The timeless quality of Northwest coast native legends are portrayed in this series of contemporary paintings on canvas. During the process of researching and committing to written word the stories of my people, the Kwakiutl, I was inspired to create characters as colorful as the stories themselves. A personalized, modern style evolved resulting in this series of paintings.

They draw upon elements from a variety of tribal styles including; Haida, Coast Salish, Tlingit and Tsimshian. Some people believe that “traditional” means staying in place, not progressing and copying what has done been before. My research of the work of the Native master artists in public collections, has led me to believe that this is not true, as evidenced in these paintings.

Tradition is foundation to build upon, not a set of restrictions to restrain creativity.