Dec 31, 2013 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Relationship Overdrive |
Louis and Lily enjoy the high chair cut short – this high chair is one of two that the father of my children and I made back in 1977. I still have the first one made for our son, Kahlil Hudson; i now use it for my grandchildren – and then a surprise happened; during a baby shower this past Summer 2013, out came this high chair which was bought at an art auction by some friends of the owners, Tom and Sue Custer in Juneau, Alaska for their daughter also born in 1977. I had totally forgotten we had made this other high chair – there are two in the world basically built the same though with different design painted on the chair back!
I have always said and known that I am one of the wealthiest women I know. I’ve lived a rich life; I continue to live a rich life. I didn’t know how rich it would be when I started out with all kinds of dreams at a young age; though now I am old enough to look back upon 57 years of richness.
In a recent conversation with my life-long friend, Margie, we were talking about where we are at now in our lives. She made a statement about me that I didn’t know anyone else had the same observation; she said: “…you live a very full, diverse and rich life…”
I have lived a rich life, though this type of richness has it’s cons. It has not been easy raising three children and a husband on art income. NOT EASY!!!! The struggle of never knowing where your next job is coming from and when, how much money you need to make in order to pay your basic bills, and knowing your worth and how much to charge for your work are really BIG things to deal with on a daily basis.
As a self-employed artist, you NEVER leave your work at the office. Somewhere along the line of being self-employed you realize YOU ARE THE OFFICE!!!
Do not get me wrong, yes, it’s been a very wonderfully rich life, though we pay a price!
I wouldn’t trade places with any other woman I’ve ever met or known. I appreciate the life I’ve been given and have co-created. I would not give it up for the world. Here are a few things I’ve done as a self-employed artist/designer/business woman:
1981-1993 I was a landscape gardener working seasonally April 1st through October 31st – although I did a variety of people’s homes in the Juneau area, my main showcase was Sealaska Corporation plaza downtown.
1977 to present day – self-employed artist in Northwest coast design beginning with carvings under guidance with Peter Bibb in 1972; then silkscreened prints and cards, T-shirts, etc. Then learning Chilkat weaving in 1985 with jennie Thlunaut. Began paintings and collages in 2000 with Cecil Touchon. A student in basketry with Selina Peratrovich and Jennie. I’ve been teaching weaving since 1989 which has led me to all kinds of communities in Alaska, British Columbia and Yukon Territory. Took up glass-blowing with Preston Singletary. Worked with Dave Hunsaker’s and Tim Wilson’s NaaKahidi Theatre 1986-1993 as a set designer, costume and props designer, actress, musician, storyteller, tour and stage manager on stages locally, nationally and internationally.
I’ve done a lot. If you have kept up with my blog, you have read a little bit of what I’ve done since I began my blog in July 2010. that’s only 3.5 years worth of stuff I’ve posted (not to mention the stuff I don’t post).
A mentor once said: “….you can take your art and do what you will…you can be a designer and be rich (with money), or you can be an artist and live a rich life…”
I’ve been an artist with a rich life. Though now I want to ALSO be a designer and be rich with money. I know I can have both. It’s a matter of the know-how to make it happen.
Stay tuned. I’ll let you know if I succeed.
Dec 22, 2013 | Acting Out and Musical Chairs, Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Honoring Others, Latest Art Projects, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Preston’s new band tentatively called “Koo.eex” L to R: Gene Tagaban, Clarissa Rizal, Bernie Worrell, Skerik, Stanton Moore & Preston Singletary
Back in October on a Friday night, out of the blue, I received a text from Preston: “…will you be a back-up singer in my band? We will be recording a CD this coming December.” — “Huh? Like who does he think I am; a singer? What makes him think I can sing? He’s gotta be kidding….” —- So, I didn’t answer him. Four days later on the following Monday I got a call from Preston:
“Well hey, Clarissa, uh,…did you get my text?” —
“Yes.” —
“Uh, well, what do you think? (and like how come you didn’t answer…!?)
“What am I supposed to think? I do not recall ever indicating that I am a singer to nobody, like what makes you think that I can even sing, much less be a back-up singer in a band that is going to record it’s first CD!?”
“Hahaha. Hey I remember those songs you sang around the campfire at the end of the two-week work session completing the glass and wood totem pole at Pilchuck…you blew everyone away…!”
“Preston, that doesn’t count…those were dirty songs…!”
“Yeah, well…it’s how you presented them,…it’s the way you sang. I want that kind of energy in my band…will you join us?”
One of Preston’s bass’
Preston’s first love is music. Not glass blowing. How can I tell? He gets that look in his eyes. It’s that true musician’s look as if they are in another time and place; smiling inside out. I grew up with a musician. I’ve been around musicians. Some of my best friends are musicians and although some don’t necessarily “make a living” creating music, there’s that “way of being”….So for those of you who think Preston is a hot glass blower and that is his first love, you got it all wrong. I don’t care if the dude makes thousands on his work and thousands of art collectors have a piece of his work, his true love is music. Bottom line. — But if you must check out Preston’s glass blowing website: www.prestonsingletary.com
Bernie Worrell on keyboards – check out Bernie Worrell website at: http://www.bernieworrell.com/ This guy is no ordinary keyboard player! He is all over the board!
So Preston gathered together his friends, Gene Tagaban, Skerik and I along with two big name musicians (that at the time I didn’t know were big names), Stanton Moore and Bernie Worrell. For the past eight years, Preston had imagined putting together a jazz/funk rock fusion band to record a CD. He saved up money to do so; this December with the help of us buddies, he made his dream come true. The sound that came out of this band was so fantastic and fun, it blew all of us away! The music had become so much a part of me in just three short days, I barely slept. I began to understand why musicians “move to a different drum.” I began to understand why they stay up late into the wee hours of the morning. I also understand why some become drug addicts or are alcoholics or at least have a stiff drink before they go to bed. IT IS HARD TO GO TO SLEEP AFTER FEELING THE MUSIC IN YOUR BONES AND EVERY NERVE OF YOUR BODY!!! Holy cow!
Gene Tagaban on Native flute, Skerik on sax
Who is that drummer, Stanton Moore? Gawd, the guy can drum. Like I thought my friend D.C. Duncan could drum and for the past 20 years I’ve always enjoyed D.C., but man, this Stanton guy is something else!!! When I got back home after the recording sessions, I saw D.C. and asked him if he knew Stanton Moore. He said “well, hell yeah, I have bought his CD’s and have made myself a better drummer through his instructions over the years, the dude is goooood! The guy is THE drummer of all drummers – like he is #2 in the entire world – Why do you ask?”
Stanton Moore on drums — check out the Stanton Moore Trio on youtube and if you are a drummer or wanna-be-drummer, this is the man to hang with; New Orleans born and bred – check out his website at: www.stantonmoore.com
So, we spent three days improvising songs. A total blast. These songs were based on traditional Native songs of the Northwest Coast; we started out with the chants, then the band would slide on in and take off! It was a honor to play with these guys; thanks for the invite, Preston. I have appreciated every moment in actual time and now in memory!
Preston begins with a traditional tune – notice the child-size Chilkat robe in the background – I’d weave when I wasn’t singing…
Gene Tagaban has definitely made his way in the world with his storytelling and musical talents. I had no idea the extent of his talent until this recording session. He topped off these songs; he added so much depth and meaning. His contributions rounded everything out, like bringing the entire fusion together full circle. These are just my opinions folks, you do not have to believe everything I say here. Just make sure you buy the CD when it comes out by the Fall of 2014; it’s nothing like you’ve ever heard!
Gene Tagaban adds a story of Raven…walking along a beach…check out Gene’s website at: http://www.storytellingraven.com/
- Preston Singletary on bass
Bernie Worrell’s keyboarding hands
After the excitement of the first song the entire band played, Stanton and Bernie vigorously shook hands, honored to play with one another
Skerik on sax – this guy rips — Skerik is an American saxophonist from Seattle, Washington. Performing on the tenor and baritone saxophone, often with electronics and loops, Skerik is a pioneer in a playing style that has been dubbed saxophonics. Check out Skerik’s FB page at: https://www.facebook.com/skerik
In the sound room, Gene Tagaban, Bernie Worrell and Preston Singletary listen to the second day’s improv recordings
Sound engineer, Randall at the 1969 “board”
In the dining room kitchen, sound technicians and band members share home-made squash pie and baked apples hosted by Stuart, the owner of the “Avante!” recording studio – YUM!
Dinner at the Bitterroot Restaurant
After a fine day and night of playing together, and sharing a late dinner, Bernie Worrell and Preston Singletary share a bench and a smoke already reminiscing the “old days”…and the next project!
Nov 28, 2013 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Health and Wellness |
“The Amazing Liver & Gallbladder Flush” by Andreas Moritz – My library consists of topics on art (mostly Northwest Coast art of course), philosophy, gardening and alternative health – Order this book online via my Amazon Associate account by clicking here.
I include a “Health and Wellness” section on my blog for the very reason that when we keep our bodies healthy, we can continue to create art, teach classes and “run with the wolves!” I am a seeker and practitioner of what is called “alternative health” – I tend to choose the less invasive, non-violent, cost-effective methods of healing. I will seek doctor’s diagnosis but generally do not take their remedies. I am the steward of my own body and its health. Again, I share with you another technique of “weaving a healthy fabric” to assist our well-being!
A few years ago I learned that if I want my car to live a long life, change the oil and filter every 3000 miles. Doggone if this ain’t true! This year I learned that if I want to live a long, healthy life, clean the “filters” of my body once or twice a year. These filters are mainly the liver and gallbladder, and of course, the kidneys too. Last night/this morning I completed my liver/gallbladder flush; it is a good way to begin my Thanksgiving weekend. The cleanse was painless; I feel clean with better clarity. I have been experiencing other symptoms I won’t name here, and I will keep tabs the next few days and weeks to see if those symptoms vanish. I feel no pain in my liver or gallbladder. I am thankful for the information from medical practicioner and writer of the book Andreas Moritz, and I am thankful for being brave enough to follow through with the cleanse. I am thankful my body co-ooperated and I actually survived this cleanse! hahaha! I feel happy! Truly a Happy Thanksgiving!
For the past four years my liver and gallbladder have been giving me pain. A Juneau doctor said I could get rid of the pain in one afternoon’s operation via laser. I told him that I wanted to keep my gall bladder, thank you very much, to which he was surprised (what? A patient wouldn’t take his remedial advice!?) I changed my already-pretty-clean diet a bit more to avoid the pain, though now and then if I drank or ate the wrong foods, I would feel pain. Then a month ago, I came across this book; it’s changed the way I think about my internal organs. Really, for the first time in my life, I AM ACTUALLY ACKNOWLEDGING THEIR FUNCTION AND EXISTENCE!!! I am actually giving them REAL POSITIVE ATTENTION!!! I have come to recognize and appreciate these things that allow me to LIVE! HELLO!?
I am going to order at least 10 copies of this book for Christmas gifts to those closest to me: “The Amazing Liver and Gallbladder Flush: A Powerful Do-It-Yourself Tool to Optimize Your Health and Wellbeing” (My father’s birthday is today; he would have been 84. His gall bladder was removed when he was 50. I wonder how much longer he would have lived if he had known about this cleanse years ago, because he sure didn’t want to go when he went!)
In this revised edition of his best-selling book, the Amazing Liver Cleanse, Adreas Moritz addresses the most common but rarely recognized cause of illness – gallstones congesting the liver. Twenty million Americans suffer from attacks of gallstones every year. In many cases, treatment merely consists of removing the gallbladder, at the cost of $5 billion a year. But this purely symptom-oriented approach does not eliminate the cause of the illness, ad in many cases, sets the stage for even more serious conditions. Most adults living in the industrialized world, and especially those suffering a chronic illness such as heart disease, arthritis, MS, cancer or diabetes, have hundreds if not thousands of gallstones (mainly clumps of hardened bile) blocking the bil ducts of their liver.
This book provides a thorough understanding of what causes gallstones in the liver and gallbladder and why these stones can be held responsible for the most common diseases so prevalent in the world today. It provides the read with the knowledge needed to recognize the stones and gives the necessary, do-it-yourself instructions to painlessly remove them in the comfort of one’s home. It also gives practical guidelines on how to prevent new gallstones from being formed. The widespread success of The Amazing Liver and Gallbladder Flush is a testimony to the power and effectiveness of the cleanse itself. The liver cleanse has led to extraordinary improvements in health and wellness among thousands of people who have already given themselves the precious gift of a strong, clean, revitalized liver.
Andreas Moritz is a Medical Intuitive and practitioner of Ayurveda, Iridology, Shiatsu and Vibrational Medicine. Author of The Amazing Liver and Gallbladder Flush, Timeless Secrets of Health and Rejuvenation, Lifting the Veil of Duality and It’s Time to Come Alive. Founder of the innovative healing systems, Ener-Chi Art and Sacred Santemony – Divine Chanting for Every Occasion.
I intend on living a long life, so help me God – a healthy, long life! I will avoid illness of whatever type so I can have my freedom to be mobile with a clean body, mind and heart. I still have a dream to fulfill and I intend to grow up with my grandchildren and spend whatever time I have left with my great-grandchildren.
I intend to keep the filters in my body clean for a long-running engine!
Order this book online via my Amazon Associate account by clicking here.
Sep 20, 2013 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Honoring Others, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Glass Tlingit “Baskets” by Preston Singletary
Directly after the retreat with Sue Shotridge and Melissa Rinehart, Sue and I went to visit our friend, Preston Singletary. For those of you who don’t know Preston yet, he’s that artist who does the Native designs on glass. He’s got a studio in Seattle equipped with lots of glass forms stuffed in shelves, boxes for shipping, packing material and 5 employees. The guy and his team really produce! Holy! — If you are interested in doing glass, go talk to the man. Click her to check out his website!
Preston’s studio is nearby Seattle’s Space Needle
David Svenson is another fantastic artist, working mainly in neon art living down in the mountains above L.A. – He used to live in my beloved Haines, Alaska back in the early 70s and 80s where he learned how to carve from the old masters, Leo Jacobs, Johnny Avatok and another elder whose name just slipped my tongue, dang it! Back in the early 80’s David suggested to Preston that he begin to put the Native designs on glass – that’s the story I heard, but ask the fellows to get the sure story because I may be wrong.
Sandwiched between two favorite buds: Preston and David
What can I say about these three artists above? Birds of a feather flock together. I didn’t really GET that saying until I had a lovebird years ago. My Lovebird “Kiwi” taught me many things about being human; get that…it took a bird to teach me about being human. Hmmm…go figure.
Shelves of glass forms by Preston Singletary waiting to be completed
I wasn’t sure how Preston’s employees would feel about me taking photos of them while they were working so I didn’t. I don’t even know how Preston feels about me posting photographs of his unfinished work on my blog in this public forum yet who gets to see art in their “naked” stages(?) nobody; I better contact him and see if it is okay to show them “naked”, incomplete. I am proud of this guy; I feel like he’s my younger brother. He’s got quite the dedicated group of folks; he’s a fortunate man to have these crew members. In fact, I gotta say that I am generally proud of my fellow artists! They have taken the leap into the “unknown” possibilities of bountiful possibilities and realities!
Sue Shotridge, David Svenson and Clarissa – in Preston’s studio
David Svenson and the glass Bear
Sep 14, 2013 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Class Act, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Balls of Chilkat warp and bundles of split cedar enjoy a great view from the upper deck of the KVI Beach House in Vashon Island, Washington State
While standing inside the dining room window, I shot this image of Melissa and Sue – two strong-willed, organized, power-packed women who are still busy doing business while we make an effort to relax at this wonderful beach house retreat!
Sue Shotridge insisted that she, Mellisa Rinehart and I take a two-day retreat to this wonderful beach house on Vashon. She INSISTED and she was PATIENT with my initial responses of “what for…?” She had to explain that I was an extreme “Type A” personality who after taking a three-month weaving tour at my age, needed a break. She also needed a break and she wanted to talk with Melissa and I about the logistics of hosting a week-long weaving retreat next year in September at this beach house. We relaxed while doing business. What a wonderful concept! I intend on conducting business this way more often!
Melissa and Sue take photos while heading down the hillside to the beach (just a couple of stones throw away from the house)…
KVI Beach House – from the beach
close up of KVI Beach House – from the beach…
Clarissa demonstrates to Melissa how to split and prepare the wool roving for spinning with cedar bark to create Chilkat warp
I taught Melissa how to spin her own warp so that a year from now when we do the weaving retreat, she will have enough warp to do a large project or several small ones. We spun while Sue took notes planning the weaving retreat.
Clarissa demonstrates how to groom balls of warp to Melissa, an attentive student indeed!
- A perfect stage for relaxing while spinning warp for our next weavings…!
Check out more photos and information of the KVI Beach House at: http://www.vrbo.com/408415
Stay tuned for an announcement about the Northwest Coast Weavers Retreat. Space is limited; first come first serve. We are gonna have a blast!
Sep 10, 2013 | Acting Out and Musical Chairs, Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Health and Wellness, Showing Off |
The “Bromley” hanging out on a Spruce in the middle of a blueberry patch – Hoonah, Alaska
Who would post a blog entry about a hat? Me, because, because…uh, because…I am what you call an “artist.” —- I gotta tell ya: These leather hand-made hats are from the company “Head N’ Home” in California; they are expensive yet well worth every dollar – There are all types of styles; this one is called the “Bromley”. I chose this one because it didn’t have a wide brim; I can still see the sky, yet my face is protected from the sun, rain and wind. I’ve used this hat in all four seasons, surprisingly keeps my head warm and dry and brings out the “equestrian rider” in me; like I can “ride” any “terrain” in this world and keep myself “high and dry!”
I encourage you to check out their website: http://www.headnhome.com/
Sep 8, 2013 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Honoring Others, North Tide, Showing Off |
Childrens’ “Bogs” at the beach
I cannot remember the first time I saw those colorful, clunky, rubber boots called “Bogs” but for sure it was up in Juneau, the rain country. The brand name of Bogs most likely comes from the fact that these boots are worn where there’s an unlimited supply of water; that would be Southeast Alaska! There are even Bogs for children, even itty bitty children who are just able to walk, and of course, once little ones learn how to walk, they are vulnerable to wet weather just like we are, but even more so because they are closer to the puddles since they are shorter; see?
Little kid’s bogs next to the latest in Bog style; I call it “Spider Woman’s Bogs!”
I have never desired to wear Bogs – they are too colorful, too bulky and too heavy and I don’t want to be wearing something that suggests that there must be a lot of wet weather. Let’s say I am in denial of all the rain in Southeast Alaska! I won’t wear a raincoat; have never owned one. I won’t use an umbrella; though I’ll use one in Colorado, and I’ve never worn those brown rubber boots that everyone else has worn in Southeast Alaska for at least 50 years! Nope, not me.
Wore my bogs while blue berry picking up a mountainside in Haines, Alaska
But then one day, I walked into Shoefly shoe store in Juneau and there were these weird-looking, up-to-the-knee boots with a herring-bone pattern; they came in red and black. I was actually in the market for a pair of “normal” shoes since all I have are either boots or sandals, nothing in between. Oh well, I tried on these boots and they are like waterproof, thinly-insulated, high-top moccasins! So dang comfortable that there’s no such thing as “breaking them in.” I bought them specifically for the wet weather on beaches, in the woods, up the trails, rocky pathways and of course, in the bogs! That’s right. These are the truly remarkable, light-weight, stylish “Bogs in Alaska Bogs!”
“Spider Woman Bogs” fishing in Hoonah, Alaska
Go get yourself a pair at $110. They have inspired me to get my muscles back into shape because I just love walking in them. They’ve got good grip for boat decks, keep you feet dry no matter what, and golly, I’ve been mistaken for Spider Woman on occasion, and I kinda like being incognito for awhile!
“Spider Woman’s bogs” amongst the skunk cabbage while on the way to nagoon berry patch
In the back of the truck riding through the Hoonah mountain side looking for more berries – notice the bag of blueberries at the left foot of “Spider Woman’s bogs”…
Sep 3, 2013 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, North Tide, To See or Not to See |
Humpback whale in Hoonah harbor
After anticipations to teach a weaving class in Hoonah were postponed until next year, I figured I would not be visiting Hoonah during this Summer’s weaving tour – however, a few days before Labor Day, my friend Margie mentioned that she wanted to go to Hoonah, and without a beat I exclaimed “When?…Let’s go!” We made acommodation arrangements with our mutual friend, Darlene and we were on!
Margaret waits at the dock
I cannot remember when I took a vacation on Labor Day weekend, or if I had ever done one in the past at all! Golly! After Margie and I spent the previous week picking berries and preparing them for winter, we jumped the ferry to Hoonah! Yaaaaah! We are going after fish and berries!
MV Talatche docked at Hoonah Harbor – it’s for sale
Like all Southeastern Alaska towns, there are various shades of gray: gray green, gray blue, gray white, gray black, gray yellow,…gray this and that mixed in with a bit of color here and there – the following photos will show you a hint of our color scheme here in our beloved “north country”….
Bull whips mingle amongst the kelp and seaweeds
On our way….
The dock at low tide…
Discovering color…
Darlene heads us out towards Icy Straits
Depth finder and reel
Fishing comrade…
Removing hook from the Coho…
Heading home….(notice the red bogs; Spider Woman!)
Boat 1
Boat 2
Thank you Darlene for taking us out fishing and driving around the mountain sides searching for big blueberries! We had a great time even if it did rain all weekend! We Alaskans know that if we waited for good weather to do anything, nothing would get done! We are born with the color gray!
Boat 3
We brought home the salmon, marinated the strips overnight in a special “Filipino-influenced” brine, ready for the smoker!
Favorite part of smoking salmon is packing the jars before the water bath.
Sep 1, 2013 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Honoring Others |
Two favorite books of late: “The Boreal Gourmet” by Michelle Genest and “The Boreal Herbal by Beverly Gray (notice “Spider Woman’s Bogs”)
“The Boreal Gourmet” – Adventures in Northern Cooking is a fabulous book for anyone living in the North like Yukon and Alaska. “Hilarious, big-hearted writing about food gathering and cooking adventures on Canada’s boreal frontier, Michele Genest mixes her experience of international cuisine with big love for local ingredients to create receipes that make you want to pull on gumboots and head north. This book is truly Yukon Gold!” – Margaret Webb, author of Apples to Oysters
“The Boreal Herbal”: wild food and medicine plants of the North is an indispensable guide to identifying and using northern plants for food and medicine. With the Boreal Herbal you will learn how to soothe pain with willow, staunch bleeding with yarrow, treat a urinary-tract infection with bearberry, and create a delicate and uplifting skin cream from sweetgrass. Also included are dozens of healty and delicious recipes, including Wild-weed Spanakopita, Dandelion Wine, and Cranberry-mint Muffins.”
I use both books as cross-references. For the past 10+ years, ever since I canned apricots and blackberries in my portable outdoor kitchen directly after my classes at Pilchuck School of Glass, I have had the notion that I will spend 4 to 6 months harvesting food starting up in Yukon and working my way down through Southeast Alaska, British Columbia and Washington State, Oregon, Montana, California, etc. then head back to Colorado to spend the Winters with my loot of foods put up for winter; every time I pull out a jar of smoked salmon, or dried apricots, or fix a cup of Labrador tea, I have the memories and joyful feelings of harvesting the bounty from the land and sea. This type of experience, in my opinion, is a wholistic way of life. Our spirituality, mentality and physical bodies are experienced as one; no separation. I discovered that Michele and her husband Hector (amongst many other Yukonians), do this type of journey every Summer. I intend on doing this too, soon. Real soon. And in conjunction with teaching Chilkat weaving wherever I am.
Michelle serving up sourdough pancakes with low-bush cranberries; her husband Hector (in the white hat) converses with a “customer”
While in Atlin, B.C. during their annual music festival, I took a jaunt on foot around town and while heading back to our weavers’ demo tent, I saw a crowd of people standing around a long table set up on the side of a road. They were all chomping down happily and talking while they ate, obviously enthusiastic about what they were eating. So I walked over to them and noticed hand-made mushroom raviolis and cranberry pancakes being served. I said: “hey, cool,…what’s going on…is there some kind of celebration?” And immediately the woman responded: “oh, hello, Clarissa…how’s it going…good to see you again!” It was Michele Genest. I had met her a month prior on the MV Matanuska ferry heading to Skagway. She was checking out our weaving looms on board – and I remember her saying she wasn’t much of an artist except that she was an avid cook and a writer. ——- It’s a small world.
Aug 23, 2013 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Class Act, North Tide, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
L to R: Clarissa Rizal, Teahonna James, Vanessa Morgan, Crystal Rogers, and local beginner weaver Stefanie Sidney from Whitehorse
Last Summer/Fall 2012, three apprentices learned a bit of weaving in my studio in Colorado: Vanessa Morgan from Kincolith, Nass River B.C., Crystal Rogers from Juneau, Alaska, and Teahonna James from Durango, Colorado, her family originally from Klawock, Alaska. We talked about meeting up again; this time we’d meet in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory beginning with the Adaka Festival mid-June 2013 – (click here to see blog entry on the Adaka Festival). During the festival, there is a Northwest Coast Native Art Exhibit that is shown only during the length of the one-week festival (click here to see parts of the exhibit). Included in the exhibit were two Ravenstail robes, a child-size 4-piece Ravenstail dance ensemble and one Chilkat robe. These woven ceremonial regalia were part of the “Weavers’ Dance” (click here to see this blog entry).
The purpose of our weaving tour: to recognize, acknowledge and support local weavers of the community, share our knowledge with local weavers of all experience levels within the community, inspire and secure the next generations of weavers, create a network of weavers wherever they live, educate the general public about Chilkat weaving, and to simply weave together!
Two maps and a calendar grace the walls above Clarissa’s loom in the Weavers’ apartment; one is a map of the Northwest Coast and the other a map of Yukon Territory – please take notice of the “money” chair; this particular sits on a her money! heeeeeheeeee!
We financed this tour out of our own individual pockets; no funding came from elsewhere. We did this tour because we were inspired to weave, travel and because we knew there were other weavers out there who wanted our support and wanted us to come visit. We started our weaving tour in Whitehorse, Yukon during the Adaka Festival weaving class taught by Ann and myself (click here to see photos and story); we rented a Yukon College campus two-bedroom, fully-furnished apartment for the four of us; each splitting the rent and each bringing a mound of food – though Crystal and Teahonna brought more pots and pans and spices and cooking utensils.
Table and floor looms, along with spinning warp supplies and a sewing machine to sew up spinning pads, define this particular space as a weaver’s nest!
We took turns cooking meals and keeping the place half-way decent; but we mostly wove on our projects. I gave instruction now and then when needed, and we each set our own hours. There was a drawback for most of us: no cell phone service (though my Verizon service was excellent), however, we were lucky that we had occasional internet service.
Crystal Rogers puts in the braids for her eyebrows of her child-size Chilkat robe
During our almost 4-week “residency” in Whitehorse, we invited any of the beginning students from the Chilkat and Ravenstail weaving class taught by Ann Smith and myself, held at the Adaka Festival to come on by and weave with us (you may check out the weaving class blog entry by clicking here.) Alas, only two local women showed up. The others were busy fishing, berry-picking, etc. – we cannot blame them; they were doing the important stuff like putting up food for winter!
Teahonna spins Chilkat warp
During our month in Whitehorse, we used this apartment as our home base as we took a weekend trip to the Atlin Music Festival in Atlin, B.C., just a 2-hour drive from Whitehorse. We were invited by Louise Gordon, a member of the Wolf Clan, to her hometown of Atlin, to demonstrate Chilkat and Ravenstail weaving during the Atlin Music Festival, July 12-14. Check out the blog entry on our weekend jaunt to Atlin by clicking here.
Teahonna splits cedar bark
At the end of our stay in our “luxury” on campus apartment in Whitehorse, we attended Teslin’s “Kus Te Yea – Celebration 2013” event held July 26-28. Again we were invited to demonstrate weaving during this wonderful 3-day event. Check out the blog entry of our own “weaving cabin” during Teslin’s Celebration by clicking here.
The washed warp is tightly-stretched around the back of a wooden chair to dry
Directly after Teslin’s Celebration, we drove down to Skagway and caught the ferry to Haines, Alaska where we were hosted by Lee Heinmiller at the Alaska Indian Arts and we demonstrated weaving at the Sheldon Museum July 30-August 1st. Check out the blog entry of our visit at the Sheldon Museum in Haines by clicking here.
Click here to read the poem Wayne Price wrote in honor of our mentor, the late Jennie Thlunaut and in honor of our dedication to the preservation and perpetuation of Chilkat weaving
Our weaving tour did not quite “end” in Haines; even now I cannot say that our tour has ended – it’s an on-going adventure. Vanessa was called home to help with her daughter’s birth of a child (and she will host Crystal who is intending to visit Vanessa and the Nass River for the first time); by ferry, Crystal headed to Prince Rupert, B.C. to meet up with weaver Megan O’Brien; Teahonna ferried to Klawock, Alaska to attend the Klawock Totem Raising, attend a family reunion and met up with weaver Suzi Williams; and I have done and am doing a number of things (i.e. a student during the Jineit Academy’s artist-in-the-schools teacher’s training Aug. 5-9, (click here to read the blog entry on the artists and teachers); picked lots of nagoon berries (click here to see those wonderful berries); hung out with grandchildren and my daughter; a part-time clerk at friend Jan Parrish’s Aurora Healing store located one door up North Franklin Street from Hearthside Books in downtown Juneau (click here for link to Jan’s Alaskana Botanicals); and, helped Juneau weaver Catrina Mitchell start her Ravenstail weavings (you may click here to read that blog entry.)
Vanessa weaves her eyelids
Next? We are then planning a tentative journey to the Toadlena Trading Post in the Chuska Mountains about 30 miles southwest of Shiprock, New Mexico. For over 10 years, Mark Winter, Navajo rug “expert” hosts the Navajo weavers’ “Spinning and Carding Day” the third weekend in September. This is the one day of the year where most if not all of the Navajo weavers in the Two Grey Hills area gather together and begin to prepare the wool for the following winter’s weaving projects. (Click here to find out more info on the Toadlena Trading Post.)
In previous visits on this day, when we have shared our cross-cultural weaving knowledge, we learned that the Navajo and Chilkat weavers had something in common: we use the same type tool to spin our weft yarns called the “drop spindle.” We do not use the small drop spindle, we use the longer one where the post of the drop spindle measures from our knee to the floor. So to enable us to eventually spin our own weft yarns of mountain goat, we want to learn from the Navajo weavers how to use this particular drop spindle. We are excited to learn this from another indigenous tribe, whose sense of humor is much like ours.
An outline on the white board enables each of us to help reach our goals – down below there is a drawing of how to weave the perfect circle…
Where will be weaving this Winter? Well, we will spend the Fall in Colorado because it is beautiful, and come Winter, well…that’s still yet to be determined. Maybe we “Alaska Girls” (as the Canadians call us), will go to Mexico and do a cross-cultural exchange there to learn about dyeing weft yarns, or meet up with the Maori weavers and share weaving techniques. The “book” is wide open. Who knows where we will really be in the next month!
Sometimes we shuffle from one “work station” to another – (i.e. weaving loom, to splitting warp or wool, to spinning warp, to baking bread to making dinner, to hanging out on the deck, etc.)
If you are interested in sponsoring us in your community, contact any one of us, and let’s go from there. Our tentative plans for next Summer are: directly after Celebration 2014 (June 11-13) in Juneau, Alaska, we will head up to Whitehorse for the annual “Adaka Festival – A celebration of Yukon’s diverse and distinctive First Nation’s arts and culture” where we hope to teach another Chilkat/Ravenstail weaving class during the week.
Vanessa, Clarissa and Ann
After Yukon, we will head to the coast of British Columbia to the towns of Terrace, Kincollith on the Nass, Prince Rupert, Alert Bay, Masset and Haida Gwaii. We want to network and work with weavers of these communities. We would like to spend at least 3 days up to a week at each community. Our intentions are the same as above: to recognize, acknowledge and support local weavers of the community, share our knowledge with local weavers of all experience levels within the community, secure the next generations of weavers, create a network of weavers, bring Chilkat weaving appreciation to the general public, and to simply weave together!
We noticed that sunsets in Whitehorse in the peak of Summer take about hours to set, but not really cuz the sun just swings itself back up into the sky, so what do weavers do on their breaks? They take photographs of lingering sunsets!
We will be looking for funding sources to assist with our travel expenses (gas, food, lodging, ferry fare). If you would like to assist in whatever way you know you can help, please contact either one of us (Stefanie, Crystal, Vanessa, Teahonna, Clarissa). We appreciate your assistance!
Ann instructs Teahonna on the next technique…
Weavers burn a lot of calories – thinking takes a lot of energy, so one of the things that is very important to us is that we eat well…here we see the sponge-method bread rising in a bowl and salad makings off to one side to go along with our salmon frying on the stove. oh yum, when we were done with our tour, did we gain weight or what!?
Having a sunny deck helps “get us out of the house” while we are still working – here Vanessa spins the warp for her child-size robe’s side braids….
Local Whitehorse beginner weaver, Stefanie receives help from both sides, Vanessa and Crystal
Securing our next generation of weavers: Crystal Rogers, Lily Hope, Stefanie Sidney
