PNW

have you ever been inexplicably drawn to a place and feel strangely fulfilled on the rare occasions when you are there? despite having no familial or practical connections to said place? is it a place you knew from another life, if you believe such things (not saying i do or don't)? is it your destiny waiting to be met?
this is what happens when i think about the pacific northwest, which, honestly, has been every day for a long time now.... and have maybe felt for longer than i have been aware of. it is almost like......an aspiration or dream of a parallel life.

having had a couple opportunities now to visit,  the history and culture of the northern coast just makes sense to me; its trees, water and air. its modest harbor towns are very real and relatable and strike a chord. its big cities, modern but not aloof. mostly, i love the art. certain factions of the music, yes (i've worn the flannel, like many of you), but the aesthetic of the the coastal tribes has always been alluring and held a special place. more than any other culture, except maybe japanese, i find a sense of belonging in the visual language.
not long ago i was in the museum of anthropology in british columbia and it was simply hypnotizing; the pedigree of craftsmanship so distinct but spanning hundreds of years. room after room was filled with so many amazing artifacts that i thought i would share a few. what's more, many native artists still carry these skills today.
their dedication and love of animal imagery is essential in knowing who they are....... the natural beauty of the area in which they lived and created comes through in the artwork. that is what excites me. not the thing i painted today or yesterday that i must feel compelled to make sound important. maybe that will and should happen next time on this page. but for now, just study these......the hands that honor the geography. the geography that produces the hands.  i'd say it all very much fits like a puzzle.