I'm searching for northwest native american salmon/fish designs for an art project to be donated to a river/fish conservation fundraiser. I apologize to those who feel this BB is strictly for fishing reports/rants but conservation is a big part of what we all like to do!

I've searched the web using several search engines (google, dogpile, etc) and was floored at the UW library. anyone know of any websites or specific books/authors/artists I can reference for some great design ideas?

thanks for any help and info!

flygirl

Flygirl I have done the search on the net also with out much luck. I do know that there is a place in the Pike Place market ( the name slips me) that has some nice Native art. Go in at the main entrance by the bronze pig and go around to the left. In the back ,same level as you walk in there is a store that will have some nice stuff.

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dank
Keep The Rivers Clean!

Contact Randy Capoeman in Tahola,He is an excellent artist.
Good Luck.

Hey Fly Girl, I have a great one, it is tatooed on my right forearm, but I think I still have the artwork for it. I will find it and scan it and e-mail it to you. Send me an e-mail so I can send this to you.
Peace superfly GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!

OK, here goes:
Try going to the Burke Museum at the UW for ideas, the public library for books.

For books:
1) Northwest Coast indian Art: An Analysis of Form by Bill Holm

2) Looking at Indian Art of the Northwest Coast by Hilary Stewart

3) Northwest Coast Native Indian Art "Learning by Doing" by Karin Clark and Jim Gilbert

4) Carving Totem poles and Masks by Alan and Gill Bridgewater

5) A Time of Gathering "Native Heritage in Washington State" by Robim K. Wright

Please note that most if not all artists designs are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without their consent. Most of them make their living by selling reproductions of an original design, such as a print.

Greg Colfax on the Makah reservation is excellent. In Vancouver BC there are many many native artists, try the galleries and studios up there.

It would probably be best to see if there would be an artist willing to donate a design rather than copy an existing one, even if the original artist has long passed away.

[This message has been edited by eric s (edited 09-26-2000).]

i agree with the latest post. If you are copying I would ask permission. Northwest coastal art is designer specific. I took a college class on the subject a couple years ago. Each artist has his or her specific templates. To copy a specific design would be easily recognized.
We used the Bill Holm book as a text. I have attempted to create some designs, but have failed to create something unique that looks halfway different. I do have a cedar bentwood box I carved with a native steelhead template. I would never sell it ( someone elses design) I wish I could remember the book it was in. It was in WCC library in Bellingham.
Good Luck!

Thanks to all who responded--what great info! I also agree strongly with the copyright/copycat issues as I've had some ideas "borrowed" without permission or recognition and was a bit more than steamed and offended.
The idea for my project flashed through my mind one day as I was hypnotized by my fly line, right before I got snagged on a log and lost my train of thought! I was hoping to regain it by immersing myself immediately into native fish art. I've since calmed down and can follow the suggestions offered here as well as head back to UW library.
The Burke Museum--of course!!! It's just too easy to overlook the obvious sometimes.

Thanks,

flygirl

Flygirl;
You might try the big museum in Victoria. Lots of that stuff there.
Guts