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Graphic Design & Cultural Art
Custom Formline designs for organizations, educational projects, and cultural institutions. Each piece honors traditional Northwest Coast visual language while serving contemporary community needs.
Yeíl Sings a Lingít Song Drum
Private Collection Commission | 2024
This design was created for a private collection, combining traditional Tlingit imagery with contemporary meanings. Yéil is the Tlingit word for Raven, and the design captures both the essence of our storytelling traditions and the act of singing. I created an abstract interpretation of a split-beak raven head with wings, incorporating cross-hatching to hold the negative space together, a technique often used in Formline art. In the beak/mouth area, I included a tongue that transforms into a human face with its tongue out, representing the act of singing. This design was painted onto a handmade 16-inch elk skin drum. The combination of the traditional drum with this contemporary design felt like a perfect representation of how our culture continues to evolve while staying rooted in our traditions.
Kindling New Traditions
Western Washington University | November 2023
I designed this logo for Western Washington University’s Native American Heritage Month celebrations, seeing it as an opportunity to represent the essence of Native storytelling through Tlingit art. The design features two ravens in conversation. In Tlingit culture, Raven is a central figure in many of our stories, often portrayed as a clever trickster and creator. By depicting ravens in dialogue, I wanted to emphasize the importance of storytelling in Native cultures. I used modern interpretations of traditional Tlingit Formline elements to create the ravens, setting them against a starry night sky with a central fire. The stars represent the enduring nature of our stories, passed down through generations, while the fire symbolizes the vitality of our oral traditions and the warmth of community gatherings. This project was particularly meaningful because it aligns with WWU’s commitment to including Native voices and promoting Native intellectual change.
Leaders in Native Education Convening Logo
LNEC Conference | July 2023
I created the logo for the 2023 Leaders in Native Education Convening held in Dzantik’iheeni (Juneau, Alaska). This project allowed me to represent three states through Formline elements. The convening brings together educators from Alaska, Washington, and Oregon, so I decided to incorporate symbols for each state using Formline design elements. For Alaska, I used a light blue mountain symbol. Washington is represented by a teal evergreen tree, and Oregon by a blue rolling wave. These symbols aren’t just geographical representations. They’re created using traditional Formline elements like ovoids, S-shapes, trigons, and crescents. What I love about this project is how it bridges traditional Tlingit design with a contemporary purpose. Creating this logo was also a reminder of the importance of education in preserving and promoting Native cultures.
Tlingit Copper Shield Medallion Necklace
Personal Jewelry Project | January 2023
My Tlingit Tináa project combines traditional copper shield designs with contemporary jewelry-making techniques, resulting in unique medallion necklaces. Tináa, or copper shields, have always fascinated me. They’re deeply significant in Tlingit culture, representing wealth and status. Many contemporary Tlingit artists create Tináa as jewelry, typically as necklaces. I decided to put my own spin on this idea. What makes my approach unique is that I’ve transformed the Tináa into a medallion-style necklace, a form that’s common in many other Tribal jewelry traditions but not typically seen in Tlingit work. To create these pieces, I start by designing and crafting a Tináa. Then, I punch holes around its perimeter and add a backing. The real magic happens when I bead around the edge, similar to how other Tribal medallions are finished. To complete the piece, I create a fully beaded wrap necklace.
Mini Paddles
Personal Art Project | 2021
My mini paddle designs began as gifts for friends and family, inspired by traditional paddle carving techniques I learned from Tlingit artist James Johnson. After learning paddle carving from James Johnson, I was inspired to create smaller versions that could be easily displayed in homes. These mini paddles, measuring only 15 inches long, provide a perfect canvas for Formline designs despite their small size. I’ve created a variety of designs on these paddles, including Ravens and Eagles, which are significant in Tlingit culture. I’ve also branched out to other subjects like Boston Terriers and Dutch Lions, as well as abstract designs. This variety allows me to cater to different tastes while still practicing traditional Formline techniques. To make these mini paddles more display-friendly, I create custom acrylic stands for each one. What I love about these mini paddles is how they’ve allowed me to share Tlingit art in an accessible, personal way.
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Watch design iterations and learn about client collaborations on Patreon.