I'm enjoying the heat, and when it rains, I'll enjoy that too. There's no sense in complaining about it being too hot, I know that soon enough there will be cold weather to complain about, so I have decided to accept and enjoy our weather!

Every day of the week I have been going to the K'san carving shed and working on two masks. K'san being the historical village/museum site near Hazelton, BC. I have the opportunity to work with Phil Janze, who is the lead carver in this mask project. There are four other carvers (me being one of them) who have been selected to create two Gitxsan masks for a future exhibit, and will be part of the permanent collection for K'san.

One of the highlights of working at K'san again is seeing the visitors and tourists who are generally pleased and happy to be seeing carvers on site! So a big hello to everyone who has stopped in, we love the positive energy you brought with you.

I am really happy with the portrait mask that I have chosen to do. With the chief's (and family's) permission I have used the frog woman's (Haawx) story as inspiration for this woman's portrait. I have taken the liberty of assuming that the woman is a very beautiful, striking woman, (hence the kidnapping of her), and also applied full, luscious lips for the purpose of carving a frog design on her bottom lip. The idea I will be implementing is that this will be a foreshadowing of the events that will soon take over this woman's life.

I hope to be posting photos of this project within a week or two.

I have been thinking about the process in creating traditional design in North West Coast art, If I push for a design, it resists me, if I let it percolate in the back of my mind for days, even weeks, one day I will pick up a pencil and any handy piece of paper whether its a napkin or sketch book, I will start with barely an inkling of an idea and the picture will unfold in front of me. Sometimes I have to work at it, making changes constantly because it just doesn't feel right, and other times its like I focus so intently on following the flow that I'm not aware of time passing, noises around me, or anything that will possibly interrupt. Worries of the day fall away and I'm in another world. When I'm done its like waking up, I blink a few times and refocus on what I just created. It's not finished, it may be full of not so erased marks, some lines even scribbled into shape, but its breathtaking. I can't believe that just came out of me, I see the finished product in my minds eye, whether its a sculpture, stained glass, jewellery, or a painting. This is why I love being an artist, it's being able to surprise myself, I am proud and satisfied by what I create, and if someone else likes it too, I am happy that we can see it together. When I am finished each piece, I have this same feeling, like all is right in the world, and even if its not, then I can still appreciate what I have, I can go outside, put my face to the sun, breath in the fresh air, listen to my children playing with the neighbourhood kids or "working" outside with their dad, and be content.
Have a great day,
Arlene.

I love this time of year! I can sit out on my deck and dream... and the mosquito's aren't an issue yet! I has been so lovely out. I feel like working outside, feeling the breeze and the warmth of the sun and listen to my boys playing street hockey. I am lucky indeed.
For the past few weeks I have been busy socializing, working on a special emerald set ring (almost done!) and getting ready to grave a beautifully designed set of bracelets for a lovely couple who helped me design it. This was a personalized commission with a LOT of input from the couple. I can't wait to see the finished product!
I attended the Freda Diesing Student Art Show and Sale, what a talented group of students! I couldn't leave without a couple of pieces. I want the students to stay inspired and keep creating their traditional art. I also attended the Opening of the longhouse (Wilp Gal Tsap) at the Terrace NWCC Campus. The totem pole raising was really powerful, with support from the local groups, the singing, dancing, and blessing of the poles was an event I will remember forever, congratulations to Titus and Ken, well done on the carving. I also attended the showcase as a former student, I even made a few sales and met some wonderful people who love the native art form as much as I do.
put your face to the sun, breath deep, and enjoy life!
With my best regards,
Arlene

Happy Valentines Day everyone! Well, I gotta say... I wasn't expecting spring to be this early. I know I'm being pretty optimistic. I always can't wait for spring as soon as the holidays are over. After working inside for so long, I stuck my head outside, all bundled up, and was pleasantly surprised by the mild temperatures!  The snow is melting, puddles everywhere, dig out the galoshes.
I was asked to create a special ring, to be ready for Valentines Day, a nice gold ring with a ton of meaning, so everything you see on this ring, there is a reason behind it. The diamond, the wolf design, the mountains and the scenery, and finally the birch bark canoe on the back. I loved working with a wonderful lady to get everything she wanted on this ring, and I'm so happy that she loved the results of our conversations!
I'm going to enjoy the sunshine before heading back inside to work on one of my many projects. I love this time of year, the quality of light is so clear and fresh, the air is crisp and clean, and... to top it all off... there are no mosquitoes yet!

here it is! this pole was replicated based on various photos provided by Nyanna, and also reference pics in the book "Totem Poles of the Gitsxan, Upper Skeena River" by Marius Barbeau. I loved carving this pole, I started out by studying the heck out of the original, I had to get this pole right, since it was a replica. I used Gitxsan style carving on the parts that are obscure. I double checked the porportions, and I tapered the block to reflect the size and original taper on the original pole.

I spent a LOT of time carving the tiny frogs that are over the eyes and coming out the mouth. This was difficult since I usually adjust the eyes until they look right, I adjusted the eyes very carefully, and each time I changed the angle, depth or roundness of the eyes I had to carve around the frog. The important thing about the frog coming out the mouth was to have a continuous line and flow (and angle) under the frog. It took a while, I was being finicky, but I'm happy with the outcome.

this was the ultimate study of one of our local poles! an awesome experience and one I'd like to repeat.