I live in Anchorage, Alaska. My mother is Inupiat from Point Hope and my father is from Massachusetts, he was stationed in the Arctic with the Army Corps of Engineers where he met my mother. I have a degree in civil engineering and a fine arts degree in print making, both from the University of Alaska Anchorage.
I developed a tile clay body using the glacial clay from the Cook Inlet mud flats next to Anchorage. The name of the formation is Bootlegger Cove clay. Many of the tiles are made with my old fashion etching press and with copper or mat board plates. I mix my own glazes and fire to cone six in electric kilns.
The last native Alaskan potter working in the traditional ways died around 1880. She lived near Buckland Alaska, which is about 100-125 miles south of Point Hope. Point Hope has pottery shards dating back about 5,000 years and the village is one of the longest continuously inhabited communities in the Americas. It’s a comfort to think that I’m kind of reviving an old art by collecting clay and processing it for use, though of course with new technological twists, such as using an electric kiln.
I received a tile from a relative of mine who admires your work and lives in Alaska. The work is handsome and speaks to an attunement with nature and life forms. Thanks for your vision and your art .
Hi Ed,
I recently spent several weeks in Alaska and came across your tiles. I love them! I purchased 2 tiles, one of a Maple leaf and one of an Aspen. I think I need another! I would love to order an additional one, is that possible?
Hello Jill K.
Yes, you can let me know what you want size and leaf-wise and I’ll get on it. It takes 10 days to 2 weeks from start to finish, so I hope you didn’t need it right away. I still have a few leaf impressions in stock but not many. Flat-rate shipping costs $15 and includes insurance for the value of the tile. Thanks again for your earlier purchase.
-Ed
Your sister-in-law, Linda, shared your website with me. Your artwork is awesome. It is really important to keep old, traditional arts alive. It takes me back to another time and place which I appreciate. I wish you the very best in your efforts.
Hello Ed,
I have admired your art for a long time. I am interested in adding some of your tile work to my home. Do you have a gallery in Anchorage? What is the best way to order your work?
Thank you.
Hi Heidi, the blog has most of the designs and prices. I’m back on town Monday, so let me know which tiles you’re interested in and we can see if I have them in stock or need to make them.
Thanks for you interest,
Ed
I plan on being in Anchorage for AFN, will you have a booth there?
Thank you,
Heidi
Yes, I’ll be at AFN, in the middle on the back. See you there! -Ed
http://knba.org/post/7414-knba-news-state-says-alaska-natives-turn-out-elections-high-numbers Hi, Ed, here’s a link to the news story I did about you and the other artists at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Do you know the intern’s name, in the photo? I could add it to the caption.
Hi Joaqlin,
Thanks for including me in your news story! The interns first name is Rashaun, I don’t know his last name. Becky at the Heritage Center would know.