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Functional Yup'ik Story Masks
Peace Within
Currently Avaialable
We carry ancient prayers within us, prayers from our forefathers reaching back to the beginning. Cries of the heart that bridge time, bridge relationships, bridge the human condition. I once heard we are a reflection of the Creator who freely gives us favor and blessings, who enables us to become ‘real human beings’. This functional Yupik dance mask tells the story of a heart healed through forgiveness and grace, both within ourselves and to those around us.
This is a place I have been seeking after this past year, through both hardship and joy. May this artwork be an encouragement to continue the deep works within, so that others would experience peace through you.
A beautiful extension of my heritage, designed to be traditionally worn by a dancer using a ‘bite’ rather than head straps. Long ago, when they would bend down and retrieve the mask without their hands to help them, it was said…’it’s as if they have transformed!” This work has been hand carved in the tradition of my forefathers, the people of the Bering Sea.
Dimensions: 19"x21"x5.5"
Materials: Spruce Wood, Basswood, Feathers, Synthetic Sinew, Milk Paint, and Rare Earth Pigments (gathered from Nelson Island and the Yukon River, Alaska; applied using ancient technique passed down)
Created 2021
We carry ancient prayers within us, prayers from our forefathers reaching back to the beginning. Cries of the heart that bridge time, bridge relationships, bridge the human condition. I once heard we are a reflection of the Creator who freely gives us favor and blessings, who enables us to become ‘real human beings’. This functional Yupik dance mask tells the story of a heart healed through forgiveness and grace, both within ourselves and to those around us.
This is a place I have been seeking after this past year, through both hardship and joy. May this artwork be an encouragement to continue the deep works within, so that others would experience peace through you.
A beautiful extension of my heritage, designed to be traditionally worn by a dancer using a ‘bite’ rather than head straps. Long ago, when they would bend down and retrieve the mask without their hands to help them, it was said…’it’s as if they have transformed!” This work has been hand carved in the tradition of my forefathers, the people of the Bering Sea.
Dimensions: 19"x21"x5.5"
Materials: Spruce Wood, Basswood, Feathers, Synthetic Sinew, Milk Paint, and Rare Earth Pigments (gathered from Nelson Island and the Yukon River, Alaska; applied using ancient technique passed down)
Created 2021
Inner Strength - The Ptarmigan Who Got Away
Anchorage, Alaska
The story unfolds on a cold winter day over 30 years ago. Hunting beside Pederson Point lake, along the shore between the mouths of the two great rivers, the Naknek and the mighty Kvichak, in Bristol Bay Alaska.
Laying on the snow downwind of a group of Ptarmigan who were eating willow buds, I took the shot. All but one of the birds fled, ‘junk shells…’ I thought to myself in frustration. As I peered through my rifle's scope, I realized a single pellet had skinned his forehead right down the middle! Yet the bird held his ground and looked directly into my eyes…and his gaze unnerved me. As this single Ptarmigan stood in stoic defiance, I thought, ‘he has not given himself to me, I cannot take this bird’, a few more moments passed, he turned, then he slowly walked back through the willows to rejoin his group.
We crossed paths again roughly two weeks later, and once again I let him and his group go…and once again that particular Ptarmigan with his scarred forehead met my eye. To this day I imagine he passed on this encounter to his brood…
This story mask pays homage to the character of inner strength displayed through Creation. Today it serves as a remembrance for me, and a token of gratitude for the lessons I’ve learned over the years hunting Ptarmigan along the shores of my homeland.
Dimensions:: 15" x 15" x 5"
Materials: Basswood, Spruce Wood, Cherry Wood, Feathers, Porcupine Quill, Glass Beads, Synthetic Sinew, Soapstone, Brass Casing, Milk Paint, Gouache Paint, Rare Earth Pigments (personally gathered from the Yukon River, Alaska)
Created 2022
The story unfolds on a cold winter day over 30 years ago. Hunting beside Pederson Point lake, along the shore between the mouths of the two great rivers, the Naknek and the mighty Kvichak, in Bristol Bay Alaska.
Laying on the snow downwind of a group of Ptarmigan who were eating willow buds, I took the shot. All but one of the birds fled, ‘junk shells…’ I thought to myself in frustration. As I peered through my rifle's scope, I realized a single pellet had skinned his forehead right down the middle! Yet the bird held his ground and looked directly into my eyes…and his gaze unnerved me. As this single Ptarmigan stood in stoic defiance, I thought, ‘he has not given himself to me, I cannot take this bird’, a few more moments passed, he turned, then he slowly walked back through the willows to rejoin his group.
We crossed paths again roughly two weeks later, and once again I let him and his group go…and once again that particular Ptarmigan with his scarred forehead met my eye. To this day I imagine he passed on this encounter to his brood…
This story mask pays homage to the character of inner strength displayed through Creation. Today it serves as a remembrance for me, and a token of gratitude for the lessons I’ve learned over the years hunting Ptarmigan along the shores of my homeland.
Dimensions:: 15" x 15" x 5"
Materials: Basswood, Spruce Wood, Cherry Wood, Feathers, Porcupine Quill, Glass Beads, Synthetic Sinew, Soapstone, Brass Casing, Milk Paint, Gouache Paint, Rare Earth Pigments (personally gathered from the Yukon River, Alaska)
Created 2022
Decorative Wall Art
'Cousin' - Owl Family Series
Owl Maskette Wall Art
I loved playing hide and seek with my cousin as a boy. This playful owl is peeking out of his home in the tree, happy to see his family.
Designed as wall art for smaller spaces, it depicts Owl from the perspective of the ancient art form of the Yup'ik Eskimo Story Mask. A contemporary version of its larger cousins, the full size function mask.
Materials: Basswood, Birch Wood, Feathers, Reindeer Fur, Synthetic Sinew, Milk Paint, Stain,
Paper, Ink
Measurements: 12” x 12” x 2”
Created in 2018
Commissioned - Alaska
I loved playing hide and seek with my cousin as a boy. This playful owl is peeking out of his home in the tree, happy to see his family.
Designed as wall art for smaller spaces, it depicts Owl from the perspective of the ancient art form of the Yup'ik Eskimo Story Mask. A contemporary version of its larger cousins, the full size function mask.
Materials: Basswood, Birch Wood, Feathers, Reindeer Fur, Synthetic Sinew, Milk Paint, Stain,
Paper, Ink
Measurements: 12” x 12” x 2”
Created in 2018
Commissioned - Alaska
Owl Family Series 'Brothers'
Owl Maskette Wall Art
Designed for smaller spaces, these mischief Owls depict the ancient art form of the Yup'ik Eskimo Story Mask.
The body of each maskette is approximately 3 1/2" x 4 1/2". The mount 7" x 12" with plumage extending out to an overall area of 13" x 13".
Materials: Basswood, Birch Wood, Feathers, Reindeer Fur, Synthetic Sinew, Milk Paint, Paper, Ink
Created in 2018
Commissioned - Alaska
Designed for smaller spaces, these mischief Owls depict the ancient art form of the Yup'ik Eskimo Story Mask.
The body of each maskette is approximately 3 1/2" x 4 1/2". The mount 7" x 12" with plumage extending out to an overall area of 13" x 13".
Materials: Basswood, Birch Wood, Feathers, Reindeer Fur, Synthetic Sinew, Milk Paint, Paper, Ink
Created in 2018
Commissioned - Alaska
Functional Yup'ik Dance Fans
Commissioned Awards
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