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