We are very pleased to present Traditional Coastal Salish Artist Charlie Craigan’s new design titled Ancient ones. The figure in the centre is the wild woman she is encircled by ch’inkw’u, both have been spiritual protectors of the shíshálh lands, waters, and people since time immemorial.
Charles’ ch’inkw’u, a double-headed sea serpent, represents a unique and fascinating symbol in Coastal Salish culture. ch’inkw’u’s two heads symbolise the male and female, or our mothers and fathers who are our first protectors. ch’inkw’u is also a protector of the people and creatures who live on the lands and waters of the Sechelt people. The ch’inkw’u embodies the essence of duality and balance, signifying the harmony needed to maintain order in the natural world. It serves as a reminder of the perpetual dance between good and evil, light and dark.
The wild woman of the forest, depicted in this artwork, is a captivating and enigmatic figure. Cloaking her eyes behind her long hair, she exudes an aura of mystery, magnificence, and power. She is a revered ancient protector of the waters, lands, and the myriad of creatures that inhabit her territories. Few are fortunate enough to witness her true form, but those who do are deeply humbled by her majestic presence. She epitomizes fierceness and strength, standing as an embodiment of the profound connection between humanity and the natural world.
In Ancient ones, Charlie Craigan skillfully combines intricate details and symbols that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the Coastal Salish people. His artwork not only celebrates the artistic traditions of the past but also serves as a potent reminder of the importance of preserving and respecting the ancestral lands and waters that sustain us all.
If you are searching for a piece that encapsulates the profound spirituality and beauty of Coastal Salish culture, look no further than Ancient ones. It is a poignant testament to the enduring legacy and wisdom of the indigenous peoples who have called the shíshálh lands their home for countless generations.
You can support Charles’s creative work by purchasing his designs at his T-spring shop. This not only helps Charles continue his work but also contributes to the global economy through the providing work for printers, suppliers, and which benefits all of our communities. Get your favourite designs today and make a positive impact!
Grandfather Moon is wise and loving, his presence in our lives is constant, he cautiously watches over us unseen most of the time he takes care not to overwhelm us with his powerful spirit, and deplete our energies.
Grandfather Moon is the one responsible for the flow of the waters, he is the overseer of the tides, he is the catalyst of birth, he fuels our passions, spurs our sense of justice, and lights our spirits when we are needed. Grandfather Moon connects us to our inner-selves, he connects us with our honour, integrity and determination, he inspires us to love ourselves but more importantly to love and protect that which is around us even more because without the rest of life and society we are all lost.
Click on any of the Images above to check out Grandfather Moon Merchandise Collections!
Created by T S Ni hUiginn in honour of her own Grandfather William and all the good men who’s efforts and toil benefit us all each and every day.
“There is a longing among all people and creatures to have a sense of purpose and worth. To satisfy that common longing in all of us we must respect each other.”
Geswanouth Slahoot (Chief Dan George)
Since time immemorial the salmon have been a significant part of our culture and identity. They sustained us with their flesh providing us not only nourishment for our bodies but also for our minds and spirits. Our very existence relies on the salmon and therefore we treat the salmon with the greatest honour through our art and in our ceremonies. Their incredible, mysterious life journey fascinates and impresses; travelling from the fresh waters streams of their birth out to the mysterious deep ocean for years until they incredibly return upstream to begin a new generation sacrificing themselves in the act. It is indeed a powerful thing to witness. Salmon are crucial to human beings which is why we need to continue to ensure their survival and our own.
"We are all one blood. No matter where we are from, we are all one blood, the same".
David Gulpilil Ridjimiraril Dalaithngu
This medicine wheel design isn’t just in honour of the Salmon and to remind us to be respectful. It was also created to honour, respect human beings have also co-existed on this planet since time immemorial and are also suffering terribly at this time. Although we may not all have the same exteriors, we all have the same interiors and biologically function the same way. As members of the human race we are all brothers and sisters where it counts which is under our skin where our hearts, intellects and souls exist, and we all share far more deep commonalities than superficial differences.
If you like this design or want to support the Uni EH artists check out our T-spring Shop for this design and more by clicking the illustration above.
This design is to honour all people of all origins who hold their heads high each and every day, who work hard, who respect themselves, their communities, their ancestors and the world around them by being the best they can be. This design is in honour of or those who love, learn and grow, who relish every moment of the gift of life and do not give up on themselves or put others down in order to build themselves up or as an excuse their lack of initiative. Success and happiness are not guaranteed in life, nor should they be, it is our responsibility to work to obtain our goals and we all have to work hard, and work together. We are also not the simplistic objects who were born incapable or evil because of how some ignorant fool defines our ancestry or sex, that is simply bigotry which I find abhorrent. Believe not in the bigots but instead in your ancestors, grandparents and family, hold your head high and most importantly be good to each other!
Thousands of years ago ancient people’s looked up to the stars and created some fairly interesting myths and stories to accompany the celestial sight. Overtime individuals known as astrologers mapped the heavens about and divided them into twelve equal sections. Further they insisted that the position of the stars when a person was born would determine the personality of that individual and this idea caught in a big way and started trending, and despite its lack of scientific basis, most modern people around these parts, believers or not do know what their astrological sign is.
Scorpio Zodiac Design by Charles J. Craigan
Sechelt Artist Charlie Craigan is creating the zodiac in his traditional pacific west coast native style. He has chosen to start the introduction of this series with the tenth and his own star sign, Scorpio. The only requirement for being a Scorpio is being born between October 23 and November 21. And if you were blessed with this star sign you allegedly have a forceful personality with a bit of a stinger, but are also brave, loyal and honest.
Whether you are a believer or just like the zodiac for fun Charlie Craigan’s Scorpio Design is available for purchase at his T-spring Store.
Little frog,
little frog,
snugly sleeping in the bog.
So petite,
with flippered feet,
catching tasty bugs to eat.
Charles J. Craigan’s Water Spirit design is a celebration of the spiritual and physical relationship between the frog and fresh waterways. The Frog is symbolic as spiritual keepers of fresh water and waterways and it is a reminder of that we must show appreciation for these brilliant creatures and the water’s they protect.
We think too small, like the frog at the bottom of the well. He thinks the sky is only as big as the top of the well. If he surfaced, he would have an entirely different view.
Mao Zedong
Frogs are important creatures, they are culturally significant and powerful to some, whereas others have far less respect for them. Some associate frogs with being unattractive or stupid but I have always found those comparisons unfounded. Frogs have proven themselves to be clever, resourceful and capable of survival when may of us would be challenged to do likewise.They are also a tasty treat for some although not to my personal taste, the heron however is far more fond of them than I. It won’t be long now until their beautiful voices rise in unison again announcing spring’s arrival once again, and spring without them would be unthinkably sad and lonely.
If you would like to support our artists, Charles Craigan’s Water Spirit Design is Available for purchase at his T-spring store. Clicking on any of the images will take you to his store.
That is the way it is done, the way it has always been done. Frogs have every right to expect it will always be done that way.
Winter always touches the world,
in magical ways.
It lifts the spirit
and brightens the day.
There is something amazing about winter days, I love how day to day the weather and the scenery is always exciting and new. We mainly have rain and wind storms but the snow falls are few and far between. At the sight of fresh falling snow boots and camera’s are immediately equipped and the traipsing about before it melts begins. So here is a bit of winter’s beauty and the results of a day of these efforts that I am sharing with you today!
One delightful little bird is the subject for many of my photographs, the tiny Anna’s hummingbird. I come across them frequently which is likely for two reasons: the first being they are native to this region and do not migrate and the second is that I grow climbing beans and they cannot resist. Growing these is easy, just a few seeds in a pot of soil will ensure you get hummingbirds for the full blooming season. Some people favour the male with his impressive red crown and would turn their nose up at this lady. However i think that the little female is beautiful and never miss an opportunity to capture that with my camera and share her beauty with the world.
‘The raven once in snowy plumes was drest, White as the whitest dove’s unsullied breast, Fair as the guardian of the Capitol, Soft as the swan; a large and lovely fowl His tongue, his prating tongue had changed him quite To sooty blackness from the purest white.‘
Ovid
People hold a long of different opinions about the Raven but whether you love or loathe this beautiful and intelligent creature may depend on your livelihood. Bards, poets and artists have long revered the Raven, it is often our muse, our master and our inspiration; whereas farmers have a far more dimmer view than we do and that is somewhat understandable. It did not escape my notice when once photographing a Raven that it was happily consuming a Rhode Island Red that it had acquired from a nearby newly established free range egg farm. They tell me that business is cut throat and predatory by nature and this fact also includes nature, or did in this case because the Raven’s got the spoils from that venture for sure.
‘It suits my own attitude toward the world and its people to believe that the Raven is this completely self-centered, uninvolved bringer of change, through inadvertence and accident, and so on… It’s a version of the Raven myth for today, not for the time when it was created.’
Bill reid
Raven Design by Salish Artist Charles J Craigan
Charlie Craigan’s Raven painting, in traditional Salish Native style, is a trickster, playful and clever spiritual guide and his intimate relationship with humans is illustrated by the figure in Raven’s wing. Culturally, historically and presently the Raven has and will continue to be an important creature and symbol to people of all cultures globally. Like with this design they are commonly seen as spiritual messengers and protectors, and stories of Ravens and their relationship with people are as normal and natural as life itself it seems. It is easy to see why they are admired by us as we observe their beautiful blackness, unique intelligence, romantic natures, amazing flight capabilities as well as the incredible courage and daring they demonstrate.
‘In the battlefield men grapple each other and die; The horses of the vanquished utter lamentable cries to heaven, While ravens and kites peck at human entrails, Carry them up in their flight, and hang them on the branches of dead trees.‘
Li Bai
They are associated with violence and death, of ill omen and fate and a flock of Raven’s is called a unkindness in the English language. Juvenile flocks of Ravens are very common and like most gangs of youth they can and do create havoc at times so this negative association may have some foundation. Ravens, like the Eagles and other creatures, survive by consuming carrion be it dead salmon by the spawning stream or dead warriors on the edge of a battlefield and it is this reality that unsettles us so much but is not evidence of Raven’s being evil in either scenario.
‘He that visits the sick in hopes of a legacy, but is never so friendly in all other cases, I look upon him as being no better than a raven that watches a weak sheep only to peck out its eyes.’
Seneca the Younger
It is however it is something found in the eye of the beholder, more than that of the creature itself that is behind their meanings and the stories. Or behind the human culture itself because it is unfortunate that many see the misery, war, illness and even death of other people as an opportunity to profit and nothing more. Those carrion consumers illustrate the darker and unpleasant side of the human reality that we are often discouraged to explore or if we do is often snubbed or ignored for lighter fair.For the truth is Raven, or what cultures and artists project onto them is reflective of who we are as individuals, communities and societies than it has anything to do with them. Ravens, you see, are competent and content doing their Raven thing and would be fine without our presences, but we are obsessed with them which is why they are always at the top of our favourite muses and subjects to explore. And how we respect or abuse them is a fairly accurate measure for how we treat the rest of the world as well.
‘I have created the Raven in my own image over the years and insist that mine is the version of this personality that is correct – well, at least it is correct as far as I am concerned.’
Bill reid
This version of Raven is one of Charles Craigan’s first paintings. Raven has a human figure in the wing signifying the spiritual connection between human, the inner child, the need to keep an open mind and a Raven that is universal and significant to many cultures. Charles’ Raven is a positive figure and this is meant to be worn or displayed in honour of that relationship by any or all people who also adore this beautiful creature.
Raven Design by Salish Artist Charles J CraiganRaven Design Phone Case by Salish Artist Charles J CraiganRaven Design Mug by Salish Artist Charles J CraiganRaven Design Cap by Salish Artist Charles J CraiganRaven Design Shower Curtain by Salish Artist Charles J CraiganRaven Design Hoodie by Salish Artist Charles J CraiganRaven Design Water Bottle by Charles J Craigan
Anyone who wishes to support Charles J Craigan by purchasing some of his art his designs are available at T Spring, the images link to his store.
Human beings come in all shapes, shades and sizes but despite these differences everyone of us possess a spirit and this design by Charles J Craigan is dedicated to this uniting feature we all share.
For it is the Human Spirit that fills us with rapture and joy, or sorrow and grief and despite our external differences internally we are all equipped with a spirit and all that that accompanies. It is our spirit that motivates us, that inspires us and aids us in reaching our full potential and that is true for all humans. Therefore it is essential for us to take care of and nurture our spiritual selves just as it is important to nurture and care for our physical selves. It is also important for us to be respectful of other’s and their spirits, and to be aware of how our actions can effect the rest of our communities.
Clicking on any of the Images to check out Spirit Merchandise Collections!
It is the Human Spirit which every human being possess which is intrinsic to who we are and what we achieve, not what we look like or what we wear. Human spirits are withing every person and with that in mind please be good to each other and respect all of our differences!
Grandfather Moon is wise and loving, his presence in our lives is constant, he cautiously watches over us unseen most of the time he takes care not to overwhelm us with his powerful spirit, and deplete our energies. Grandfather Moon is the one responsible for the flow of the waters, he is the overseer of the tides, he is the catalyst of birth, he fuels our passions, spurs our sense of justice, and lights our spirits when we are needed. Grandfather Moon connects us to our inner-selves, he connects us with our honour, integrity and determination, he inspires us to love ourselves but more importantly to love and protect that which is around us even more because without the rest of life and society we are all lost.
I first created him in honour and memory of my own Grandfather William who was a wonderful person, a good man so I painted his image to keep near me. But I redid his design and am sharing it with all of you to honour other good men whom I am very appreciative for in my own life. Do not get me wrong, I have had more than a few encounters with the other type of person and this honour is not extended to everyone who is male, only the Good solid men like my Grandfather was.
I chose the Moon as the image for males although it is not traditionally done as such however the qualities of the Moon as opposed to the Sun who I also painted in honour of my Grandmother Ruth. Their incredible relationship was the foundation of the parts of my childhood that were incredibly healthy and positive. He was incredibly supportive and allowed her to be all that she could and to pass her goodness onto the rest of us and due to that he never got as much recognition of attention from us.
Click on any of the Images above to check out Grandfather Moon Merchandise Collections!
And that is often how it is, there are very good men and women out there who never are shown the appreciation they deserve whereas they often get the brunt of abuse simply due to the wrongs of other not good people who unfortunately share the same sex with them. This is a great wrong and it is time to appreciate people for who they are and let them know that they are important to us all and that is what this design is about. So to all my good brothers out there, young and old, known or unknown to me, this is a symbol of my appreciation of all that you are and all that you do. Hold your heads up and be proud of the good man you are and thank you for all you do.
Grandfather moon was created with Gnu Image Manipulation Program.
The creative works, content and opinions Do Not represent the collective traditions or spiritual beliefs of any Indigenous Nation be they Salish or Gaelic nor are the artists spokespersons for their clans or communities, although they are proud of their heritage and families. The content and work are but the creative musings and intellectual works of the artists, and relate to their personal experiences and beliefs, nothing more.
The University of East Hastings 