Haida Art Today

May - 2010

2010-06-03T19:31:00.001-07:00

Quick Rendering Of A Vibrant Visceral Scene - Prismacolor marker on cotton - Sheldon Skillie - 2010

May - 2010

2010-06-03T19:29:00.000-07:00

Procession Of The People - Prismacolor on cotton - 9" x 12" - Sheldon Skillie - 2010

About Me

2010-05-28T12:53:00.000-07:00

The greatest invention, the wheel? I certainly couldn't imagine skating or bicycling without one, so, I'm grateful for it and pay tribute to its rolling motion as much as I can. To the left is my friend Chris skating the Tigard park. l tend to hit it up early, as to not annoy the young rippers with my non ripping ways. Seriously, the kids nowadays KILL IT! These bikes are my wife and I's main mode of transpo. Reliable lugged frame beauties.

Kushtika (Shapeshifters)

2009-10-15T17:14:00.000-07:00

Reproductions in plaster of an original plaster carving, these are my first foray into casting copies of my work. Like much of my work, these are dynamic compositions that have no specific orientation. Having no set 'top' or 'bottom', the viewer discriminates their own interpretation. A 'choose your own adventure', I'm aiming for universality in appeal with my work. Too often have I encountered folks who appreciate northwest coast art but feel alienated by crest affiliation, perceived cultural animosity, and oversensitivity to historical perspective. I want this art to be open to all who seek to enjoy it, if not for its historical and cultural significance, then at least for the art itself.

April's First Thursday, 2009, at Anka Gallery, Portland, Oregon

2009-10-15T17:01:00.000-07:00

My pieces in this show, at this fine gallery, focused on my adaptation of formline style to graffiti immediacy. I wanted to translate what I was doing with fat markers into the refinements of the northern formline conventions.

Space, time

2009-10-15T16:57:00.000-07:00

These reflect the fusion in my earlier works that combine formline with my even earlier floral/abstract style. Ink on paper, 2005-ish, these are about page size.

Corpus Callosum

2009-10-15T16:48:00.000-07:00

This is a digital extrapolation of my earlier ink on paper drawing "Punctuated Equillibrium". I've always wanted to experiment with negativizing my work to see how my negative formline would actually translate. Also, I wanted to explore my abstract, visceral imagery as a "split image", where I can achieve perfect symmetry through digital imaging. The results for me were complimentary to the psychedelic nature of formline that I can't help but expound upon.

Joyride

2009-10-15T16:35:00.000-07:00

' Joyride' was the title of a group show in Ketchikan, Alaska, of contemporary native Alaskan artists. These two pieces of mine were featured showcasing my then formative style. They're both india ink on 1oo% cotton rag paper and are between 15 and 30 inches wide.

Medicine Buddha sign commission (2008)

2009-10-15T16:28:00.000-07:00

This commission was for a sign for a small massage therapy office opening on NW 23rd in Portland in August of 2008. I worked closely with the business owner to achieve the original Buddha image and special color scheme that worked for him personally. The original design is in acrylic paint on 100% cotton rag.