It has been a privilege to gain new friends and repeat customers throughout my art career. Since I began my 3-dimensional mixed media work in 1996, I have been fortunate to connect with so many of you. To show my appreciation, I started offering a 10% discount to my followers and members from all walks of life who have supported my family since 1996.

Pamela, my late wife, had just received a double lung transplant in Madison, Wisconsin, in December 1995. Our children, Kayleen, Aaron, Jeremy, and Caroline were still babies at the time. A huge Quyana Cak’neq (thank you) to Dora John, the grandmother of our children, who took care of them in Mekoryuk while we awaited the special operation. Today, they are all grown, and I have four grandchildren.

In 1996 this innovative artwork was inspired by an accident in my cousin Bryon Amos’s studio in Anchorage. While helping him with his soapstone carvings, a piece fell on the floor, resembling one of my 2-D paintings. A lightning bolt of ideas struck me, and I shouted over the machinery to Bryon, “Hey, iluq, I just got an idea for new masks on art,” to which he replied, “Ok, alright.” Without seeing the artwork, he didn’t fully understand my vision, so I borrowed some of his soapstone and created a few samples.

Soon, I was visiting other Alaska Native Corporation offices in Anchorage and frequently returning to Costco for oak frames. The pieces were a hit. Rather than cabbing, my late wife and I decided to get a minivan to make sales easier around town and at various events.

We survived the pandemic and inflation. Diving headfirst into my art in October 2019, not knowing that the COVID-19 pandemic would soon bring significant challenges. It was quite a time to start a new business, especially after leaving my full-time customer service job at the Alaska Commercial Co. in Bethel, Alaska. Art isn’t a necessity when emergencies and economic issues take center stage.

Then I broke my left shoulder in three places on hidden ice riding my fat bike in March of 2020, this was the time when I was just caring for my little granddaughter Stephanie. We both got sick from Covid -19. Karen Mae Jerry was a great help when I only had a one arm, and I cannot thank her enough during that rough time. Quyana Cak'neq Karen!

We managed to get by with the generous support from the food bank in Bethel. However, I always try and offer my services back to the community in other ways. It is a great place to live where neighbors help heighbors. Quyana Cak'neq Bethel!

Even though it was tough earning that last partial income, Caroline helped me develop about 600 items online during all that time, transforming artwork into modern apparel, accessories, and gifts, accessible to a broader audience, with repeat customers even outside of Alaska. Today, she holds two jobs to make up for lost income. She can also develop her own designs and apparel on her own time. A few of her hoodie designs are a hit.

TURNING THE PAGE

I am now turning the page on my 10% discount, which will still be available for members until the end of the year. I can’t even begin to count the number of loyal customers I’ve had over the years—maybe enough to buy half a house? 😂

This discount has been in place since 1996. Rest assured, I will continue to offer discounts, coupons, holiday giveaways, and your loyalty points will remain unaffected.

If you are considering purchasing with the 10% discount, now is the time, as this is the last year for the "indefinate 10% discount."

One of the doctors at the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation told me he bought one of my pieces in 2008 and brought it back to Iran. Now, an Iranian President owns one of my works. Additionally, my art has reached Poland, Israel, Germany, New Zealand, and Australia through my newfound friends in Bethel who have homes in those countries. One piece, called “Migration,” even sailed around the world.

Keep your eyes out for new designs.