Arctic Cycles – Signed
$24.00 SKU: MBLAC-17Double-matted art card, hand-signed by Barbara Lavallee
- 8″ x 10″ double-mat, 4-5/8 x 6-5/8″ opening
- Printed in Alaska
- Sealed in a compostable plastic enclosure
Shannon worked three years on a setnet in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska. When working a setnet, salmon becomes your life – picking fish out of the net, soaking salmon in brine, drying salmon. With this image, Shannon shows all the birds and animals (eagles, orca, bears) in the area and their connection to salmon.
The moose, grizzly bear, black bear, Dall sheep, wolf, coyote, fox, caribou, wolverine, lynx, hare, porcupine, muskrat, weasel, marten, tree squirrel, loon, goshawk, gull, eagle, raven, spruce grouse, and magpie featured in this art are some of the animals that inhabit Interior Alaska.
“When I was teaching Alaska Native students, they would tell me how much fun it was to hop ice floes during break-up. Of course, their parents forbade them, but they did it anyway…just as their parents had before them.” ~ Barbara Lavallee
After leaving behind his friends the polar bear and brown bear, black bear went in search of his new home. Black bear knew he had found the right place when he discovered berries.
After Denali was created, Raven delighted in spending time there. Over time, he has flown from the bottom of the forest to up in the tundra. From eating berries to stealing M&Ms from climbers, summer always offers something for Raven. Here, Raven flies in view of the south summit.
This painting comes from the book Alaska’s Animals You and I that explores how we, both humans and animals, are all in this together. Despite our differences, we all share the world and need to take care of it for each other.
Early in her life in Alaska, Shannon spent a summer in the community of Hope. During that time, she had many encounters in the forest and coastal areas. This painting was inspired by her encounters with a fox and the many blooms of the state flower, the forget-me-not, that she saw that summer.
The three bears – black, polar, and brown bear – look over Alaska before getting ready to find their forever homes. While they all start their journey together to find their homes, the polar bear chooses the polar region, brown bear chooses the salmon stream, and black bear chooses the berries.
When she was a young girl living in Detroit, Shannon’s grandmother sent her mukluks from Alaska. She walked to school in them every day in winter. For this piece, she imagined what fun it would be to see moose in mukluks!
No. 1000 was the first diesel electric locomotive on the Alaska Railroad coming online in 1942. It is a 1000 horsepower diesel electic engine which could pull an average of 1000 tons on straight, level track. The engine is on display in Wasilla, Alaska at the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry.
Raven divided the night from the day, stealing the sun, moon, and stars from the heavens and bringing them down to the Earth. This way, Earth could have light so that trees could grow, the animals could hunt, and so that Raven’s people could thrive.
The Tongass National Forest is the last American rainforest. Its rich forest ranges from ancient old growth to new, with towering mountains and countless glaciers. It is home to seals, bears, birds, and much more. With this piece, Shannon captures the essence of this part of Alaska.
The book Alaska’s Animals You and I was a celebration of Shannon being able to paint again for the first time in eight years due to a medical condition. For the final page of the book, she imagined that all of the animals are singing in celebration of the Earth.
Raven soars to new heights in celebration of the beauty of Denali. As Raven cruises high in the sky, the sun is setting, and alpenglow begins to light up the mountain.
This piece imagines a world where it is the animals who get to enjoy a day of riding the train, with their wild counterparts driving the train. The passengers are thanking the train crew and the little train for such a wonderful day, and saying, “We had a great time!” upon arrival in Seward.
“Alaskan women love to fish! We’re happy to cut and bate hooks and best of all, reel in the fish.” ~ Barbara Lavallee
“An Eskimo drum is made from caribou skin stretched over a wooden hoop. When beaten with a stick, it is believed that the sound calls up the spirits provides rhythm for the songs and dances.” ~ Barbara Lavallee
“I love to play different patterns off each other! The quilter on the left always reminds me of my youngest sister…perhaps it is the glasses.” ~ Barbara Lavallee
“Every parent and every child has experienced the joy of spreading his or her arms as wide as possible to show the reach of their love for the other.” ~ Barbara Lavallee
“The clicking of needles, the warmth and texture of yarn, and the company of good friends make for pleasant times.” ~ Barbara Lavallee
“One morning, as I shopped at a local fabric store in Anchorage, I was treated to this vision of traditionally dressed Native women selecting the fabrics to make their kuspuks.” ~ Barbara Lavallee
“One morning, as I shopped at a local fabric store in Anchorage, I was treated to this vision of traditionally dressed Native women selecting the fabrics to make their kuspuks.” ~ Barbara Lavallee
“My sons grew up in Girdwood, where a “snow day” often meant the Highway was closed and they couldn’t get to Anchorage for school. It also meant new powder on the mountain which the Girdwood kids had all to themselves.” ~ Barbara Lavallee
“I painted this scene as a gift for my oldest son and his wife to commemorate their wedding at the iconic Crow Creek Mine in Girdwood. The Mine continues to be a popular venue for weddings.” – Barbara Lavallee
“Native women are sewing harbor sealskin garments which keep hunters warm and dry as they hunt for food and sea mammals on the Arctic coast.” – Barbara Lavallee
“Good night sleep tight, may your dreams take you on a wonderful flight.” – Barbara Lavallee
“Pieces of fabric patches together to provide warmth and sweet memories.” – Barbara Lavallee
“The idea for this painting came from a float in a Fourth of July parade in Sitka. Aboard a flatbed truck, the brightly painted canoe covered the sides of the truck and the Tlingits in their native dress sang and paddled as the float made its way down the street.” ~ Barbara Lavallee
“Gravity may not be a girl’s best friend, but we celebrate anyway.” ~ Barbara Lavallee
“Sea creatures, large and small, brightly colored and effectively camouflaged, populate Alaska’s icy waters.” ~ Barbara Lavallee
“The blanket toss is a favorite event at Alaska Native celebrations. It was originally a means to gain a height advantage to search for whales.” ~ Barbara Lavallee
“Starring” is an important event in the Alaskan Native observance of Christmas. A brightly decorated star, which twirls around, is carried by a child who is followed by the villagers. They stop at each home, where they share treats and sing songs.” ~ Barbara Lavallee