Heart of Art: FTT Featured Artists & Vendors

This Friday, September 1st, marks the final First Friday Art Walk of the 2023 season, and what a fun season it’s been! Here at FTT, we’ve been lucky to be visited by a number of excellent artists throughout the summer, and have loved the chance to highlight some incredible work. For September, we’re bringing First Friday a little bit closer to home, featuring the artists within our own four walls – the incredible FTT Team! 

We’ve created this blog as a way to get to know each of our artists and their chosen medium, enjoy and see you soon! 

Miah Davis – Crochet Creations

Could you please tell us a little about what you’ll be creating for First Friday? 

I am making a variety of crocheted items, inspired by the natural beauty here in Seward! I have crocheted some cute stuffed whales, octopuses, and bees, as well as flower keychains. In honor of the fast-approaching spooky season, I’ve also crocheted ghosts and pumpkins. I have also made a beanie and some crocheted bags.

That all sounds amazing! How long have you been crocheting? 

I have been crocheting since I was 12 years old. Hard to believe it's already been over 10 years!

Wow, twelve years is really impressive – how did you get started with crochet? 

I was always a crafty kid. My mom is NOT crafty, so I'm not sure where I got it from. When my mom ran out of arts and crafts ideas for me, she surprised me with a couple of crochet lessons from an instructor. I've been hooked ever since! (Haha like a crochet hook, get it?)

Why do you think you enjoy crochet so much? 

There are so many reasons that I enjoy crocheting! The obvious reason is that I love being able to create things. It's a fun creative outlet that results in cute and/or practical things. It's also a great thing to do with my hands while I binge-watch TV that stops me from scrolling on my phone or mindlessly snacking. Plus, I get the added bonus of feeling productive even if all I did was watch TV all day!

Cassie Desrochers – Hand-drawn Outlet Covers

Could you please tell us a little about what you’ll be creating for First Friday? 

I will be making painted light switch (single and double) and outlet covers using acrylic markers. Right now I have lupine, fireweed, and forget-me-not,  and am hoping to have a few other designs as well! I picked flowers that we see here in our backyard to draw because they add such a beautiful pop of color to our life here in Alaska!

Well, we certainly can’t wait to see what you come up with! How long have you been painting/drawing?

I don't think I “actively paint” apart from the occasional paint night or art course, it is just something of a hobby every now and again that I enjoy - I wouldn’t call myself a painter by any means. I am using acrylic markers for these, so it feels more like drawing or doodling if I am being honest! I am a chronic doodler, drawing little things whenever there is paper in front of me!

That makes total sense – how long has art interested you?

Arts and crafts has always been something I enjoyed. From when I was young and in school and throughout my adult life I have always loved a good arts and craft project! It has become something I look forward to when I have the time and resources to do it

Making these light switch and outlet covers has been such a fun experience! It has been so refreshing to slow down and take a break from whatever I am doing to put my time and energy into drawing flowers onto these covers. As far as drawing in general, I find it to be such a nice way to clear my head and reset myself, as well as just a fun activity to do!

Mary Coster – Photography: Canvas Prints

Could you please tell us a little about what you’ll be creating for First Friday? 

I will be bringing in several different canvas prints of photographs I have taken here in Alaska! I’ll be offering two different print sizes, all on canvas. 

Wow, we can’t wait to see them in person! How long have you been interested in photography? 

I have been taking photos since I was in my teens. I was heading back to a Girl Scout camp I attended summers in the Rocky Mountains near Augusta, Montana, and asked to borrow my dad’s old Brownie camera. I wanted to be able to share some of the scenery and horses I was seeing with my family. Dad actually said yes and I was hooked. 

What a cool experience you were able to share with your dad! What draws you to photography?

Being able to capture nature’s beauty just amazes me, and I want to do it as much as possible. 

It took me 8 years to complete the New York Institute of Photography course because I was working seasonally and trying to see as much of the States as possible. The mail had a tough time keeping up with me. Now it can be done online. How much easier is that?

Deb Faust – Sweet Treats

Could you please tell us a little about what you’ll be creating for First Friday? 

I will be creating mini cinnamon loaves of bread, they’re a hit with my family and friends, and I can’t wait to share them with all of you!

Our mouths are already watering! Can you tell us a little bit more about your process? What got you interested in baking?

I have been baking since childhood, I would work with my mom to create bread and other things. When it comes to the process, I love working with the dough, it’s amazingly cathartic. 

Do you have any fun facts about what you’re making?

This will be my first for sharing with other folks than friends and family. 

Lily Aey – Photography: Canvas Prints

Could you please tell us a little about what you’ll be creating for First Friday? 

For First Friday, I’ll be bringing four different canvas prints of photos that I’ve taken in and around Seward since I arrived in April of this year! I’ve had such a great time getting to know the town and the landscape through the lens of my camera, and I can’t wait to share my images with you all. 

How exciting! Can you tell us a little about what got you interested in photography?

I actually couldn’t tell you when I first got interested in photography, it’s always been a passion of mine. My focus has changed over the years, but I love to be able to capture a moment in time and share it with the world. While I was at college, I was heavily involved with live music photography and loved every minute. It’s a real rush to try to capture the exact moment of action, and a challenge I really enjoy. 

From live music to nature, I guess it really is all about the timing. Where was the last place you visited that you were most excited to capture photos? 

I actually just got back from a trip to Denali National Park with two other FTT Team Members, and I cannot wait to go through my photos from our trip. We were lucky enough to get really close to a grizzly bear (from the safety of the transit bus, thankfully!), and I’m really looking forward to going through my photos of that encounter. 

Want to learn more about our artists and their mediums? Stop by Forests, Tides & Treasures from 6 - 8 pm on Friday, September 1st!

Ed Boudreau

We are proud to feature 2 artist this month in our ongoing Heart of Art Blog series. Here we start with Alaskan Photgrapher Ed Boudreau. Not only can you see his work in our store or online year-round, but you can also meet him in person during our First Friday Art walk this July 1st, 2022 from 6p-8p.

Hailing from Eagle River, Alaska, Ed is a landscape and nature photographer who spent 28 years in the Air Force here in Alaska. During that time he always had his eye focused on her beauty. After retiring in 2010, his wife bought him his first DSLR and pushed him out into the great outdoors. He has been having a blast running amuck throughout Alaska since, trying to stay one step ahead of the bears. Below we interviewed Ed about his experieicne and work. We hope you enjoy and are inspired by Ed as much as we are.

Can you tell us about your "process" / if there's a certain way you go about deciding your subjects/compositions - or favorite things to capture? 
 
-Deciding my subject matter and composition happens to come easy to me as Alaska offers such a wide variety of material to choose from. I can think of no other place in the world that has a larger canvas of opportunities and beauty that Alaska offers. Deciding which way on the compass I feel like going is the hardest part.
My Favorite subjects to capture is probably Sunrise/sunsets followed by capturing the Auroras (most challenging)

What is your favorite art form?
 
-Photography, more specifically, Nature Photography
 
When did you first start creating?
 
-Soon after I retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2010

What inspires you to create your work?
 
- The light!  No matter where I go I am always looking to see how the light of the scene makes the image. That and being outdoors even if it's bad to shoot.
 
 
What’s your favorite thing to see/do in Alaska?
- Favorite thing to see is when a sliver of light decides to break through the clouds and transcends over a mountain range and I happen to be there to capture that one moment in time
  
What advice do you have for aspiring artists?
 
- Practice, Practice, Practice.  The more familiar you are with your equipment will pay huge dividends later when getting “The Shot”. It will come second nature so you won’t be spending precious seconds fiddling with the camera sitting and rushing yourself or missing the shot
 

Anything else you'd like the world to know? 
 
-  We’re only on this marble for an instant and that instant is wasted if you do not stop and “really” appreciate the beauty that surrounds you… As Henry David Thoreau said “"It is not what you look at that matters, it's what you see".

Thanks Ed!

Again, Ed's work is available in Store or online at our website. If yo uare in Seward Friday July 1st, 2022. please come out a meet Ed in person from 6p-8p. He is a thughtful and kind man always ready with a story.

The FTT Family

Meet Alaskan laser artist Gale Glenn who has resided in the Mat-Su Valley since 1979 with her husband Dave. Like many Alaskans, Gale and Dave wore several other hats on their way to their current passion project that included long careers in accounting and working on the North Slope. After they were married in '94, they even ran a successful Air Taxi service in the Valley from 1994-2019. 

Six years ago, they bought their first laser cutter and have never looked back. They started out by creating a wide variety of unique etched products whether it involved custom trophies, colorful wooden plaques, or even sleek aviation instrument panels. Driven to continuously challenge herself and her mastery of the laser medium, she "just kept cruising for stuff, just looking for stuff that’s different… Something that somebody else isn’t doing." Which has led her to where we find her today. With her persistence and love of Alaska and of all things laser, she has developed the series of beautiful Alaskan inspired pieces featured in our Gallery that are so fresh and unique. We are so proud to be able to share them with you.    

*Can you tell us about your process?

Working with a laser is pretty straightforward - cut, paint, glue!  But there are always new processes for improving quality, efficiency and design.   

What is your favorite Medium?

Photography, watercolor. 

When did you first start creating?

My mother was a seamstress, so I picked up some sewing skills when I was young - made clothes for my Barbie!  As I got older, I did quite a bit of embroidery, continued with sewing clothes and crafts. 

What inspires you to create?

A lot of my inspiration comes from talking with folks about ideas that they have.  Makes me think about how I would go about creating that idea.

What’s your favorite thing to see/do in Alaska

We have a cabin that we like to spend time at during the summer. We esdepcially love the trout fishing at the lake. But my absolute favorite thing about this state is it's beauty. I remind myself every day to take time to look around.  Whether it's a cool piece of driftwood on the beach or at Pioneer Peak - there is always something beautiful to see. 

What advice do you have for aspiring artists?

I was hesitant to try something new - puzzled over what colors to use.  You know what? - It doesn't matter, just do it.  You'll learn a lot from trial and error! 

Thank you to Gale Glenn for interviewing with us and taking us through her artistic journey. We are grateful to carry such incredible works from her and so many other artists here at Forests,Tides & Treasures. It is our continued goal at FTT to bridge the gap between artist and guests so that we may all embrace the humanity that we all share more easily. After all, we are better together.

Can you tell us about your process?

What is your favorite Medium?

My crafting obsessions since youth include everything from pottery to custom painted shot skis, colored pencil drawings to pregnancy belly casting & decoration, soft sculpture, pottery, colored pencil drawing, jewelry making, digital art and fine art painting. I love them all! 

When did you first start creating?

What inspires you to create?

What’s your favorite thing to see/do in Alaska

What advice do you have for aspiring artists?

I read somewhere that the healthiness of a civilization can be measured by the art it produces. Meaning that if a society or group of people are producing art that means their survival needs are being met and they have time for self-expression and personal growth. This is in contrast to civilizations that are working with the tools to survive and have no time for play, crafts or expression. Art is a reflection of the experiences happening and will help define this time period for that part of the world. I like the idea that art mirrors society and helps keep a long-lasting record of history from many different perspectives.

Cindy is a versatile visual artist who works professionally as a corporate marketing and communications manager and for more than 25 years the principal of Cindy Shake Design. She has taught sculptural welding at the University of Alaska Anchorage and her welded steel sculptures include public art installations in Anchorage, Alaska. As a published author and illustrator, her popular children's book The Alaska Animal Alphabet is in its 7th printing. Fabrics designed by Cindy are available at fabric stores and through her online shop at Spoonflower. The inspired idea to create a cool, water-resistant growler bag after a wet & snowy walk home from a Girdwood spirits shop, grew to become the pop-up and online shop Crow Creek Coolture.

Crow Creek Cool was formed with her daughter and son as a fun brand of Cindy Shake Design offering one-of-a-kind and hand-crafted provisions that are designed as they say for "Originality & Cooltility." Crow Creek Cool creates, produces, and wholesales, garden flags, bags, stickers, niche art quilt patterns, textiles, downloadable patterns & templates, and fabrics. (Additional designs by Cindy Shake are made available at the Crow Creek Coolture Society6 POD shop.)

Cindy's Creative Process.

Meet Caitlin of Denali Dreams Soap Co. | Anchorage,  AK

We (Denali Dreams) were born from the dreams of two stay-at-home moms (Barb and Janie) who wanted to make a little extra money while raising their kids. With a pot, a wooden spoon and a worthy recipe, they started Denali Dreams Soap Co in their kitchen in 1997. Caitlin (That’s me!) began working for Denali Dreams in 2005, labeling lip balms. Through the years I learned the ins and outs of the business and bought the company in 2015. I was born and raised in Alaska and am always ready for an adventure, for a corny pun, or a good bowl of soup.

At Denali Dreams we love creating quality products that are good for you and your skin. It warms our hearts to know that a little piece of Alaska will go home with you, wherever in the world that may be. Despite our wide reach, we remain a small shop in the heart of Anchorage, where we make all our products by hand from start to finish. We’re a tight-knit crew that loves music, laughs, and most importantly: good smells. If you’re in town, feel free to stop by our little factory to say hi! We’d love to show you how we “make the dream”. 

We use a method called cold process soap making.

Meet Kelsey Fagan, of Juneau, AK:
The Creative Mind behind Elevate Art Studio

I am an art therapist by training, artist by nature and general Jane of all trades by luck and circumstance. Returning to my childhood hometown of Juneau, Alaska as an adult was never the plan, and it has been a delight-filled surprise, bringing with it new exploits in the realms of art, adventure and love... and often all three at once. I live a sweet life in Juneau with my adventurous husband, Craig, brand new daughter, Wilder, and ball-crazed brown dog, Huckleberry, all in a house that I helped my dad build... yet another set of unexpected delights I never could have predicted.

I established Elevate in 2018 in Juneau, Alaska as a platform to share my art and to extend my reach as an artist, art therapist and community member wanting to affect positive change in a world that can feel disconnected.

If it’s a piece that will have some form of writing in it (all of my original pieces, minus most commissions unless the person wants something specific, have some sort of message written into them), I let the image tell me what it needs to say, perhaps play with the wording a bit, and then work the final phrase into the drawing.

Of note, almost all of the phrases found in my art are active. It’s important to me that when viewing the art, there’s a sense of active participation. The phrase is there to bring the viewer into the art, into that moment, and into their body, where they know that place that’s captured not only by the imagery, but by the words as well.

Once I’m happy with that, I go over everything with ink (microns of various sizes) and go back through to erase all the pencil marks. Next I go in with liquid watercolor. Liquid watercolors are different from the dry palettes most people think of when talking about watercolor. (I’ll explain that below.)

I try to prep the watercolors a good number of days ahead of when I’ll need them. They’re water based and the way I like to use them is by squeezing them into the dips of a round palette, then allowing the water to evaporate over a number of days until all that’s left is the concentrated pigment, which ends up a little sticky. This allows me to get incredibly vibrant, saturated colors out of them, while controlling how much water and dilution I want.

I try to be patient with my painting process and allow separate sections to dry before moving on (e.g. paint the water, let it dry, then paint the adjoining shoreline, let it dry, then paint the adjoining mountains, etc.) in order to at least attempt to give things definition and stop everything from running together. My patience doesn’t always win, however, and sometimes this results in a lot of flowing colors that I have to keep reworking, other times it results in some beautiful mistakes. The last step is to go back over all the inked lines with the microns once again over the top of the watercolor, providing more significant definition.
 

What is your favorite Medium?

That said, I also use acrylics and acrylic paint pens when hand painting cork-front trucker hats and I’ll use combinations of watered down acrylics and tempera paints in order to simulate watercolor on large canvases.

There’s a combination of inspirations at play – obviously the magic and beauty of the natural world inspires the imagery I create, but there’s an important additional component inspired by growth, learning more about ourselves in order to live our best lives, and the knowledge that we are complete while also constantly in a state of becoming, which all finds its way in through the words and phrases in my work.

Those moments where we are completely 100% present, experiencing the beauty of a certain place in a certain moment exactly as we are, where nothing else seems to exist except that wholeness… there’s magic in that. It’s the kind of magic that can delight you into giggling just as easily as it can touch the most raw spot in your heart and bring you to tears… and often, for me, those things happen both at once!

The phrases that make their way into the art bring forward a kind of meditation, reflection, or opportunity to dive deeper into that place, to find a sense of resiliency and motivation toward growth. So you can see, there, how the therapist part of my personality and background, works its way in, weaving itself into the magic of the landscapes and elevating them just a step beyond simple imagery.

Additionally, I've got a policy in place within my business that is fulfilled through a series of trucker hats that I get made locally. It's called my Policy of Generosity Series and entails per-hat sale donations being distributed to various local non-profits. It all began with that first fundraising project for Salmon Beyond Borders, then expanded to include a number of other local nonprofits in Juneau. The latest one will be for the Coastal Alaska Avalanche Center. One of the beer labels I've been worked on is by Devil's Club Brewery in Juneau and we're doing a collaborative fundraiser using that beer (The White Stuff IPA) for CAAC during opening weekend at our local ski area. The second beer label is for Forbidden Peak Brewery here in Auke Bay, if that's of interest at all. That release will happen Dec. 18th.

I also do a ton of commission work and have done everything from small pieces that people have used for tattoo art to large pieces for retail windows.

And just another note about the way I work - I strive and am proud to keep everything as local as possible. My prints are produced by The Lab at Ice Fog Press, owned by local photographer and skier Ben Huff; my printed hats are printed and pressed individually by hand by Aurora Projekt, owned by epic snowboarder and filmmaker/photographer Scott Baxter; my cards are printed here in Juneau by AKLitho. My works are currently carried all over Alaska: Juneau, Anchorage, Seward, Homer, Girdwood, Cordova, and Talkeetna.

I love getting out into the wilderness, away from the sounds, energy and reminders of humans, and spending time with Craig, Huckleberry, and now Wilder.

Another place that holds that kind of magic for me is Cooper Landing, on the Kenai Peninsula. I’m a sucker for glowing water. 

Advice to Aspiring Artists & Creative Minds

Just create. Get your thinking and critical mind out of your way and just create. You can share your work or not, but make it. Create it for you. Allow space for evolution, growth, and the simple knowledge that sometimes it’s the finished product that holds the most significance, but just as often, it’s the process itself that matters most. 

We are grateful to carry such incredible work from artists with big hearts and burning passions here at Forests, Tides & Treasures, and consider many of them family. Thank you to Kelsey Fagan for interviewing with us and bringing us through her artistic journey. It is our goal at FTT to bridge the gap between artist and consumer and embrace the humanity that we all share. After all, we are better together.

To view (or bring home) Kelsey's work currently featured here at  Forests, Tides & Treasures, click here. 

Get to know Meg through our interview with her, below:

As a passionate outdoor explorer and athlete with professional training in design, my work combines an eye for style with a tangible feeling of being in wild places. I strive to convert the inspiration I receive from deep snow, flowing water and the natural world surrounding me into every piece. I began as a realism artist, achieved a BFA in graphic design and immersed myself in commercial graphic design for the last ten years. These elements continue to influence my fine art. I love to challenge myself by blending the conceptual with the realistic in my work.I am a professional fine artist and graphic designer based in Alaska’s Chugach Mountains. When I am not creating, you can find me journeying through the mountains, exploring the ocean or flying around the sky.

The first step to any art piece is inspiration. Inspiration for me comes through experiences in my life. I take the vision / feeling from an experience recreate it onto a canvas. Sometimes I sketch it out first and other times I just go for it. I figure out what color platte I want to use and mix the colors. Then I get dive into the creative flow.

"The overwhelming beauty and power of nature inspires me to create."

What is your favorite Medium?

Soft Pastel. I love using my fingers to create art. Even though you do see me create in the much, it has always been my favorite. 

 

When did you take the leap to make art & design your main endeavor?

I went to school for graphic design and straight out of college I started my own business. I was fine with living off of what I could make then and have some fun side jobs that where a part of what I wanted to experience in life (ex: whitewater raft guide, safety kayaker and photo boater / commercial fisherman / ski instructor) I’ve been building my business from the day I graduated and at some point have let go of the fun side jobs. But that is not to say I wouldn’t try to experience another one at some point.

What is your favorite way to overcome creative blocks?

 

Not push it. Go outside and be in nature.

What’s your favorite thing to see/do in Alaska?

Fly my plane to explore & experience new areas.

 

Tell us about your passion as an Alaska bush pilot (what got you into it, if it influences your life or art, anything you'd like us to know)?

Oh boy, this goes way back to when I was a child. My dad was an airplane mechanic and I grew up running around in airplanes, crawling under all the seats like a jungle gym to find and stick all the little wings stickers all over me. I’ve always wanted to be a pilot flying small airplanes into the wild. Growing up in Pennsylvania (which is a huge aviation manufacturing hub) I never really thought I'd get there.

 

When I moved to AK, it started to seem more practical and not as crazy of a feat. As I flew in more small planes and experienced Alaska and life in a way I never have before, I knew I had to make it happen and there came a day where I was not going to wait anymore to make that dream a reality. So I just went for it. 

What advice do you have for aspiring artists?

Just do it. Let go of what you think others might think of your artwork and put yourself out there. You never know what experiences as an artist or opportunities might arise from it. Start small, find a local venue that might be interested in showcasing your work and go for it!

 

 

“Something I’ve learned and would like to share is that life is not a straightforward path, being human is messy. Be kind to yourself and try to always find the courage to do what is best for you. You have one life to live, so do what makes you happy. And always cherish the time you have with the people you love.”

 

We are grateful to carry such incredible work from artists with big hearts and burning passions here at Forests, Tides & Treasures, and consider many of them family. Thank you to Meg Smith for interviewing with us and bringing us through her Alaskan journey. It is our goal at FTT to bridge the gap between artist and consumer and embrace the humanity that we all share. After all, we are better together.

Meg Smith's artwork is currently featured on the AlaskaUSA Visa Credit Card!
Learn more about Meg & her collaboration with them by clicking here.

To view (or bring home) Meg's work currently featured here at  Forests, Tides & Treasures, click here. 

As we approach the renowned Mount Marathon Race, it is only suiting that we interview and feature one of our own FTT artists, Max Romey.

Multimedia Artist | Backwoods Trail Runner | Alaskan Outdoor Enthusiast | Environmental Advocate

Many things can describe Max, but he is all about expanding your horizons and going beyond the surface. He moved to Alaska at the age of 16, and never looked back, embracing the instant community that many find, here in Alaska. But his true joy and calling came from videography and watercolor while pursuing things he finds passion in.

Many may agree with Max here: “without art, the world is less.” Not only is Alaska beautiful, but the communities and people are a great way to draw inspiration. From the villages and fishing communities, to the trademark Xtratuf boots Alaskans don from Fairbanks to Ketchikan (and everywhere in between). A unique closeness in the Alaskan art community serves as a muse for Max as well, stating that it’s not so much a competition but a collective of creatives who seek to lift one another up and encourage pushing the envelope in their endeavors.

Max has filmed the race, releasing a feature called 3022ft (you can view it here on Vimeo). During the filming, Max and crew ran the equivalent of 2 times the mountain race (approximately 10-15 kilometers). The goal of the film was trying to capture the human aspect of the Mount Marathon Race, covering the top Men and Women conquering the stone giant. Coverage included the community element of the race (amongst the Seward community and the racers themselves) and shed light on a gender discrepancy: until recently, only the men’s race was broadcast. That year – they were able to capture the closest race in Mount Marathon History!

Challenges to filming the Mount Marathon Race for 3022ft

“Any step on the route could be the pivotal moment for the race”. There were over 17 cameras along the route, and Max’s team relied heavily on community support. From planting videographers along the route, to strapping go-pros to racers, the film subjects were so open and embraced this new way to showcase both a physical and mental challenge that many who haven’t run it couldn’t comprehend.

When asked about what was so special about the Mt. Marathon race, Max responded that it paints a ‘stone soup’ on the ‘giant pile of rocks’ [Marathon] and everyone ‘brings their own flavor’. “Anything can happen on that mountain”. This ignited a new flame within Max; sparking a deeper love of the unique Alaskan geography and a desire to explore and understand the heritage of Alaskan trails.

Though he’s not run the race itself, Max is no stranger to Mount Marathon. Personally, he’s trekked up and down the behemoth 50 to 60 times. Though the race trail is exciting, it is dangerous – there are multiple injuries (sometimes fatalities) each year outside of race day due to people who are unprepared or take a trail that is outside of their physical abilities. In fact, he partnered with the Mount Marathon Race to make this year’s race safety video. Max’s gear recommendations: good shoes (one with grippy treads), gloves (for the devil’s club, rocks, etc), water, wind layer, and gators (to prevent rocks in socks, if possible). His personal additions to each trek are a sketchbook and wide-angle camera. He hopes to try his hand (…feet?) at the race in 2022.

Embracing all trails of Seward

When asked what his favorite spots were, Max remarked that there is so much to explore in Seward. Mt. Marathon is most popular but the lesser-known back side of Marathon is a great way to explore it. His personal favorite on Resurrection Bay is Bear Mountain – nestled beside Marathon. Behind AVTEC, two lakes park and the Marathon Jeep/Bench Trail are also excellent options, while yet another underrated trek across the bay is Mt. Alice.

Watercolor: a fantastic challenge.

Watercolor is a medium that is more about the artist working ‘with’ instead of controlling it to make a composition. Sometimes the fluidity of the paint makes a turn in your process and completely changes the outcome. When asked about why and how he goes about using this medium for landscape, Max said: “Between the landscape and the people, I try to paint the energy and motion of the mountain – trying to capture how colorful and moving these rocks can be.”

“Trails can help you find yourself.”

For Max Romey, Mt. Marathon showed what’s possible on these trails. Since, he’s filmed for Soloman, Black Diamond, Patagonia, and more worldwide, but his passion remains evident in the Alaskan trail history and community. Trails connect Alaska – they’ve been traversed by animals, and indigenous persons for centuries. The world is full of these scattered pathways, connecting homes and communities, and telling stories of time long past.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Max took on a new series of projects, combining his love of the backcountry trails and capturing it with his camera and sketchbook. He utilized his art account, @trailboundsketches on Instagram, as well as started @homeboundsketches (“Helping each other through a rough year with weekly themes and daily watercolor prompts”) – to unite artists and consumers alike during an unprecedented time in the world.

“It’d be sad if art didn’t change as we do. Art isn’t an inert, motionless thing. It is constantly changing with the artist – the meaning constantly changes.”

One turning point in Max’s personal and artistic journey was traversing the Historic Iditarod trail from Seward, AK to Nome. The original surveyed mail route between these points measures an approximate 938 miles, and the total mileage for the historic trail system (including side and connecting trails) is approximately 2,300 miles.

Prepared with gear and provisions and armed with his sketchbook and camera, Max set forth on his journey, documenting segments on social media, following a dotted line on a map. Max discovered during this journey that the trails are in danger. Many sections of the Historic Iditarod trail were overgrown and unrecognizable as a trail, as nature worked hard to reclaim it.  

With the ease and development of cars and planes, less and less are using these ancient routes. But he says there’s an unbroken language to them. He hopes that this newfound love of trails with the public will help increase awareness and funding. “There is so much to learn from these trails” lifetimes and more – there are new stones and new layers with each journey. Using his sketchbook unlocked complex thoughts in both his life and these adventures, as it helps Max process the feelings he experiences. It’s a tool to capture and feel, especially how this trail both effected Max himself and how it historically affected (even currently) the remote Alaskan communities. Max aims to release a film about this in the fall.

About 5 years ago, Max accompanied a group on Kayak Island with the intention to make a film about the marine debris found on its shores. During and after the trip, he had to take a step back and really process what he’d witnessed. “We hear about the millions of tons [of waste] that end up in the ocean, thousands on Alaskan shores… but when you see it in person it feels too big to take on; something like a never-ending problem without a simple solution.”

Max needed to wait until the right moment to share. This year, Max recently embarked on a trip to Kodiak, and this month Katmai – partnering with both Island Trails Network and Ocean Plastic Recovery organizations. He hopes to make a short film on marine debris and the effect on Alaska, using sketches to capture what words cannot say: “perhaps the only way to capture what words cannot say will be through this imagery”. The weight he felt on Kayak Island about one person being too small to fix the issue can be addressed by one thing: teamwork. He hopes to inspire others to band together and work toward solutions. He aims to collaborate with other artists, using art as a tool to bring awareness and make things much more accessible to the greater public as we work toward nursing our beautiful planet to health.

We are grateful to carry such incredible work from artists with big hearts and burning passions here at Forests, Tides & Treasures, and consider many of them family. Thank you to Max Romey for interviewing with us and bringing us through his Alaskan journey. It is our goal at FTT to bridge the gap between artist and consumer and embrace the humanity that we all share. After all, we are better together.

Our July 2021 First Friday Art Walk event is not business as usual, as we have an entire family bursting at the seams with artistic ability - thus we are featuring the Brace Family in an Art-A-Palooza!

Read on to learn more about Annie Brace of Corso Graphics, her daughter Eliza and son Cooper - their relationships with art, aspirations, and our beloved state of Alaska. 

It only seemed right that we featured one of our newest vendors: 
Jacob Design Co. - Handmade Hardwood Cutting Boards
Military Family Owned & Operated - Originated in Seward!