Art Cards by Joe Wilson, Coast Salish
All designs are copyrighted by the artist and publisher. Each measures 6 x 9 and is suitable for framing. Published in Canada. $4.50 each. Matted and Framed on select styles now available including Sun, Moon, Eagle, Thunderbird and Killer Whale, Frog, Blue Heron, Mother Bear and Cub and Strong Spirit. Matted are $16 and framed (black wood) are $25 each. Perfect holiday gifts! Frame color black or brown/black.
Sun |
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| The Sun is a source of energy and life. Many legends and traditions among the North West Coast People speak of interaction with the Sun. The dynamic use of colour speaks of the active properties of the Sun, while the rays show balance and harmony. The energy from the Sun cuts through the west coast fog and cloud to bring growth to the magnificent rainforests that cover the land. Black wood frame. |
The moon has always had some kind of magical effect on people around the world. I was inspired to do this moon with two ravens around it, an owl's face in the tail and an upside down frog in the face of the moon- a Salishan concept. This moon represents the coming of spring and wukus the frog wakes up to announce it. Black wood frame. |
Salish Wolf |
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The wolf is a powerful symbol and always reminds me of family unity. The wolf is also an example of loyalty and working together in life. |
There are many stories about wolves and each person or tribe seems to have their own. I like to think of the wolf for it's positive characteristics such as it's strong sense of family and the responsibility to provide for it's family. The wolf is both a hunter/provider and the protector of family and territory.
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ST,KA,YE (The Wolf) |
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SPA,IT (Mother Bear and Cub) |
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In nature the mother bear is the one who cares for, nurtures and protects her cub. This design, particularly the cub in the design, is a portrait of my daughter and the expression reminds me of the love and joy she has brought to my life. Brown frame. |
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In this design I have tried to provide the best rendition of a traditional "Spirit Bear" design in Coast Salish Style. My research over the past 25 years has included most of the ancient bone, stone and wood carvings. The idea for this design came from an old comb design made of bone and represents to me a revival of some of the powerful art forms of our ancient people. The design with the huge protruding tongue and eye style is reminiscent of the traditional "Sxwaixwe" mask- a sacred and rarely seen mask outside our culture. To Joe, this piece is a tribute to the Spirit Bear and represents power and prestige. |
Spirit Bear |
This Raven design is one I am particularly proud of, shown here with a frog design in the body. It is probably one of my best Salishan style designs. Raven to me represents a wily, cheeky, trickster-like character. In fact, I like to think it was Raven's influence that put the quirks into some of my other designs. |
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To many, the eagle is a symbol of power and prestige. To me it is a symbol of freedom. This eagle is represented as a supernatural eagle because it has a crest on its head. Usually, Salish birds or animals were represented with crests signifying our own distinct artform. The figure in the middle of its chest is a salmon, which the eagle enjoyed eating. Black wood frame. |
Eagle |
Frog |
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The Frog "Wukus" is known in the Salish tradition as the "Announcer". It is the Frog who announces the end of the winter dance season. It is said that as the last snowflakes of the season touch the ground they turn into frogs, and the people then know that it is only another 6 weeks before the salmon will return to the rivers. Black frame. |
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I have often been asked to design a Salish representation of the beaver. This design incorporates many of the traditional Salish forms with my own interpretive style. The beaver design represents patience and strength to me- strength for our future carvers and artists and the patience that it requires. |
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The Hummingbird is a symbol of good luck and good fortune. It was considered a positive sign to spot a Hummingbird just prior to some major event such as hunting or travelling to another village. The abilities of the Hummingbird to hover and move back and forward at great speeds are seen as skills that guide the people. For example, if the people fall behind, the Hummingbird can easily back up to keep pace. The Hummingbird design is a well-respected symbol. |
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The Loon has always caught people's imagination when they hear its mystical cries echo across the water. Here, I have a mother with two chicks, one riding proudly on the mother's back, and the other swimming ahead. This reminds me of my two girls, one of whom I sometimes carry while the other is always anxious to look ahead and explore the world. . |
Loon |
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Blue Herons are a familiar sight to residents of the North American west coast. They are one of the largest coastal birds and as such have inspired and enthralled many people including artists. Joe talks about his blue heron design; "I am impressed by the grace and majesty of a heron in flight. It is a peaceful almost dreamy feeling. I am also impressed and reminded of patience. A blue heron is incredibly patient and won't move unless it is certain to catch it's food." Brown frame available.. |
Killer Whale |
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One of the most prominent symbols of the North West Coast peoples is the KillerWhale. Traditional legends empower the Killer Whale with extraordinary powers which were to be respected and admired. The Killer Whale was a major influence on the Salish people in that the pods of whales could scare away the life-giving salmon. The presence of these creatures in local waters meant that fish would be scarce for awhile. |
The Thunderbird and Killerwhale figure prominently in Salish Legend. One such legend tells of the Salish people's great dependence on the salmon. One day the Killerwhale swam into the bay and the salmon were scared away. It was not long before the people began to starve and called out to the Thunderbird for help. The Thunderbird swooped down and grabbing the Killerwhale in his claws, carried him out to sea. The salmon returned and the people were no longer hungry. Black frame |
Thunderbird & Killer Whale |
Kw'anmkw'um 'suli (Your spirit becomes stronger). This design depicts two wolves- a female on the left and a male on the right surrounding a human figure. The design represents family unity and strength with the human figure reaching with outstretched arms in a welcome gesture- inviting people into a caring environment. I created this design to assist our local tribe in support of people living with HIV. Black frame |
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This design represents balance to me and was inspired by a request for a very personal large tattoo design. I found the request to be amazing in the sense that someone would want to permanently mark their body with one of my images. The balance is between a bear representing a personality balanced by two ravens. |
Bear and Two Ravens |
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This design means both 'Welcome' and 'Thank You.' Travellers between villages would sing as they paddled their canoes. When the people in the village heard the song they would gather on the shore to see who was coming. If the visitors were friendly, the men of the village would paddle out to greet them and bring them to shore- singing a welcome or paddling song, together. The open-palm in the design indicates welcome and is also used to say 'Thank You.' In the Saanich language- 'Hi'swke' is the word for 'Thank You' and is always used in conversation including thanking people for visiting. |
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This design was derived from two old sources of Coast Salish Design. The two-headed serpent was from an old Salish comb. I designed the center from a concentric circle design that I found between two serpents on an old Coast Salish grave stand. I incorporated a face between the serpents and wrapped the design around a moon. To me this is a powerful night-time symbol. I hope it will stir your imagination as it did mine.
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