Click to watch the video (There is Sound)
The drama and bold graphic design in the carvings and paintings of the Great Northwest Coast grabbed my soul, firmly a long time ago. I have been fascinated by the Art of the Pacific Northwest Coast for over thirty years. 1984 was when I started collecting a few masks, and have continued collecting sporadically, ever since. Then, in 1995, I was invited to travel on the Snow Goose, a 65’ cruising boat, carrying about 15 awe struck travelers through the inside passage to Alert Bay, Fort Rupert, Village Island, Blunden Harbor and other towns along the coast. I couldn’t believe I was standing in nearly mythical places I had read about with so much fascination. That was the start of an odyssey of thirteen annual trips up the coast from Washington to Glacier Bay.
With the company of friends, some of whom happened to be scientists and artists, the amount of insight and information to absorb was monumental and life-changing. Carver Scott Jensen was our cultural guide as well as teacher. His enormous knowledge complimented carving classes and slide shows daily. We went to native towns and decaying village sites with fallen houses and monuments, museums and wind-swept, deserted shorelines all with the magnificent primordial backdrop of endless trees, rippling water and snow-capped mountains. We were witnessing the inspirational core of this great artistic vision.
My own interest, but not much experience led me into being the videographer of the trips. Not appointed or enlisted, squinting through the lens was just my way of intently looking and focusing on what there was to see. And there was SO MUCH! That experience along with editing and creating watchable videos from what I saw, made the experiences particularly indelible.
Over time, Northwest Art and Culture have found their way into many parts of my life. Our house is filled with fine examples of Northwest Art, many by Scott. People on those trips have remained the dearest of friends. In my own art and woodwork, Northwest themes keep reappearing and needing acknowledgement. Raven’s Memory is the latest and most comprehensive expression of what I have seen, and continually absorbed through the years.
Much of what is portrayed in the mobile is derived from what we experienced first hand. Much of the faded history can only be accessed through old photos and new books. I have made no attempt to directly employ or copy specific artistic language. That is neither my skill nor my place. I have interpreted what I have seen and learned through my own interests and skills in woodworking to create something completely unique, and uniquely personal.
With the company of friends, some of whom happened to be scientists and artists, the amount of insight and information to absorb was monumental and life-changing. Carver Scott Jensen was our cultural guide as well as teacher. His enormous knowledge complimented carving classes and slide shows daily. We went to native towns and decaying village sites with fallen houses and monuments, museums and wind-swept, deserted shorelines all with the magnificent primordial backdrop of endless trees, rippling water and snow-capped mountains. We were witnessing the inspirational core of this great artistic vision.
My own interest, but not much experience led me into being the videographer of the trips. Not appointed or enlisted, squinting through the lens was just my way of intently looking and focusing on what there was to see. And there was SO MUCH! That experience along with editing and creating watchable videos from what I saw, made the experiences particularly indelible.
Over time, Northwest Art and Culture have found their way into many parts of my life. Our house is filled with fine examples of Northwest Art, many by Scott. People on those trips have remained the dearest of friends. In my own art and woodwork, Northwest themes keep reappearing and needing acknowledgement. Raven’s Memory is the latest and most comprehensive expression of what I have seen, and continually absorbed through the years.
Much of what is portrayed in the mobile is derived from what we experienced first hand. Much of the faded history can only be accessed through old photos and new books. I have made no attempt to directly employ or copy specific artistic language. That is neither my skill nor my place. I have interpreted what I have seen and learned through my own interests and skills in woodworking to create something completely unique, and uniquely personal.