| I had lived in Vancouver very briefly as | | | | painted or carved right into the pieces. |
| a child and it was during that time when | | | | The colors and designs, which might be |
| I was first exposed to the art of the | | | | considered a bit exaggerated to |
| Northwest Coast Native American Indians. | | | | non-native eyes, were striking as well |
| It was the towering colorful totem poles | | | | as bold. I knew at that time that I |
| out in Stanley Park that everyone gazed | | | | wanted to include some of this |
| at with wonder and appreciation. It took | | | | magnificent artwork on my walls back at |
| about 30 years later during a return | | | | home. So I bought two plaque carvings |
| trip to Vancouver when Northwest Coast | | | | and carried them home like newly found |
| Native American art caught my eyes | | | | treasure. |
| again. | | | | Historically, the native Indians who |
| I was in Vancouver for business and | | | | lived along the river valleys and |
| landed at the city's new airport | | | | coastal waters of the Pacific Northwest |
| terminal. One could not help but notice | | | | were all hunters and gatherers. The |
| the huge native carvings near the | | | | region was blessed with abundant |
| arrivals area. Later on during my stay, | | | | resources from both the seas and |
| I decided to wander around in the | | | | forests. These people captured in their |
| Gastown district. It was in these shops | | | | artwork the animals they hunted and |
| and galleries in Gastown where I fell in | | | | observed. These included bears, killer |
| love with Northwest Coast Native | | | | whales, eagles, ravens, salmons, wolves, |
| American art. I saw many wonderful | | | | hummingbirds and even frogs. Chiefs and |
| wooden plaques representing different | | | | mythical characters important in their |
| animals. There were also art prints, | | | | legends such as thunderbirds were also |
| paintings, masks, wooden bowls and even | | | | included as art subjects. |
| furnature with these animals either | | | | |