The OOKPIK Project

**Robson Valley** · 1st May 2011, 05:03 AM

Here's a hand-sewn, sealskin ookpik (Inuit = owl) from Canada's high arctic, probably marketed by the Hudson's Bay Company, 1955 - 1960.
The other influence was the high quality of the lithographs and silk-screen prints coming south from native art co-operatives. I did a drawing, about 1980, and transferred that to a 23x45cm pine board.
In that day and time, the only carving tool that I had in great abundance were surgical scalpels ('scuze the dark humor). The design was carved entirely with scalpels. Last week, I got advice and the loan of two brayers & block printing ink from the local high school art teacher. I cut down the ground 5-7mm with a 9/15 gouge.
Friday, I tried my hand, for the very first time, at printmaking. Three things from this persist in my wood carving: simplistic eyes, stylized over all body and the scalloped feather design element. Two years ago, I learned that a single carver in the Yukon Territory carved feathers like mine.
I expected some images to be attached however a "security token" is missing and I am not allowed to inform the administrator.

**springwater** · 1st May 2011, 06:05 AM

Hi RV, I've come across that "security token" thing once or twice too. From what I can understand it may be because the pics are too big or their taking too long to upload and there's a time out thing happening. Have you got a "light weight" pic (less than 600 x 800 px) or can you reduce a pic to that size and I'll try and walk you through the upload thing? I like others I'm sure would love to see some of your images.

**Robson Valley** · 1st May 2011, 07:29 AM

Let me try again. I wondered if the images might be too big (another woodcarving forum _specifies_ file size.) This is like shaking hands with an octopus: one thing at a time.

**springwater** · 1st May 2011, 10:00 AM

Thanks RV, I'm not sure if I like the hand-sewn, the print, the carving or the name Ookpik better

**Robson Valley** · 1st May 2011, 10:46 AM

Thanks for your suggestion regarding image size. I've written it all down so I can't screw up again.
In a past life, I wanted to make prints. Nice to finish off a 50-year old project at last. I hope nobody gets twisted out of shape for using wood carving as a means to an end! I plan to do more printing.
I have a partial set of local wild animal carvings to post next. Eight done and seven more to go. I have already been asked to re-do all of them as wood-cut prints.

**artme** · 1st May 2011, 08:59 PM

I feel the same way as Springwater.!! Very interesting post Robson!!

**Robson Valley** · 5th May 2011, 04:43 AM

The print shows my style of feather which I have used since that 1980 carving. A style that I do not find in (local) native arts. You can see that I make short feathers for body & face, longer feathers for wings.
In the Raven Project for example, I make a drawing, a template, of the feather outlines. Row by row, as I transfer the drawing to the wood, I cut off the lowest feathers. Each feather begins with a stop-cut with a #9 gouge. Then I use a smaller gouge to scoop out the interior to leave 2-3mm around the edges. Thatès it. Short ones for bodies, long ones for tails & wings.

The eyes are aways the most minimal of dots, no eyebrows, lids or anything.
I like to decorate my carvings with local stone, mineral and shell.
Just head, beak & eyes, bodies and wings. When most birds land, Ravens included, I dont see their feet. So I dont carve anything distinctive at all.

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