Nigel Fox Artworks

Some people enjoying the reception at the MNBC

Well, the reception for the exhibit at the Museum of Northern BC has come and gone. The gallery attendants told us that we had a very good turn out. I met with people from my hometown that I haven’t met in years and made a few new contacts as well. Things are working out so well in Prince Rupert that I decided to stay a week instead of just a few days; and good thing too, because I finally had the opportunity to meet with artist, Nicole Best Rudderham in her 3rd avenue studio. We talked about a number of things. She has a background in marketing so I gleaned what I could off of her, and took some advice to attend a meeting of the “easel weasels” later on that night.

My dad was at the reception for a while, too. It was good to see him. We went out later on the next day for some sketching. We went to the top of Service Park in Prince Rupert for about 3 hours and just sketched the scenery.

Dogwood Flower Bowl

Well, I am currently carving a cedar frog bowl for my solo exhibit coming up next month at the MNBC in Prince Rupert, BC–the town where I grew up.  My art school teachers told us that we would miss their direction when we are out of school and though I seem to be able to carve, there are still some details that I could use some help with.  The teachers at FDS provided much inspiration and cultivated an environment where innovation and tradition thrived alongside each other.  It was quite inspiring.

Although many of you who are from out of town did not hear about this event in Terrace, there was an annual studio tour this weekend in Terrace. It couldn’t have been a better weekend, weather wise. Numerous people came out to where I was stationed with two other artists, near Usk. Usk is about 10 minutes outside of Terrace, so the people who came sure wanted to see us. There were treats, good conversation, refreshments, beautiful scenery and beautiful art. My only regret was that I didn’t get to see the other studio venues; Amy did, though, and she told me that she had a really great time.

At the venue where I was stationed, there were two other artists: Todd Stephens and Susann Williamson. Todd is a Nisga’a artist who runs a studio in town, Wilp Simgan (House of Red Cedar), and Susann is an artist who makes stained glass in her studio, Mountainside Stained Glass.  Susann was an amazing hostess and a cook of heroic proportions.  I think that I will remember the ham sandwich that I had this afternoon for some time to come.  amy and I were very privileged to stay with her and her partner, Al.

We are looking forward to next year’s event.  Over all, it was a very successful weekend, we gave it our best, and then had a rest.

Nathan Wilson and I finished our first commission together.  It had its ups and downs, but it was over all very positive and a total blast.  We worked 10 hour days over a 6 day period and worked on site the whole time.  We set up a tarp tent soon after starting the project and with the wind blowing very hard at times, it nearly blew over a few times and collapsed more times than we could remember.   We started with sketch ups of the proposed crest heads and after all the formalities, such as price, dimensions and other considerations, we started the first day after finishing our last day of class at Freda Diesing School.

We started by preparing the log–a first-growth western red cedar.  And after the surface was prepared and all the roughage taken off, we had a smooth surface to work on and put the crest heads.

Next we painted the primary and secondary forms.

Then we started carving.

Then, finally we painted the tertiary areas and after getting approval from the clients, we were done.

Very exciting project and I am looking forward to what’s next.  Stay tuned.

Well, it’s the first day out of school at Freda Diesing School and Nathan Wilson and I have work to do already. We have been commissioned to work on a twelve foot long, old growth cedar log. We are to put five crests on this log. The four main crests: wolf, eagle, killer whale and raven; and a sub-crest, beaver. For those of you who don’t know, a crest is a native stylized design of an animal, usually to represent a matrilineal (ie from the mom) blood-line. We have been commissioned to do this piece in order to honor first nations at a local day care.

It has been quite the year at Freda Diesing School. I remember being so nervous on the first day. Over the first few months, with the incessant ovoids and various workshops and fieldtrips. Then the new year with its deadlines, exhibits and presentations. What a year. I had so much fun and learned so much–that is the way that learning should be. I look forward to meeting with everyone in the class in the future, and if not, then on Facebook.

There is less than a week until the year end exhibit for we, the students at Freda Diesing School. Most of the submitted pieces will be carvings and although this is a new medium for me, I have to say that I have surprised myself with how well I did. I’m happy with the work and I think that is all that matters.

It’s been quite the year and i think that I will do a bit of a review when I have the time, but for now it’s back to the grindstone. I still have some pieces to finish for the exhibit… Here’s a photo of a red cedar mask that I am working on for the show:

Rangi Kipa, Maori Artist

Rangi Kipa, a leading Maori artist from New Zealand, came to the class today in order to introduce himself and meet the students. This is part of what has become somewhat of a “teacher’s exchange”. Dempsey Bob and two Freda Diesing graduates went to New Zealand in October in order to learn more about the Maori culture and its carvers first hand. They met with Rangi while they were down there. While Rangi is here, he will be doing a bone carving workshop for Freda Diesing students; former FDS students are also welcome to attend tomorrow (bring your own bone to carve).

Naomi Yamamoto, BC's Minister of Advanced Education

While Rangi was meeting with the students today, we had a surprise visit from BC’s minister of advanced education, Naomi Yamamoto. Naomi seemed quite interested in what we are doing at the school, learning about the various facets of the school. I got to talk with her and even show her a cedar mask that I am carving. She seemed very interested to know about how and why we dry the wood while we are carving it.

On a similar note, I was a bit surprised to hear that Rangi has a degree in social anthropology and a masters degree as well. I am finding that a lot of the more academic art schools encourage written and spoken communication. I think that this is because words are important, especially in the context of art. Words often provide a context for a piece of art, sort of like the light in a room, and that is part of the reason why I have learned to love to write.