Oct 6, 2014 | Tools-of-the-Trade |
One of my weaving apprentices recently turned me on to the best lamp for weaving…the V-Light!
I appreciate the fact that the best light in the world for weaving Chilkat and Ravenstail weaving is this lamp: the V-Light ! I was turned on to this lamp via one of my students this past Summer; holy moly, this light makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD!!! I purchased this lamp at Office Max. Every time I go into any store that sells lamps, I am always check to see if they carry this particular brand and model, nothing else comes close! If there were two or three of these lamps at Office Max, i would have bought all of them!
Oct 5, 2014 | Class Act, Latest Art Projects, Relationship Overdrive, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, Tools-of-the-Trade |
4-year-old Amelie Soleil Haas spins Chilkat warp on her thigh for the first time
For the past two days, Amelie has come into Grandma Rissy’s studio and has seen me splitting cedar bark, getting it all ready to begin spinning yards of warp for my next projects. Amelie tried her hand at splitting bark last week, and to my surprise she was darn good adept at it. Today, she surprised me even more when she asked if she could spin the warp, to which of course I said “sure, why not?” and I only had to show her one time and gave her all the pointers like I do my weaving students, and voile’ she was a natural ! She spun like she had been doing it all her life (only 4 years!). I don’t know if I felt so much pride in my life…! Then again, she IS my grand-daughter and I suppose that’s what Grandmas are supposed to feel like!
Clarissa is touching the large coil of cedar bark BEFORE it is split into the thin strips as shown
After I cook all the sap out of the cedar bark, I split the coils of cedar into very fine strips. Each fine strip is then spun with the wool on our thighs to create the warp (the verticle-hanging yarns on the weaving loom). It took me 26 hours to split about a pound of cedar bark; I did it in 2.5 days…(while watching a Netflix television series, of course!). Watching a movie or television series, helps me to “getterdun!”
Sep 26, 2014 | Latest Art Projects, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, To Market To Market |
Child-size Chilkat headband in progress — Clarissa Rizal — 2014
I have been weaving a Child-size Chilkat dance ensemble which includes a robe, apron, leggings and headdress. These two photos show the progress of the headdress above and one of a pair of leggings below…stay tuned for images of the completed ensemble this November!
The beginnings of the blue curlique in the child-size Chilkat dance leggings — Clarissa Rizal 2014
Sep 11, 2014 | Latest Art Projects, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
A woven Curlique using Chilkat weaving techniques — by Clarissa Rizal
I am weaving a child-size Chilkat apron as part of a 5-piece Chilkat woven ensemble which will also include a headdress, robe, and leggings. My goal is to complete the ensemble by end of October; I will have the entire ensemble shown at the Alaska-Juneau Public Market during Thanksgiving weekend at the Centennial Hall in Juneau, Alaska. Above is a semi-completed image of my first curlique using the Chilkat weaving techniques. The merino yarns were hand-dyed by a yarn company out of Homer, Alaska. Stay tuned for updates on the “Chilkat Child” ensemble.
Aug 2, 2014 | Honoring Others, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Flanked by two Ravenstail robes woven by Shgen, Clarissa poses with Shgen George (center) and her daughter Gabby Kay at her first show opening during 1st Friday Gallery Walk, August 1st, 2014 at the Juneau Arts & Culture Center (JACC), Juneau, Alaska
Shgen George has been an elementary school teacher for at least 10 years; she carves out time from her other roles as mother, wife, mentor, teacher, and daughter to do her art – it isn’t easy! Like where do you find the time to do your art when there’s always student’s class assignments to check during the weekend!? She had an impressive showing of buttonrobes, Ravenstail robes, beaded, appliqued and woven Chilkat and Ravenstail octopus bags! Wow. Even I have never had a one-man show and I’ve been at this for nearly 40 years! — Click here for more information on Shgen and her show at the JACC during the month of August.
Shgen says that I am her mentor. (Really? Me?) I am not only her teacher of Chilkat, I am her mentor. I have never really considered myself a “mentor” – like what does that mean? Someone who knows a little more about life’s certain topics that shares it on a consistent basis with specific person(s). She says that I have inspired her tremendously and wants to do what I have done in my life. I have never had anyone else tell me this; I wonder if there are others who feel the same way? I had not ever considered myself as someone “to follow in their footsteps…” so to speak. I am 58 years old this year; I better get on the ball and take my position seriously. So I have given her some pointers on how to go about doing this: what to watch out for, the dedication, determination and drive of doing art to keep yourself sane while growing up and old all the while becoming more of a human being, and all the while balancing your life with your husband, your kids, your community, your health,…and of course, your other job!
A few years ago, when I saw Shgen’s astounding beadworked octopus bags, I told her that I had woven a couple of octopus bags, one Ravenstail, the other Chilkat. I encouraged her to weave octopus bags of all kinds, and why not!? Nobody’s doing it and it’s gotta be done and I’m too busy doing other weavings and works so it might as well be her! By golly, she’s done it!
Shgen too is part of Jennie Thlunaut’s legacy of a Chilkat weaver. I know Jennie would be proud of Shgen, her character, her talent and her works.
Congratulations Shgen!!! And Gunulcheesh to her husband, daughter, mother, father and other community members who have supported Shgen in her achievements!!!
Can we have an Amen!? Can we have a HOO-HAA!?
Aug 1, 2014 | Latest Art Projects, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, To Market To Market |
Pair of Chilkat armbands .22 bullet shells on fringe; will add fur trim and line with leather; hand-dyed blues and yellow — woven by Clarissa Rizal — July 2014
Like the “Resilience” Chilkat robe I just completed in June, I am finally getting around to weaving an idea I had 20+ years ago: an 8-piece Chilkat/Ravenstail ensemble called “Chilkat Hombre” which includes these armbands above, “dreadlock” headdress (like I wove over 10 years ago for my “Copper Woman” outfit), a chest sash, pair of gauntlets, codpiece and Chilkat/leather chaps! Stay tuned for more images of the other pieces; I intend to complete the entire ensemble by March 2016 !
Jul 30, 2014 | Class Act, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Back-side of the Chilkat face by Crystal Rogers
Crystal Rogers has returned towards completion of her child-size Chilkat robe. She began her apprenticeship with me last summer during our Chilkat weaving retreat and tour in Yukon and the northern parts of southeast Alaska. (Click here to read about the weaving tour and see many, many photos)
Front side of Crystal’s Chilkat face of her child-size robe
Any student or apprentice who learns Chilkat weaving with me is directly part of Jennie Thlunaut’s Chilkat weaving legacy. I am proud of Crystal for completing her Chilkat face. She has learned just about everything I learned from Jennie Thlunaut nearly 30 years ago…now she is on the Chilkat path of a life-long learning process by way of weaving, weaving, weaving!!! Congratulations Crystal! — Anytime you need assistance in your weaving, you know how to get a hold of me!
Jul 22, 2014 | Class Act, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
The beautiful natural blonde Ravenstail weaving “classroom” held in the livingroom of Cabin #1, part of the Teslin Motel, Teslin, Yukon Territory, Canada
Teslin Cultural Center rented what I call a log cabin “mansion” to host a Ravenstail class/retreat held morning, noon and night for two weeks this past July 7-21. Weavers stocked the fridge with fresh fish and rhubarb; someone always brought food – we ate like queens! We wove like monsters!
Marge Beaufeld, Nita Clarke and Gwen Wally
One of the most fabulous things about teaching is when the student’s “light goes on” – like, yeah man, they get it! Things are clicking and continue to click after that! Yeah, can we hear an AMEN!? Can we hear a HOO HA!?
Marge and Nita check the speed of Clarissa’s fingering…!
Students teaching students – fantastic!
I bought 7 books of the Ravenstail Patterns (Contemporary and Ancient) compiled by the Ravenstail Weavers’ Guild (contact Kay Parker (907)-586-2491 for copies of the book). Instead of weaving the exact same headband, I suggested three simple designs from the handbook for the students to choose from using the design patterns and colors in whatever order they wish – each headband was very different from the next! In this way, each headband was personalized.
Trisha and her mother Louise Baker each wove a project on the same loom – Here they are beginning to wrap the warp ends of the Ravenstail headdress and once finished will remove from the loom.
L to R: Patricia Baker, Clarissa Rizal, Nita Clarke, Louise Baker, Bev Morris, Marge Beaufeld, Gwen Wally (Missing: Denise & Kelly Sam)
The log cabin on Teslin Lake; approximately 2300 square feet includes 1 bedroom and 600 sq. ft. loft, full kitchen, and laundry room is about $200/night
I’ve never been one who has been attracted to log cabin style of homes – I’ve always had the judgment that they were big for nothing, however, all of that was changed when I first stepped into the magnificence of the blonde wood making everything golden, though I understand that with age, the wood becomes darker and sometimes grey (which I don’t really like especially growing up in the grey Southeastern Alaskan weather)…
My own personal “weaving room” – the upstairs loft which is almost as big as my own studio though with a fantastic view of the lake free of any sign of human lights from cars, houses, etc.
Thank you to the coordinator of this class, Melaina Sheldon from Teslin Cultural Center! Thank you TCC for sponsoring this class retreat. All of us truly appreciate your support!
The start of Clarissa’s child-size ensemble: robe, apron and headdress – multiple weavings going at once motivates the weaver to WEAVE!
I’ve spent the last five Summers in Yukon; I realize that I LOVE YUKON!!! I love the landscape, all the wild animals (I saw bear, moose, lots of rabbits, wolf, and even lynx!), and I just love the people in this culture. The way people are reminds me of the way we were in Juneau 40 years ago: real. People are very real in Yukon; generous, sharing, accepting, matter of fact, no-nonsense, practical and they’ve got that “wilderness within” quite in tact with that real “native” sense of humor that always makes fun of ourselves – Not like those of us in politics.
Midnight on Teslin Lake; I enjoyed this view at the foot of my bed every time I retired for the day, enjoyed when I’d wake up in the middle of the night with the moon rise and enjoyed every morning at 5:30 with the sunrise – a luxury that I soaked up and will keep with me for a long time!
Already I am planning my return to Yukon next Summer with two weaving retreats in the works; first one to be held at Wayne and Cherri Price’s “mansion” (one of the big, white Ft. Seward houses), Haines, Alaska two weeks BEFORE the Adaka Festival (June 26-July 2, 2015) in Whitehorse and the other campout retreat on the shores of Teslin Lake near the Teslin Cultural Center two weeks BEFORE their “Kus Te Yea” Celebration (July 23, 24 & 25, 2015). If you are a weaver and are interested in attending, keep these dates in mind and stay posted to my blog!
Jul 15, 2014 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Class Act, North Tide, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, Uncategorized |
The sandblox at the Atlin Music Festival was the same size as last year, but it seems this year it was the main hot spot at any given part of the day with at least 50 young children of toddlers up to 10 years old
Atlin Tlingit Louise Gordon is a co-founding member of the Atlin Music Festival. This is the second consecutive year she has invited indigenous Ravenstail and Chilkat weavers to demonstrate our traditional weaving styles at the Atlin Music Festival. Atlin is located in the upper part of British Columbia, Canada, just on the Northeastern side of the mountains from Juneau, Alaska. Click here for more info on the annual music festival in beautiful Atlin, B.C.
Sharon Shorty and Marge Baufeld demonstrate Ravenstail and Chilkat weaving in the Artists’ Tent at the Atlin Music Festival, Atlin, B.C.
Gunalcheesh, Louise Gordon for inviting us to demonstrate our weaving traditions at the Atlin Music Festival !
The Atlin Music Festival’s Campsite Specs has its sense of humor designating the quiet campers to the left of the sign and the noisy campers to the right!
I just loved this sign: “quiet, family, relax, zen, sleep peacefully…camp on the left of this sign” and those of your who are “loud, noisy, party, music, late hours…camp to the right of this sign…!”
There is the place for campers and RVs, then there’s the “Tent City” with a fabulous view!
I never really appreciated outdoor music festivals until this year…! Like down in Colorado, we’ve got them everywhere in almost every little town and big towns…it’s the norm; kids grow up with this kind of culture. I didn’t,…alas, I grew up in a rainforest where we could not count on a sunny day to plan something way ahead of time like an outdoor concert much less a day of picking berries without a raincoat!
Jul 4, 2014 | Class Act, North Tide, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Louise Baker pays attention to Lily Hope teaching Diane Knopp how to dress her next weaving project on the loom
Ann Smith and I taught our second weaving class together in Chilkat and Ravenstail weaving during the week-long Adaka Festival in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Lily Hope assisted for four days (her first time being away from her family!).
Ann Smith drafts out pattern configuration for Ravenstail design
Ann Smith and I were two of Cheryl Samuel’s first students to learn Ravenstail back in 1989. Since then Ann has woven approximately 5 Ravenstail robes and numerous smaller weavings and has taught classes in Yukon and British Columbia. Ann was one of my first students in Chilkat weaving back in 1991; in fact, she inspired me to weave robes instead of weaving contemporary pieces of regalia. Only recently have I decided to incorporate weaving smaller items in my time line!
Clarissa demonstrates the fantastic fingering technique of her teacher/mentor Jennie Thlunaut. L to R: Dan Shorty, Stefanie Sakinya, Diane Knopp, Andra Hunter, Clarissa, Marge Baufeld, Louise Baker, Sally Lutchman, Charlene Baker
Most of the techniques and spiritual information I teach are directly from my apprenticeship with the last of the traditional master weavers, Jennie Thlunaut from Klukwan, Alaska who passed away in July 1986 two months after she taught me. All students who learn from me are a direct lineage of Jennie’s legacy, the most prolific Chilkat weaver of all time with 50 robes and 8 tunics.
Lily Hope demonstrates weaving techniques on Clarissa’s child-size Chilkat robe to visitors at the Adaka Festival
Lily Hope has been weaving Ravenstail for nearly 10 years. She started weaving Chilkat weaving 4 years ago when she was an assistant teacher during one of my classes in Juneau; little did anyone know that as she was “student teaching” she was for the first time learning how to weave Chilkat!!!
Louise Baker (Tagish) measures her warp for the child-size headband using Jennie Thlunaut’s old-time technique of cutting a piece of cardboard to the length of the project, wrapping the warp loosely but evenly around the board and then cutting one end, before hanging strands on the loom
The class is fairly full with 10 eager students
Lily demonstrates how to “dress” your loom
Ann helps Marge Beaufeld with her first braids while Nita Clarke whizzes away with happy anticipation of another weaving!
Charlene Baker (Whitehorse) shows Debra Michel (Atlin) the additional weaving she has on her loom – one is her first Chilkat weaving the other is her combination of Chilkat and Ravenstail (of which she is well versed).
Debra Michel weaves her second Chilkat weaving, a dance apron she designed…
Lily helps Zach James (Haines, AK) establish his first row of his Ravenstail pattern while Dan Shorty pays attention
Andra Hunter and her mother, Sally Lutchman contemplate what to do next
Stefanie Sakinya Sidney has begun another weaving project on the other side of her loom…!
Ann Smith (with her granddaughter) have fun with Nita Clarke – (let’s face it people, Chilkat and Ravenstail weaving is a lot of work, but it’s fun work!)
Ann reminds the weavers to be mindful of keeping their “stitches” even
Stefanie, Zach, Lily Sharon and Louise
L to R back row: Debra Michel, Charlene Baker, Diane Knopp, Sharon Shorty, Carver Dempsey Bob, Marge Beaufeld, Nita Clarke – Front row: Clarissa Rizal, Ann Smith, Louise Baker (missing: Lily Hope, Zach James, Sally Lutchman, Andra Hunter)
I am totally impressed with the commitment and dedication of the Yukon weavers. It is quite an honor for us to teach weavers who are eager to learn and eager to create more dance regalia for their family, friends and community members. This experience has been an instructor’s dream. And I know it was Jennie’s dream come true as well. She was the last traditional weaver; imagine how she must have felt! Imagine what she would feel if she were to see the number of wanna-be-weavers that have come out of the woodwork to dedicate themselves to a life-long learning process! I know only a small fraction of what she would feel; it has brought me to my knees with gratitude and compassion to be a part of Jennie’s legacy – to be a part of the traditional Chilkat weavers’ legacy and to be a part of this present-day legacy of this younger generation who will carry this forward. Can I have an Amen!? Can I have a Hoo-haa!
Looking through the class window at Clarissa’s yellow “Chilkat mobile” in the parking lot of the KwanlinDun Cultural Center in Whitehorse, Yukon
Thank you to Charlene Alexander, Executive Director of the Adaka Festival (in it’s 4th year), who coordinated another year of this amazing event and once again has invited us to teach weaving! Thank you to all the weavers who came out to learn more about our traditional weaving styles; Gunalcheesh!
