Oct 31, 2012 | Latest Art Projects, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Clarissa drafts her pattern for her first child-size Chilkat robe. It will fit a child from about 2 years to 6 years old, depending on size of kid. It is a robe that can be also used as a dance apron by an adult.
Jennie Thlunaut’s last Chilkat weaving was a child-size robe finished directly before she passed in July 1986. I don’t know why I never thought of weaving a child-size robe, but I got inspired by seeing all these little people dancing on stage at the commemoration of the new cultural center in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory this past June. It was my mother’s birthday; my Mamma was on my mind as I watched these little kids as confident in their dance as any adult I’d ever seen – I know my mother would have enjoyed seeing these kids…then suddenly in my mind’s eye, I saw children in Chilkat robes….! And that was that! In honor of my mother, in honor of those children and their inspiration and in honor of my own grandchildren, I’ve got the borders woven on my very first child-size Chilkat robe! And today I’m finishing up the design!
Oct 29, 2012 | Class Act, Latest Art Projects, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
A canvas spinning pad is strapped to the thigh and moistened to provide friction for spinning Chilkat warp. Yes, the pad was made my Clarissa today while Teahonna split cedar bark and prepared wool to begin spinning her first 100 yards of Chilkat warp!
Oct 25, 2012 | Latest Art Projects, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, To Market To Market |
Close-up beginning a series of mixed-media collage drawings on replaced cabinet doors; the series is called “Tlingit Cabinet” Series
Several years ago, when the way-too-little sewing room got replaced by a cedar sauna, I saved the cabinet doors. Because I cannot stand to throw away perfectly good wood, and these ones where already “framed”, I told myself that “…someday I’ll do some paintings on them…” (even though I hadn’t really painted much except one of the “Painted Ponies” of New Mexico). Finally, after about 10 years storage in the attic, I have begun the series. Again, this style of work is inspired by my collage/painter friend, Cecil Touchon. Partner Dan Shanks prepared the small boards (there are three small ones; three big ones) using acrylic matte medium to glue down sheets from a couple of old books. Then I use a couple of graphite pencils, dark and light with some cinnamon-colored, and do some shading – it’s a lot of fun – and like the rest of the contemporary work that I do, I just never know how it’s gonna turn out! Stay tuned for the completed triptych of this first set of cabinets. – And by the way, if you know of anyone who is remodeling their kitchen, etc., and they are getting rid of cabinets that are in good shape, send those folks my way! Thank you!
Oct 23, 2012 | Class Act, Latest Art Projects, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
The back side of two child-size Chilkat robes side by side on Clarissa’s front porch – yes, it is past mid-October and it’s warm enough to weave! Where are we? Well…the color of the sky is the big give-a-way! We’re NOT in Southeast Alaska…
As I demonstrate on my robe, Crystal learns on hers. It’s the perfect pair. In this way, I don’t weave her experiences – she weaves her own experiences. The weaving looms are quite portable and compact. They were originally designed by my Ex and I years ago; these ones were created by local woodworker, Bill Hill.
Front view showing the borders of the child-size Chilkat robes
Crystal Rogers weaving her Chilkat robe; it is almost ready to begin weaving the design field – how exciting!
Drawing upon other Chilkat robe designs Clarissa has designed laying about her drafting table, Clarissa draws preliminary sketches for Crystal’s Chilkat robe.
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 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 12, 2012 | Latest Art Projects, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, To Market To Market, Tools-of-the-Trade |
Side view of Clarissa’s cell phone cases with the image of her logo which is on her business cards, letterhead, etc. The image is from her mixed-media collage “Tlingit World Series (TWS) #052.”
I have a limited number of cell phone cases available premiering at the Santa Fe Indian market at booth #283PAL on Palace Avenue located between Washington (library street) and Cathedral Street (the street of the infamous Saint Frances Cathedral one block up from downtown Santa Fe Plaza). Santa Fe Indian Market is on Saturday and Sunday, August 18th and 19th.
Front view of Clarissa’s cell phone case; it has two parts, the outside and the rubberized inside — If you cannot make it to the Santa Fe Indian market this year, you may place your order for one of these cell phone covers with Ursala at: ursalarose@gmail.com or you may place an order on my website after September 1st OR if you want to buy it in person, you may at the Alaska Juneau Public Market during Thanksgiving weekend at Centennial Hall in Juneau – my booth will be #29 at the Juneau Arts & Culture Center (Old Armory)
The main reason why I purchased the expensive iPhone is so I can use my new sales device “The Square” enabling me to take visa card payments during any art markets (and anytime for that matter!). It is white and measures about 1″ square, and plugs into the top of your iPhone jack. For those of you who are business owners/artists and have not been exposed to the “Square”, you must check it out on line. It is so cool, you can make a sale anywhere! Check it out!
Aug 8, 2012 | Honoring Others, Latest Art Projects, North Tide, Showing Off |
Vanessa prepares to begin weaving the design field of her child-size Chilkat robe
This blog entry is a continuation of “Vanessa Learns to Chilkat Weave” posted a couple of weeks ago. Vanessa is an apprentice to Clarissa Rizal. She has started on a child-size Chilkat robe and intends to complete it by mid-February 2013 for an annual event in her village on the Nass River.
Clarissa completes design for Vanessa’s Chilkat robe; she translated a button robe image of the design into a Chilkat rendition specifically designed for weaving in the Chilkat style – the design is one of Vanessa’s clan emblem, the Frog Starfish – this is a copyrighted design; it belongs to her clan — we request no one else use this design
A modern “Chilkat template” where the pattern is transferred onto clear transparencies – again, this pattern is copyrighted – it belongs to Vanessa Morgan who clan emblem is the Frog Starfish – we request no one else outside of her clan family use this image
Vanessa begins weaving the top central portion of her design field – notice her “Ravenstail” nails!
To establish her left and right boundaries, Vanessa begins weaving the side faces of her Chilkat robe.
With just a couple of weeks of weaving, Vanessa has completed her robe thus far.
Jul 23, 2012 | Latest Art Projects, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
“Totemic Mosaic 002” – Clarissa’s 2nd of a series of “mosaics – Giclee on canvas painting on board – measures 28″h x 30″w
Just having fun creating this series of “mosaics” that may last who knows how long – most likely as long as I am having fun exploring…! I’m creating these in between other business including teaching Vanessa how to weave Chilkat, ordering supplies and equipment, planning for the Santa Fe Indian Market, planning for a Chilkat Weavers’ Gathering, planning a button blanket making class on Vashon Island, planning, planning, planning….and then of course, having hugs and kisses with granddaughters!
