Aug 23, 2014 | Honoring Others, Relationship Overdrive |
Two of my favorite friends who are excellent artists, Preston Singletary (L), Cecil Touchon and I — @ Preston’s annual show during Santa Fe Indian Market, Blue Rain Gallery, Santa Fe, NM — Friday, August 22, 2014– photo by Nisa Touchon
I don’t know why, but I always wanted these two people to meet. Maybe it’s because they are “famous” — maybe it’s because they are almost like two peas in a pod — maybe it’s because one is an Aquarian and the other a Leo…! Guess which is which. Whatever the case, I think I wanted them to meet because they are a couple of my favorite people and this evening during Preston’s annual show opening at the Blue Rain Gallery in Santa Fe, Cecil and his wife, Rosalia and daughter Nisa, showed up! I forgot I had told them about the show opening; I am so happy they came, so happy for these two guys to meet — (don’t ask me why I wanted them to meet, all I know is that I was happy for them to finally meet one another; you ever feel that way about two of your favorite buddies meeting?)…
You may check out Cecil’s paintings and collages at his website: www.ceciltouchon.com
You may check out Preston’s glassblowing at: www.prestonsingletary.com
Aug 8, 2014 | Class Act, Honoring Others, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, To Market To Market |
Louet yarns held in small hand-woven cedar bark baskets – “The Coppers” Chilkat robe limited-edition block print by David Svenson, 1984
The Northwest Coast Weavers Supply (http://nwcoastweaverssupply.com/) online shop has been launched !!! This is THE online source we have all needed! This is our one-stop shop to buy Ravenstail or Chilkat warp and the best commercially-spun 100% merino weft yarns by company-brand “Louet” — NWCoastWeaverssupply.com will also begin carrying looms (for local delivery only), loom bags, no-sap cedar bark (bark is boiled to remove sap for splitting to spin with your wool), merino wool roving, and instruction books. And within the year, nwcoastweaverssupply.com will also offer other items for sale such as cloth covers, tote bags, mugs, greeting cards, warp sticks, embellishment items, etc.
Owned and operated by Lily Hope in Juneau, Alaska, place your order now on line for your weaving projects or classes by clicking here or give Lily a call on her cell at: 907-957-8378
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 !
