As I sit back and contemplate the idea of masks in general. Since I am a wood carver I view mask from the perspective of the knife to wood relationship. There are many different types and syles of masks worldwide. Since I'm a Tlingit Kaa- Kaa meaning Man. I enjoy carving Tlingit style masks.

I started carving some 35 years ago, and my journey along the way as an artist has put me in contact with other tribal artist and non-native artist as well. I have carved masks that are gerneric or organic in nature if you will. This journey has led me to where I am today. My current focus is Tlingit masks. There are as many different looking Tlingit masks as there are carved masks in general.

One thing is for certain. I have had discussions with many artists along the way, and most of us agree that the mostly carved object, would be a mask. For this one reason alone. Since the size of a mask is usually one that fits in ones hands comfortably, easy to carry around where ever you go , and can be carved pretty much anywhere. I think it is the most carved object in the history of carving! But that is my opinion. It makes sense to me.

So back to my choice of masks. By the way I like to carve other objects as well. Totem poles,canoe paddles, headresses, Clan hats etc. But today I'm going to be talking about masks. 

Making a mask or carving a mask is going to take acquiring wood and tools. The types of wood I use are alder, old growth red cedar, yellow cedar, yew, birch, cottonwood, spruce, port orford etc. The wood I usually have access to more readily: are alder, red and yellow cedar. Alder trees grow all over here in the NW and are easier to access and cheaper than the Red Cedar and Yellow Cedar.

Carving tools can be found by tool makers like a 5 piece beginners carving set through places like Kestrel tools on Orcas Is. washington. 

There are different types of Tlingit masks. Just like there are many types of Haida, Tsimshian, Bella Bella, Nisga or any tribal affiliated carved masks. Some of the masks that come to mind are: Portrait masks that look like a human face- surreal. Multi figure masks, ceremonial, shaman mask, small, medium and large masks.

I like to use pastel type colors. Bright colors are not my style, but can be used by others. The usual colors blue/green, black and red are the most used colors. Best example of my Tlingit masks is to Look at the image of masks hanging on my wall at home provided in this Blog.

A basic design would be to paint the mask with these colors and breaking up the surface aeras with shapes, formline. More complex would be like relief carving the formline as well. Then there are more complex designs in mask where multiple figures are carved around the face of the mask, figures coming out of the mouth,on the forehead. The more elaborate they are means more time invested to complete the designs capturing the desired essance of Tlingit culture! 

So far we have been talking about carving out the mask, painting it, which is actually a lot of planning and work involved to get to this point of the process. I would say 90% at least. There is also hollowing out the backside of each mask. Have you ever carved out a bowl? It would be similar in the sence that a lot of wood needs to be removed from the back as well. Making Tlingit masks is a labor intensive art medium (carving wood in general) and we haven't discussed the finished look that each may look like.

Another thing to consider or decide is the finished look, the last 10% of creating a mask. Are you wanting to inlay abalone, operculum shell. human hair, horse hair, cedar bark hair (made from pounding inner cedar bark), nose bones: made from bones or shaped from Devils Club stems. Adding copper nose rings etc. Once the decision is made than it's time to complete the design and hang on the wall of your home or a gallery.

When I start a mask in my Native or Tlingit tradition. I don't even know what the finished mask is going to look like. One thing all my masks have in common is that I start each piece by establishing a C/L center line all the way around mask blank. I then draw facet lines that I adze to get a balanced shape of the blank, from here I draw a profile on one side of the mask that I want, use tracing paper and transfer it to the other side. Now your looking at a balanced face design. The trick from this point to the finished piece is maintaing that balance when carving away the wood. Example; in order to make the nose to pop out since it's the furthest part of our face from the cheek and forehead area, you have carve away wood and re-establish your lines as you go. You can plan on doing this process many times before you get to the desired look. This process is repeated for the eyes, forehead, mouth areas and in fact all have to be carved down together, moving from area to area. If you have multi-figures on your mask, then the process is going to be more complex and the skill level just increased.

Most people may look at carved masks and enjoy the way it looks. That's usually the case. I get it. What they may not understand from first glance or even multiple glances is what is really involved in creating a beautiful piece of art.

Skill sets needed to be an artist creating art.

• Learn to carve
• Sharpening tools
• Painting and making paint, patina etc.
• Inlays; abalone,operculum etc.
• Adding hair; human, horse or cedar bark

This list is going to cover pretty much of what I think an artist learns over time of their personal journey. Not everything is covered in this list, but it gives you a pretty good idea that there is more to being an artist than meets the eye. 

When I am in the process of creating a carved piece I always say " That I'm finding my way" from start to finish. More often than not, I don't even know what the finished piece is going to look like until it's finished. 

"I'm just a guy likes to make wood chips"

"Carving Out My Future One Chip At A Time"

I hope you enjoyed this Blog post! Carving Tlingit Masks is a passion of mine! Have a Great Day! I'm looking forward to writing more blogs as we go down this journey called Life!

Saat-Kaa

Fred Fulmer