 My
mother, Pan'ruq, who has been a constant source of hope and inspiration
for me all my life, and my baby sister, Rose, who has really made me proud
to be her brother.
 This is
my lovely first daughter, Jasmine and my handsome little grandson, Elijah.
 Elijah.
 This is
my second daughter, Jordan, who is just as beautiful.
 This is
my third and last daughter, Jewel. Growing up way too fast. Do I make beautiful babies or what?
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I am a self taught artist. I was born August 5, 1956 in the summer village of Umkumiut on Nelson Island, Alaska.
I think my earliest introduction into fine art was from the colorful, detailed pictures of old world paintings, depicting events from the bible my parents had. I was too young to be interested in the text, much less understand it, but the art fascinated me. I started doing drawings at an early age, but did not start doing some sculpture until my late twenties. It was when I discovered the book 'The Eskimo About Bering Straits' by Edward William Nelson, with its pictures and detailed information of Yup'ik artifacts that my imagination really took off. I carried it around so much, it was like my bible, and in a way I guess it was. This book was the only piece of clear evidence that my ancestors were ingenious people who created a beautiful life for themselves in a harsh environment.
As a contemporary artist who happens to be of Yup'ik descent, I feel privileged to draw from such a rich heritage. It is hard to express in words the joy I have felt throughout the years since I began carving masks and other artifacts. I could hold these things in my hands instead of just looking at pictures of them. I have never felt more centered and focused than after learning about the history of my people. I can reach into the future with a firm grip on the past.
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