My interest in King Island art and craft came from my family heritage. While growing up, my grandmother told stories of the island.  Observing my Uncle Lou’s stone carvings strengthened my sense of craftsmanship. The interacting designs and Arctic figures captured my imagination.  Spending time with my family gave me a sense of being from a place of ice, snow and the walrus.  Learning the precision of carving and construction, allowed me to establish my own contemporary style, focusing my creativity. My descent into studying the old ways of construction was done by building replications of skin boats from the 17th to the 19th century, an endangered craft.  The research and construction led to redesigning kayaks to custom fit kayaks...