Heart of Art: FTT Featured Artists & Vendors

The June First Friday is fast approaching, and we are stoked to be showcasing Meg Smith's artwork for the event! We've had Meg's work in the shop for years and are so inspired by her story and passion for her craft. Let's talk a bit about Meg and her journey as an artist!

Creating art, for Meg, is first and foremost about inspiration. Nature provides that inspiration, especially deep snow, flowing water, and Alaska’s abundant wild places. It all started on the beach, as a child, where she collected seashells to paint and give away as gifts. Meg studied graphic design in college and started her own business right after graduating. Her many adventurous side jobs, such as whitewater raft guiding and commercial fishing, further inspired her and helped shape her art. After moving to Alaska, she pursued another lifelong dream: becoming a pilot. Much of her current work, featuring an eagle-eye view of remote mountain landscapes, reflects this newfound passion. 

Meg's artistic process starts with scribbling down her initial inspiration in a sketchbook, or whatever she can find, and then taking that to her studio. She finds inspiration in experiencing Alaska's wildness - landing a plane on a glacier, ridge scrambling, a breath of icy air, some frozen eyelashes, you name it. The intention behind her work is to ignite that spark of magic she feels when enjoying the Last Frontier. She wants those who witness her work to feel that same spark, to feel the magic of Alaska. Meg specializes in painting and mixed media; her background in graphic design and illustration, combined with her natural artistic talent, truly does produce one-of-a-kind pieces. 

In her personal life, Meg truly does it all. She's an artist, a pilot, an adventurer, a mother, a wife. Meg and her husband built their home on a private airstrip located between the Chugach and Talkeetna Mountains. When she's not in her studio, she's outside taking inspiration from the mountains, glaciers, rivers, and vast wilderness that make up Alaska. 

Now that we've talked about Meg's story and artistic style, let's go over a few of our favorite pieces that we carry in the shop! One of our new arrivals, Make A Wish, depicts the rugged mountain peaks and dancing Northern Lights that paint our skies every winter. Meg's Flight Of Two piece encompasses her love for flying and experiencing Alaska from above. Two other staff favorites are Revelation and Under the Northern Sea; both pieces showcase the bounty of our land and the wide array of flora and fauna. 

You can find Meg Smith's work in our art gallery located in the Seward Boat Harbor or at our online storefront. We have lots of options in the shop, from framed canvas prints to notecards and stickers! Come by the store on Friday, June 5th, from 6-8 p.m. to witness her work and hear about it from our knowledgeable team! 

Could you provide our readers with a little background on yourself and how Aurora Hunter came to be?

Howdy, my name is Todd Salat (pronounced ThanxSalat) and my brand is Aurora Hunter.  I reside with my wife & business partner Shay in Anchorage, Alaska.  I grew up an Iowa country boy then went west for college where I earned a BS in geology at the U. of South Dakota and a MS in geology at the U. of Wyoming.  I then took a big right-hand turn to Alaska in 1989 when I scored a job as a petroleum exploration geologist. AND THEN, I witnessed the power of the northern lights, the aurora borealis, and a whole new dream entered my world!  After seven years in the corporate world, I resigned to become a full-time Aurora Hunter. That was 28 years ago and I’ve never looked back.

How cool that you turned your passion for the Northern Lights into a career! What do photography and art mean to you as an artist?

For me, art is an expression of creativity, and nothing gets my creative juices flowing like a grandiose aurora display. Composing photographs and preserving these stellar moments in Nature was a complete game-changer in my life. I went

from wanting to climb the corporate ladder to the other end of the spectrum, that of a self-employed nature boy. I've found that being a sole proprietor has been good for my soul! 

Where do you find inspiration for your art and your artistic process?

NATURE!  That’s where it’s at for me. All I need to do is step outside, look around and boom, I’m inspired. It kind of feels like teamwork where Nature presents an infinite array of art forms and it’s my job to locate, focus & compose the best elements into an aesthetically pleasing photograph.

As an artist, have you found that your art has grown or changed over time?

I don’t know if my art/photography has actually grown or changed much throughout the past three decades. From day one, it was all about composing an image while experiencing a heroic moment in Nature, and it still feels like that!  Getting what we call a “hero shot” is one of the best feelings ever. That euphoria seems to last for a long time but I'm always on the hunt for new images to refresh the feeling. 

As Aurora Hunter, is there a photo or an art moment of yours that you’re most proud of?

All my photos are my babies, but I’m currently smitten with a wall-hanger titled “Supernova.”  It’s a wide-angle northern lights shot that I took in

the Brooks Range of Northern Alaska and ranks as the most intense aurora display I’ve seen in my entire life!  This nighttime experience was mind-blowing and I get to relive that feeling every time I look at this image.

During Alaskan summers it’s too bright to see the aurora so I turn to my hobby; daytime photography.  Last summer I witnessed humpback whales bubble-net feeding in the Kenai Fjords out of Seward.  I found that absolutely thrilling so we’re proud to present a new print titled “Catch of the Day” and I can't wait to go on more whale watching excursions!

Incredible! We’re proud to carry both “Supernova” and “Catch of the Day” here at FTT.

Do you have any advice for other photographers or artists, especially those looking to turn their art into a business? 

Do what you love and the money will follow. A friend said that to me around the time I quit my good-paying corporate day job to be a self-employed photographer.  Making a living as an artist can be tricky & challenging, to say the least. Before I quit my day job, I tested the waters by setting up a booth at the Anchorage Market and had a go at selling my prints. Fortunately, this revealed great potential and gave me the confidence to take the plunge.  Find your niche, hone your craft, research good business practices (profit margins being key), then go out there and peddle your wares.  It’s like one big experiment that continuously evolves. 

I was very fortunate in that my wife & teammate, Shay, was on board pretty much from the beginning.  She’s the unsung hero here. I call her the backbone of the business and she runs circles around me!  It helps a lot to have a supportive significant other because there is a lot to do to make the business sing.  Financially, my best advice to anyone would be to save 10-to-20% of EVERYTHING you make, no matter how much it is, and develop a diversified investment portfolio.  The younger you start, the more it will compound. 

That’s great advice, thank you for sharing! One final question – is there anything else you’d like to add?

I would like to give a big shout-out to the staff & owners of Forests, Tides & Treasures for helping promote and support so many of us artists.  Also, a huge and appreciative “Thanxsalat!” to all the art collectors & customers out there.  Without your support, this lifestyle would not even be possible so thank you for the inspiration!

A huge thank you to Todd Salat, Aurora Hunter, for taking the time to speak with us about his process. You can shop his stunning photography in the gallery at FTT and in our online store. To keep up with Todd, you can find him on Facebook and on his website. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, readers! Here at FTT, we are so proud to carry incredible works of art from a number of talented artists based in Alaska and beyond. As we move towards summer 2024, we are bringing back our popular Heart of Art blog series, spotlighting our incredible artists and vendors. 

In honor of Valentine’s Day, we’re starting our first Heart of Art feature in 2024 with artist Kelsey Fagan of Elevate Art Studio. Put in Kelsey’s own words, “Art is how our hearts communicate - both with ourselves and with the world. Art allows us access to understanding, emotions, connection, and empathy that words can't come close to touching.” We think this is such an important sentiment today and beyond. Read on to learn more about Kelsey and her process: 

Could you provide our readers with a little background on yourself and how Elevate Art Studio came to be?

When people learn that my background is in art therapy, there's often an "aha" moment. My BA in psychology and MA in art therapy and counseling in combination with a life lived in beautiful places have provided the foundation for a style that has developed out of inward reflection and outward inspiration. I spent years working as the art therapist in a psychiatric hospital in Hawaii while also contracting with a juvenile sex offenders program and an out-patient eating disorder program. 

Over time, I learned that making my own art alongside my patients was a way to support their processes while showing them that art can be anything they needed it to be.

The ink and watercolor style that you now see in my work today was born during these years of experimenting with various forms of media, imagery and verbal expression, all created bit by bit in parallel with children, adolescents and adults struggling to move through their own countless challenges. 

When I returned to Alaska in 2013, I found myself needing a break from the therapy aspect of my work, but continued to create and had a number of shows at various galleries around Juneau. Over time, and specifically, after a 2018 fundraising project for the nonprofit Salmon Beyond Borders exploded into something much bigger than I expected, it became clear that people were responding to my work and that it was time to get both official and intentional. 2020 brought COVID into our lives and it seemed as though the universe was saying "Hey, if you're really going to do this, now's the time." And so, Elevate Art Studio became my full-time focus and I expanded my reach into galleries and shops across the state of Alaska and into Oregon. I now have work throughout the state in at least 10 different communities.

And while my life's focal point has necessarily shifted with the birth of my daughter, Wilder, in 2021, Elevate remains my sole focus in terms of work and business. 

What an incredible creation story for Elevate Art Studio! Could you touch a little more on what art means to you specifically?

Art is how our hearts communicate - both with ourselves and with the world. Art allows us access to understanding, emotions, connection, and empathy that words can't come close to touching. I include words and phrases in my work, but they come only after the imagery has come forward onto the page. The words allow for a deepening, but without the imagery, they'd lose their power. Because art holds space for everything - the dark, the light, play, heartbreak, sorrow, terror, joy, delight- everything, everything is possible there.

This is why people have such deeply different reactions to the same piece of art. And also why it's often scary to jump into our own art-making experience. We take our own experiences of the world and of life, of ourselves and of each other, and we bring that with us into every piece of art we look at, every piece of art we create. When there's something in a piece that somehow clicks with something that lives within us - a desire, an experience, a feeling, a knowing, it resonates. There's a wisdom and a knowing that's awakened within us that we don't always make space for or invite forward. And perhaps the most incredible thing about it is that it opens portals within ourselves and between ourselves and others, allowing for a deepening and a connection that gives way to something new. A new spark or a reminder of who we are, what matters to us, where we find joy, where we're closed, where there's longing that maybe we had pushed away. Art opens us up and allows us access to our own knowing, and from that place, we interact with ourselves and the world a little (and sometimes a lot) differently.

Where do you find inspiration for your art and your artistic process?

Quick answer- outside and inside. Outside in the magic that is the natural world, full of sharp edges and soft curves, bright colors and every shade of gray, movement and stillness. And inside myself, the thoughts and reflections of my own mind, my hopes and fears, delight and longing, sorrow and resiliency. 

I create from my mind's eye, rarely from photos or actual places because my perfectionist tendencies get in my way and I hear too many voices saying I'm getting it wrong. If I can let go of doing it "right" (as though there's such a thing), I can find flow. Or perhaps flow finds me. And that flow leads to an exploration of both place and of the messages I might find while sitting in the quiet of that place (really while sitting in the quiet of my own self). When you find yourself

somewhere exceptionally beautiful and you're just quiet, held by that place, a part of it, there's always a message there, waiting. Just for you. It is both for you and of you. I visit those places and tune in.

As an artist, have you found that your art has grown or changed at all?

My style has certainly evolved and most obviously, the landscapes have shifted from the tropical vibrancy of Hawaii to the temperate moodiness of Southeast Alaska and the cold, magical edges of Alaska's alpine, but the combination of inspirational imagery and messages of resiliency found in those places and moments remain. 

Early on, when I was starting to work in this way, the phrases were exceptionally long and were more like flowing journal entries, but in third person, almost like excerpts from a novel or a memoir. They were reflections of my life, my thoughts, my awarenesses. They were often quite long, and described the life of a third person "she", perhaps my way of distancing myself a little from my patients in my art process while I worked alongside them, or perhaps a way of distancing myself from my own experience a little in order to gain a slightly different perspective, who knows. 

Once I shifted away from doing therapy, my art also changed. Not only was I in Alaska rather than Hawaii, but I wasn't dedicating the vast majority of my time and energy to supporting others in crisis. I had space in a new way, both literal and figurative, and it seemed that the more space I had, the fewer words I needed. The lines became finer and more precise. The colors became more nuanced. The words and phrases became shorter and I found that rather than offering up

chapters, I wanted to share in-the-present-moment reflections. A landscape was created and the words would follow. Those words were somehow already living within that scene, within that moment, and they just needed to find their way to my pen. 

When people saw my work, they'd often (and still do) miss the words entirely at first, and they'd like the image, but it was when the words became clear that they'd say "yes". It hit them in that knowing spot. Something resonated. And the more precise, always present moment phrases were what took over. (If you notice, every phrase is very intentionally set in the present moment - "Dancing with Gravity", "Breathing in the Last Moment of Me Before Becoming Us", "Holding Space for Exquisite Uncertainty", etc.)

Can you tell us more about your body of work as a whole? 

While I work predominantly in ink and watercolor, my work has landed on everything from hats to beer labels to shuttle buses. What originated as a simple fundraising effort resulted in my creating an ongoing available collection of hand-printed hats produced by Aurora Projekt in Juneau. With imagery both above and below the brims, we use old-school foam front, and snapback truckers as a base for various images adapted from my original art which is then printed onto vinyl and heat pressed, each step done by hand. I've made these as fundraisers, as custom designs for heliski companies, and as simple fun and fresh ways to find some upliftendness in the world of regular old hat-wearing. Additionally, I've hand-painted hundreds of cork front baseball and trucker hats over the past number of years, using acrylic paint to create land- and mountainscapes that are then weatherproofed and worn as unique and wearable art pieces.

I've also worked with multiple Alaskan breweries, creating label art for various beers,

one being an annual fundraiser for a local avalanche safety group. There is also now a University of Alaska Southeast shuttle bus wrapped in my art, uplifting the campus and hopefully the student’s and staff's commuter moments. I strive to keep everything as local as possible, with giclée prints produced by Ice Fog Press, hats produced by Aurora Projekt, and cards printed by AKLitho all here in Juneau. Elevating the community through my own business has proven an important component of my philosophy and provides a pathway to shared abundance.

It’s amazing that your work has been able to be shared across so many touchpoints – is there a piece of art or an art moment of yours that you’re most proud of?

I created my first mural in 2020 at Rainforest Recovery, a substance abuse treatment facility here in Juneau. I had to experiment with how to translate my style and technique to a large wall and via acrylic paint. It took 65 hours and lives across the hall from the nurses' station.

I'm so grateful for the opportunity to contribute to creating an environment of support and resiliency for everyone moving through that space, clients and nurses alike, who work so incredibly hard. The phrase embedded in the piece is "Trusting in the Quiet Wisdom of This Moment". 

We love that! Okay, one final question, what advice do you have for other artists, especially those looking to turn their art into a business? 

As an artist who wants to create and maintain a business sharing their work, it's helpful to notice when your work is resonating with people. Get curious about that. It's also helpful to notice when your work is really resonating with YOU. Get curious about that as well. Find the balance between creating whatever it is that needs to come forward and creating work that really vibes with people. 

When creating your business, it's usually because you've discovered that these two things overlap - the art you're making resonates with people and they want to pay you for it. Yahoo! Awesome. That intersection is a sweet spot, but it can shift like a moving goal post and it may have everything or nothing to do with you. It can be hard, sometimes, to be honest with yourself about the intention behind your creation when that train starts rolling down the tracks. I've found myself creating art that I know will sell and I've found myself creating art that just needed to come into the world. They're not always the same pieces. Not everything you create will be celebrated by others. I'm constantly surprised by which pieces sell and which don't. Pieces I've made on a whim that I didn't think much about are still consistently selling. Other pieces that were deeply meaningful to me barely move. Art is so personal not only to the artist but also to the audience- allow yourself to be surprised by your art and by how it is received. Don't try to pin it down. Work. Play. Get curious. Don't judge. Don't attach yourself to a specific response. Keep creating.

We'd like to extend a huge ‘thank-you’ to Kelsey Fagan of Elevate Art Studio for taking the time to share with us for our first Heart of Art feature of 2024! To find out more about Kelsey and her work, you can find her on Instagram at @elevate_art_studio. To shop Kelsey’s work here at FTT, visit our online store or stop by our gallery on the 2nd floor of our home in the Seward Harbor!

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!

We are proud to feature 2 artist this month in our ongoing Heart of Art Blog series. Here we start with Alaskan Photographer 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.

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.

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.