market To Market |
Clarissa Rizal’s button blanket images on greeting cards – 6 of the 9 images above include L to R: “Following Our Ancestor’s Trail”, “The Greater Nature”, “Wrestling With Angels”, “Step Into the Light”, “Owl Woman” and “Emergence”
Twenty years ago we hand-printed silkscreened greeting cards with 9 different images based on button blankets I had designed and created. Although not hand-printed this time, I am reviving the set of button blanket greeting cards; they will be available for sale at the Santa Fe Indian Market the weekend of August 18 & 19th, and by September 1st, they will be available for sale as a set of 9 cards for $35 on my website under “Shop and Buy.”
Late at night, the cards all organized and ready to fold with an envelope
I am fortunate to have friends available to help stuff the card/envelope into the clear plastic sleeves; it was a mid-day party! – the sleeves are a very nice clean, clear quality from www.clearbags.com
This clear, acrylic card rack holds 9 cards either horizontally or vertically – the card rack is also purchased from www.clearbags.com for about $68 includes shipping.
Aug 16, 2012 | Latest Art Projects, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, To Market To Market |
Chilkat/Ravenstail robe and Ravenstail leggings on the loom late at night – the leggings are not quite finished
My daughters and I collaborated on creating a Chilkat/Ravenstail/Buttonblanket 18″ doll. I sewed the leather body and finished off the leggings and trimmed the fringe of the robe. Lily Hope designed and wove the robe and began the leggings, Ursala Hudson designed, beaded and sewed the button blanket style tunic and the button blanket Russian-style Navy hat. Lots of fun putting the doll together and bringing this little being to life!
Ravenstail Robe for an 18″ doll woven by Lily Hope
Ravenstail leggings woven by Lily Hope modeled on the 18″ leather doll made by Clarissa
Backside of the Chilkat/Ravenstail doll
Front of Chilkat/Ravenstail doll–oops, one strand of the beaded hat is obviously flipped up…!
Jul 1, 2012 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Class Act, Honoring Others, Ravens & Eagles, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Israel and Sue Shotridge's new gallery "Raven's Nest" on Vashon Island, Washington State
On my return to Colorado, I made it a point to take a jaunt over to Vashon Island and visit fellow artists Israel and Sue Shotridge who have been living in this small community for the past 15 years and are originally from Ketchikan, Alaska. I wanted to check out their gallery space and their workshop space because I have been invited by the Shotridges to conduct a class in button blanket making and possibly do a First Friday exhibit of my work in November this year.
Sue Shotridge stands behind a display case exhibiting her husband Israel's silver work in pendants, earrings and bracelets
After helping Sue load in some of her back room supplies and seeing this wonderful cozy gallery, and the way she has set it up, I could not help but want a gallery for my work too! hahaha! I never thought I’d ever hear myself say such a thing, let alone think it!
The Shotridges are arranging their schedule of workshops for this Summer into Fall. Check out their website for details on workshops and images of Israel’s work at: www.shotridgestudios.com
Or if you are in the Vashon Island neighborhood, stop by and check out their beautiful creations on the right side of the main drag in downtown Vashon!
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 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!
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 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.
