Illustrating Raven House Mouse
When Jan Steinbright asked me in 2003 to illustrate a children's story about a mouse that gets adopted into a Tlingit clan, my first reaction was, "No! I can't do realistic illustrations!" She assured me that she wanted me to illustrate it in my own personal style. I thought of a second reason I should refuse: there's no way to illustrate a MOUSE for a Tlingit design. But Jan kept insisting that I was the one to do it, and eventually I agreed.

The most difficult part was getting started; finding a style that I could use throughout the book. I looked at books that Robert Davidson illustrated, and Bill Reid, and tried to imitate other artists' styles. I was getting nowhere, and becoming frustrated. I have no trouble creating abstract pieces, or very stylized work. Illustrating a children's story was going to call for representations that were at least semi-realistic, not so abstract that children couldn't recognize what they were. So I stayed stuck for nearly a year.

Jan was becoming increasingly impatient. She told me, just draw in your own style!
Once I started that, all the ideas started coming all by themselves! This is the cover of the wonderful children's story. It's great for adults too.

The book has a glossary in the back for the Tlingit terms used in the story. A wonderful way to learn about another culture's social system and the sense of community and family the llittle mouse longs for and ultimately earns.

Jan has a blog, Winter Nights Arts, where she showcases her artwork, and sells in her Etsy store.

 

 

{rokbox album=|RHM| title=|Kagaak Frightened by Fierce Raven|}images/stories/rhm/fierce raven.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|RHM| title=|Celbration 1992|}images/stories/rhm/celebration92.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|RHM| title=|Leader Adopting Kagaak|}images/stories/rhm/adoption.jpg{/rokbox}
Some of the images from the story

 

 

The price of this book is $19.95 + 9.80 USPS Priority Shipping (Flat Rate Box).
Makes a nice gift!

{rawcontent rc=5}

 
Wearables

DENIM JACKETS
I have a number of denim Marlboro Jackets with handpainted designs on red fabric (heavy cotton). The paint is washable, heat-fixed. The design shown is of an Eagle, but I have Raven designs, Killer Whale etc. The painting is bordered with heavy black felt and abalone buttons, in the style of the Tlingit Button Blankets. Jackets in various sizes. Please inquire!

Denim Jacket with Eagle Design

The jackets sell for $250 + shipping.

LEATHER JACKET
This is a one-of-a-kind jacket with a Killer Whale design painted with permanent leather ink on beige suede. The jacket is size XL.

Leather Jacket with Killer Whale Leather Jacket Design Detail

Selling for $250 + Shipping

MEDICINE BAGS
There are 2 sizes of medicine bags: The Large Bag is 7" including fringe. The Small Bag is 4" including fringe. The small designs are permanent ink. I will have mostly Raven and Eagle designs. The large bag will use red and black, while the small bag will be only black ink. An example of the large bag is shown on the left. The small bag is on the right.

Large Medicine Bag Small Medicine Bag

Selling $25 for Large, $20 for Small
 

All Rights Reserved

Artist's images and writing © Robert Davis Hoffmann.
No images or copyrighted works herein may be used except by permission.
Also: read about Intellectual Property and Clan Art
Banner