Learning by Doing Northwest Coast Native Indian Art [Paperback]

Karin Clark (Author), Jim Gilbert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 23, 1993

This book contains step-step instructions and illustrations on the basics of drawing, designing, painting and carving in the Pacific Northwest Coast Native Indian art style.

Fifteen educationally based concepts are arranged from simple to complex, with each step building on the previous. Over 300 black and white detailed illustrations and 32 photos enhance and clarify the straightforward instructions. Durable soft cover, 8 1/2" by 11" black and white, 160 pages.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A comprehensive look at a unique art form... an adjunct to teaching Native art and studies in the classroom. -- Jim Clayton - Elementary School Teacher. Victoria, B.C.

A good reference and guide book for teaching Pacific Northwest Coast art. -- Victor Newman - Kwagulth/Salish Artist, First Nations Art Teacher, First Nations Education Division Greater Victoria School District. Victoria, B.C.

An incredible teaching resource that can be integrated into the curriculum for the teaching of art in a comprehensive manner. -- Nella Nelson - First Nations Education Division Coordinator, Greater Victoria School District, Member of the Tsawataineuk Band, Kwakwakawakw Nation. Victoria, B.C.

About the Author

Karin Clark. -- Writer/teacher/artist Karin Clark has had over 20 years experience working with children and adults. Most of this time has been spent learning and teaching with British Columbias First Nations in public and private schools, colleges, art classes, aboriginal/social studies courses, and university teacher education programs.

In her first book, Learning by Doing Northwest Coast Native Indian Art, co-authored with Jim Gilbert, she used her experiences and training in special and cultural education to produce an easy-to-follow, beginners skill development curriculum designed to foster respect for First Nations culture through art.

Karin spends her work time evaluating teaching/learning strategies and materials; creating curriculum material, writing story books and readers; using frameworks to create First Nations language programs; creating material and workshops to: enhance self-esteem and motivation, create Native Indian art, learn and teach using the Cognitive Education Method (CEM) - 6 keys to success, identify and explore your own personal learning styles and strategies; identify, strengthen, and remediate thinking skills and strategies; train instructors, paraprofessionals and curriculum developers; and designing flyers and brochures.

In writing Learning by Designing Pacific Northwest Coast Native Indian Art and Learning by Doing Northwest Coast Native Indian Art with Jim, Karin has been able to use all her skills and experience to create a useful resource for artists, students, teachers, and collectors.

Jim Gilbert. -- Born and raised on southern Vancouver Island, author/artist Jim Gilbert has had a lifetime of exposure to, and experience with, Pacific Northwest Coast aboriginal art. For the past thirty years, Jim has been a serious student of the culture, heritage and art of the coastal First Nations people. Jim also learned from his father, Harry Gilbert (1898 - 1967), who painted and carved in the Native style. A versatile and award winning artist, Jim works in all mediums in both traditional and contemporary art styles. All his designs are original, using centuries-old conventional design elements, structure and colour. His artworks can be found in collections worldwide.

In the two-volume publication, Learning by Designing Pacific Northwest Coast Native Indian Art, companion for the previously published Learning by Doing Northwest Coast Native Indian Art, Jim shares his passion and respect for the art form and passes on his own training, understanding, skill, and experience with traditional art apprenticeship methods. Jims understanding of effective methods of passing on artistic knowledge and skills is partly the result of experience gained while teaching First Nations art in Victoria public schools and through giving workshops and seminars. Jim also used his artistic skills to create over fifteen hundred original illustrations for the two volumes of Learning by Designing as well as illustrating Learning by Doing.

Jims long association with many First Nations artists working in all of the four art styles represented in these books, along with his qualifications as a biologist, teacher, artist and author make him uniquely suited to be involved in the production of this extensive, working guide and reference book on the aboriginal art of the Pacific Northwest Coast.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Raven Publishing (July 23, 1993)
• ISBN-10: 0969297912
• ISBN-13: 978-0969297918
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #788,473 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent material for artists and art lovers., October 26, 2001

By 

"bolavis" (British Columbia, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learning by Doing Northwest Coast Native Indian Art (Paperback)

As an admirer of native art and a novice carver, I have found new appreciation for this beautiful art form. This book (and it's companion, Learning by Designing) have provided a means for me to advance my skills as well as become more familiar with some of the features making northwest native art geographically unique. It provides ample and readily usable information. After only a short time, I am applying design concepts to my own work. The two books complement each other very well, and I eagerly await the next volume.

I would like to recommend this book to anyone working with native art themes as well as those who appreciate or collect it.

Thank You for the wonderful material!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Classroom in-a-book, August 14, 2007

By 

Kara Stenberg "Howlsthunder" (Alaska) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learning by Doing Northwest Coast Native Indian Art (Paperback)

This book is definetly geared toward a classroom environment, consisting mostly of worksheets/quizzes on basic design elements. The excercises are also very basic, involving tracing dot-to-dots, filling in missing areas of a design, etc. While this would be great for elementary school/middle school kids, it isn't as useful for independent learners, though there are good tidbits of information here and there. Also note that this book (and the other two books in the series) do not deal with meaning at all - they are purely concerned with the technical aspect of the art.

In terms of the technical aspects of learning Pacific Northwest Coast art I highly recommend Clark & Gilbert's "Learning by Designing, vol. 1" and Bill Holm's "Northwest Coast Indian Art: An Analysis of Form".

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on Northwest Coast art, April 10, 2001

By 

Fabrice (Belgium, on extended visit to Vancouver Island B.C.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learning by Doing Northwest Coast Native Indian Art (Paperback)

While visiting the Northwest Coast of British Columbia we wanted to learn more about the art styles and methods of drawing NW Native Indian art. This book, along with Learning by Designing (from Raven Publishing) were our favourites. Because of its step by step methods and sample drawings we were able to easily re-create and paint our own authentic designs. We highly recommend these books.