Wood Carving
Displayed here are a few of my carvings, each a mask with a different story. Within my carvings I incorporate many different techniques and materials to produce visually appealing and unique pieces. Materials that can be found in much of my work include Alder, Birch and Cedar woods for carving, roots, barks, animal fur, quills, and feathers. I work with naturally pigmented paints, both natural stain from plants and berries, or acrylic pigments depending on the need of an individual work. I believe in working with as many naturally occurring materials as possible. This ensures my work remains close to traditional carving techniques, and allows me to find new and interesting ways to use the many native elements of Alaska.
Within each mask or carving that I make a story is being told either traditional or contemporary. Other masks are created with the emotions I feel as I begin to work each new piece, allowing the wood to tell me what it wants to become and letting it guide me to completion.
Within each mask or carving that I make a story is being told either traditional or contemporary. Other masks are created with the emotions I feel as I begin to work each new piece, allowing the wood to tell me what it wants to become and letting it guide me to completion.
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Julian MutationsThis colorful and playful mask is a half bear, half raven transformation, lots of spirit and ghosts, the half eye half mouth is a representation of the way that our eyes feed our souls. On the bottom, where the bear snout transforms into a spirit face, is representative of what we ingest into our bodies, and how that helps form who we are physically, which in turn is able to transform what we are in the next plain of existence.
This piece is carved out of Yellow Cedar and incorporates copper and pigment to create the dramatic appearance. |
Scary BearThis mask like many I create was inspired with the thought of traditional dance being the primary method of display. It is worn by my "Brother of the Bear Clan" and is danced by him on a regular basis. Duality is a strong theme in this mask, it has both brown bear and humanistic elements and is smiling and snarling at the same time. The eyes are carved Copper, with Coho salmon being the pattern within the eyes, and the clan crest of my Bear brother's nephew.
Scary Bear is carved from Alder, painted with Acrylic paints, the eyes are Copper, and Human Hair finishes off this piece to increase the humanistic feel. |
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Old WarriorWhen people come back from war, they are never the same as when they left. That is what this mask is showing the viewer. Most of my uncles, brothers and brothers in-law are Veterans. This mask is in honor of them, living proof that through hardship and perseverance, warriors can heal all wounds both physical and mental.
This mask features cedar bark as the hair with the body of the mask being carved out of Alder. |
Porcupine ManPorcupine Man started his life in a bag, under water, allowing the Alder to spalt for 6 months. This transformed the normally pale color of the wood into multi-colored. He is a fully usable mask, with 4 distinct sets of eye holes allowing for a wide range in natural vision. This was the first piece I incorporated Porcupine quills in. It was a painstaking venture, with over 160 holes to align and drill; Porcupine Man was an experiment of love.
Made from Alder wood, Porcupine Quills, Red Cedar bark, Abalone, Copper and Acrylic paints. |
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Keet Kaa (Killer whale man)Keet Kaa has been carved to dance. Carved from Birch, it weighs 8 ounces, and has no straps to connect it to the face. A bite piece behind the mouth is held by the dancers teeth, and used in ceremonial performances.
Made from Birchwood, Copper, and Acrylic paints. |
Pretty Lady
Pretty Lady was originally suppose to be a Frog Dish, I had cured the Black Spruce for 9 months before I started carving. shortly after setting blades to wood, a clear womans face came to the front, not the dish. have always said that the wood wants to be what it wants to be, so I didnt' feel bad when this beautiful face decided to be.
This piece is commonly excepted as a mask, it is a form though, soon, I will have cast her in Cast Iron, Bronze, and Aluminum.
Made from Black Spruce, Red Cedar bark, and Acrylic paint.
Pretty Lady was originally suppose to be a Frog Dish, I had cured the Black Spruce for 9 months before I started carving. shortly after setting blades to wood, a clear womans face came to the front, not the dish. have always said that the wood wants to be what it wants to be, so I didnt' feel bad when this beautiful face decided to be.
This piece is commonly excepted as a mask, it is a form though, soon, I will have cast her in Cast Iron, Bronze, and Aluminum.
Made from Black Spruce, Red Cedar bark, and Acrylic paint.
Moon that Wolf Howls Too
This is a two part mask carved of Birch, and utilizes many native Alaska elements. The backing is constructed of birch bark, carved and bound with Cedar root. Diluted latex paints create the dramatic contrast between the two sides of this mask. Finished with aluminum eyes to represent the moon as the wolf would see it. For additional enlarged photos of this piece click here.
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