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!
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…!
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 21, 2012 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Dorsal fin of a Killerwhale during the sail from Juneau to Haines, Alaska
Crystal invited me to come with her to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory to meet up with a friend of hers. I knew about the grand opening of the new Cultural Center in Whitehorse, so I took her up on her offer. I had four days to prepare for the trip with lots of deadlines to meet before leaving – it was good incentive to get the stuff done to take a much needed “working vacation” from Juneau’s consistent rainy weather of 45 degrees!
Bow of the MV Matanuska
I anticipated good weather as soon as we would come into Haines’ territory, about three hours north of Juneau. Sure enough, I could see blue skies up ahead!
Crystal Rogers weaves Ravenstail in the cafeteria of the MV Matanuska
Like many Chilkat and Ravenstail weavers of the past 30 years, Crystal Rogers packed up her loom to weave aboard the ferry. Four hours to Haines is ample time to weave a couple of inches!
deck of the MV Matanuska as we pass the lighthouse in Upper Lynn Canal
Pouring rain in Juneau, even just an hour out of Juneau the weather improves! Cloudy but not raining! whooohooo!
Crystal enjoys the cedar bark weaving talents of Heather Callahan's cape
Yukon artist Heather Callahan is a regalia-maker who was on board completing her woven cedar bark cape embellished with dentallium shells, abalone buttons, leather and Hawaiian grasses woven in as well! — you just never know who will be traveling with you on board the Alaskan ferries!
Heather models her cape trimmed with beaver fur
Davidson Glacier in the Chilkat Mountain Range
"Shanks and Rizal" (alias)peaks of the Chilkat Mountain Range
Approaching Haines, Alaska - see the tourship docked in front of Ft. Seward?
Always blue skies in Haines' wake
Crystal catches wild water
Mouth of the Chilkat Valley River
View of the Chilkat River and mountains from a house I would love to buy, or at least rent!
Driivng the highway from Haines, Alaska to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory
Brown Bear on the side of the highway
Black bear on side of highway just a half hour from the brown bear we first saw
Jun 16, 2012 | Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
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
Jan 5, 2012 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Class Act, Honoring Others, Latest Art Projects, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
“Jennie Weaves An Apprentice” Chilkat robe was on my weaving loom for 5 years. I’ve never had a robe take so long in the weaving, however, I’ve never had the kind of journey I’ve experienced in the past 5 years either! The following is a pictoral journey of the life of this robe reflecting the journey of its maker.
Apprentice Bev Morris from Teslin, Yukon Territory and Clarissa begin weaving their Chilkat robes - Pagosa Springs, Colorado - September 2006
Directly after my apprenticeship in Chilkat weaving with 95-year-old Jennie Thlunaut from Klukwan, Alaska, I began designing a Chilkat robe in honor of the gift she had entrusted me with and the 6 weeks we had together in 1986. I had silk-screened a limited edition of the design, painted a “fake” robe for a collector, and the design was also the cover and name of my Chilkat Weaver’s handbook that I printed myself; yet it wasn’t until 20 years later after my apprenticeship with Jennie I had begun weaving the robe in September 2006 upon the arrival of an apprentice from Teslin, Yukon Territory, Bev Morris. I demonstrated Chilkat weaving techniques on my robe while Bev learned on hers.
Chilkat robe at the Auke Bay condo - September 2010
Chilkat robe in my new room at my mother and father's house - November 2010
Chilkat weaving demonstration during Gallery Walk at the Juneau Arts Center - musician/singer/songwriter Archie Cavanaugh and his grandson stopped by for a visit
Chilkat weaving demonstration during the "Time Warp" exhibit of Northwest Coast weavers at the Bill Reid Gallery in Vancouver, B.C. - March 2011
While visiting my daughter and granddaughter in Pagosa Springs, Colorado - April 2011
Many braids and weavers to keep track - common folk wonder about Chilkat weaver's sanity
Rented another apartment for the Summer 2011 - the turquoise couch, the black loveseat and the Chilkat rug (woven in Tibet) were all color-coordinated beautifully - June 2011
Patrice DeAsis and Lily Hope were two of my assistants who helped me complete this robe by its designated delivery date! - June 2011
Close-up of Teacher "Jennie Thlunaut" (in green mask) and "Clarissa" in blue mask
Demonstrating Chilkat weaving at the Teslin Cultural Center's boat building - July 2011
Inside the Teslin Cultural Center's boat building - Chilkat robe is off to the far right - July 2011
Weaving in a perfect room while overnighting at the Skagway Inn - granddaughter Bette Hope enjoys the view! - July 2011
While on return ferry from Skagway to Juneau, Lily Hope and Clarissa weave in the cafeteria - July 31, 2011
In the stateroom on the MV Columbia sail from Juneau to Bellingham - August 2,2011
With fellow Chilkat weaver Nishga'a elder, Louise Dangeli, in th stateroom on board the MV Columbia sail from Juneau to Bellingham - August 4, 2011
Nite weave In Colorado studio - August 11, 2011
Almost complete Chilkat robe on display in Clarissa's booth at the 2011 Santa Fe Indian Market - far right is Ravenstail woven ensemble of "Copper Child" woven by Lily Hope and Clarissa - August 20, 2011
Fellow Chilkat weaver Suzi Williams and Clarissa needle up the ends in the back of Chilkat robe - Sunday morning, August 21, 2011
Although neither Crystal Worl (wearing cedar bark hat) and Beckie Etukeok have never woven Chilkat, they help put up the ends in the back of this Chilkat robe - Afternoon of Sunday, August 21, 2011
"Jennie Weaves An Apprentice" Chilkat robe designed and woven by Clarissa Rizal with help from several of her weaving students - August 22, 2011
Aug 25, 2011 | Honoring Others, Latest Art Projects, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, To Market To Market |
During the Santa Fe Indian Market Sealaska stage, Likoodzi modelled the 4-piece Ravenstail ensemble "Copper Child" (a collaboration of mother and daughter Lily Hope and Clarissa Rizal) and Crystal Rogers modelled "Jennie Weaves An Apprentice" Chilkat robe (hot off the loom) handwoven by Clarissa Rizal
Likoodzi and Crystal smile at a full audience at the Santa Fe Indian Market - August 20-21 - The beaded deerskin dress and hi-top moccasins were made 30 years ago by Kate Waters Boyan for our mother Irene Lampe
Watch the Fashion Show of Northwest Coast Tlingit regalia at Sante Fe Indian Market August 2011 – video courtesy of Lee Cooper
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVrc0iXy9EE>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVrc0iXy9EE
The Chilkat robe pattern board designed by Clarissa Rizal painted on canvas applied to wooden frame - Photo by Lee Cooper
Crystal Worl and Beckie Etukeok assist in putting up the ends in the back of the robe
Close-up of the braid ends in the back of the robe
Crystal Worl and Clarissa put up the ends in the back - photo by Lee Cooper
Clarissa's booth at the Santa Fe Indian Market 2011
St. Frances Cathedral Park the morning after Indian Market - photo by Lee Cooper
Here are three more videos taken by Lee Cooper at the Santa Fe Indian Market 2011:
“Jeanie Weaves an Apprentice” Chilkat robe being taken down from the loom (before completion of putting up the ends in the back) for the Sealaska Heritage Institute’s fashion show of Tlingit regalia 1 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RW6-CPYYIY>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RW6-CPYYIY
Fashion Show of Northwest Coast Tlingit regalia at Sante Fe Indian Market August 2011 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVrc0iXy9EE>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVrc0iXy9EE
The beginning of the flash flood as the completed Chilkat robe is removed from the loom. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuZT4LOU5bc>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuZT4LOU5bc
Aug 1, 2011 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Class Act, North Tide, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Charlene concentrates on beginning the next row - her very first Ravenstail weaving!
While researching the old Chilkat robes in the museums around the Northern Hemisphere, artist/weaver/author Cheryl Samuel also came across the Ravenstail style of weaving. Her first Ravenstail weaving class was held at the Totem Center in Ketchikan, Alaska in November 1989; I attended that first class. Since then, whenever anyone asked me about learning Ravenstail weaving, I’d recommend Cheryl. However, 22 years later, I conducted my very first official Ravenstail weaving class in Teslin, Yukon Territory (Canada) during the week of their cultural “Celebration 2011” July 25 – 30, 2011.
During Teslin's "Celebration 2011" the class had many visitors checking out the weavers' tedious and wonderful work - We wove a small Ravenstail pouch in 3 days
Charlene demonstrates creating the corners to her classmates
Dan Shorty and Charlene Baker with their completed Ravenstail weavings - (I apologize for not having a shot of the entire class with their completed weavings!)
Ainu elder inspects Rose's recently-completed Ravenstail pouch with Wayne and Debra Carlick
During the class, a group of Ainu visitors from Japan were guest performers at Teslin’s Celebration. Although we there was a language barrier, we used lots of gestures and facial expressions to communicate the similarities of our spinning and weaving techniques.
The Ainu spin their warp exactly like ours with two strands of fiber with the exception that they spin in mid-air using their thumbs and we spin our warp on our thigh
Ainu performers from Japan with Cedar bark weaving instructors Debra Carlick (Atlin, B.C.) and Lily Hope (Juneau, AK) and Ravenstail instructor Clarissa Rizal
Jun 22, 2011 | Class Act, Latest Art Projects, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, Tools-of-the-Trade |
With left over Ravenstail warp and yarns, I wove a flexible container that straddles the headboard of my weaving loom, to help organize and keep at hand my weft yarns, scissors, straight pins, tapestry needles, measure tape, etc. - all the important tools to have handy while weaving Chilkat or Ravenstail. If you look closely, you will see the individual containers are cedar bark baskets; one woven by my mother, one woven by my daughter, one woven by a friend and one woven by me.
One of the things that I encourage my weaving students to create in their lives is organization. If we want to be an active Chilkat weaver, and we want to keep our sanity while weaving, we must be organized! If we are not born organized, Chilkat weaving will change that part of ourselves to become organized. And if we fight the requirement of becoming organized, then while weaving, we will spend quite a bit of your time sorting through things, trying to find something that was misplaced or lost, etc. When I am in the flow of creativity, the last thing I want to reach for is a tool that has been misplaced and I have to go searching for it, or untangle something or accidentally break something. This kind of act is quite disrupting to the flow of creativity; I work hard at avoiding distractions when I know I’m going into a creative groove; so I have a clean, organized surrounding. For those of you who are Chilkat weavers, for those who have recently learned Chilkat weaving and for those of you who have seen the actual weaving process, y’all understand what I am talking about!
A view from above the Chilkat weaving loom headboard container - notice most of the yarns are in front, while miscellaneous and extra tools are in the back half of the pouch
Why a “flexible” woven container instead of a rigid, wooden one? So that I can travel with it across town, across the inlet or across the continent. It is light-weight and easily packable – a valuable resource for a weaver in motion.
Stay tuned for future blog entries of additional Chilkat weaving equipment and tools.
Thank you for visiting!
Jul 29, 2010 | Showing Off |
Time Warp is an exciting, exhibit of contemporary textiles of the Northwest Coast hosted by the Bill Reid Gallery in Vancouver, B.C. The exhibit opened on Thursday, July 16th with most of the 20 featured Aboriginal artists in attendance from Alaska, Yukon, British Columbia and Washington State. The Tlingit, Haida and Tsimpshian artists included in the exhibit were: Tracy Auchter, Carrie Anne Vanderhoop Bellis, Delores Churchill, Janice Criswell, Sherri Dick, Lisa Hageman, Lani Hotch, Lily Hudson, Shelly Laws, Victoria Moody, Marie Oldfield, Susan Pavel, Clarissa Rizal, Isabel Rorick, Ann Smith, Debra Sparrow, Lisa Telford, Evelyn Vanderhoop and William White. Many thanks to the curators of the exhibit, Martine Reid (wife to the late, Bill Reid) and Evelyn Vanderhoop, with exhibit coordinator, Kwiaahwah Jones, and much appreciation to all the organizations, foundations and individual’s monetary and voluntary contributions to make this exhibit happen.
I felt this exhibit was quite astounding. I think it is the very first exhibit of contemporary works by prolific and innovative weavers. All of us were fortunate to be a part of this show. While most of the exquisite weavings are Chilkat and Ravenstail ceremonial robes, there are a couple of cedar bark weavings: a Ravenstail cedar robe by Victoria Moody (image used for back cover of exhibit catalogue) and a cedar dress by Lisa Telford (which is the front cover image for the exhibit catalogue), and a perfect spruce root hat by Isabel Rorick. I am allowed to say what my favorite piece in the entire exhibit is because this is my blog: “Berries on Sunshine Mountain” by Lani Hotch – a Ravenstail robe in hand-dyed colors of green, brown, yellow, burgundy and burnt orange, with appliqued “leaves” and hand-made glass beads by John Svenson. I keep an eye out for Lani’s work; she’s an excellent, innovative weaver, with an eye for color, detail and storytelling.
As part of this exhibit, my daughter, Lily Hudson and I, collaborated on a Ravenstail ensemble called “Copper Child”, the offspring of two Chilkat/Ravenstail ensembles I had woven called “Copper Woman” in 2002, and “Copper Man” in 2006. Copper Child’s headdress, robe, and apron was woven by Lily; the tunic was woven my me.
Lily says: “Copper Child shares the story of our upcoming generation of healers scaling mountains for inspiration, while embracing traditions and carving new paths. The healers are symbolized by the black “Shaman’s Eyes” (an original design by Lily) along the top, mountains represented by eight “topographical maps”, and new paths by the single green “map”.
During the opening, David Boxley, Sr.’s dance group, Git Hoan, performed. I had never seen Git Hoan dancers up close until this evening, wow! From afar, I had only seen glimpses of their performances during Celebration in Juneau; I was always too busy to take time to watch. After watching their performances with real hand-carved masks, regalia and accessories, I wished I had made time to watch them before. In the Tsimpshian tradition, they of course, will steal any show! Here’s a video clip of one of their dances:
Time Warp exhibit dates are July 16, 2010 through January 16, 2011. When you are in the Vancouver area during this time period, please stop by the Bill Reid Gallery for this wonderful opportunity to see these fabulous weavings. Obtain your copy of the Time Warp exhibit catalogue at $20; it’s well worth the investment!
