Tlingit formline art is a living tradition – one I carry through every series I create. And join me on a journey through my various bodies of work, where I blend traditional Tlingit designs with contemporary expression. However, each piece reflects my cultural heritage and personal experiences, capturing the essence of subcultures, life and natural elements. Through vibrant colors and intricate patterns, I create tlingit formline art that is both engaging and culturally rich. I want to share the thinking behind each piece.
Now, the formline vocabulary – ovoids, U-forms, split U-forms – comes down to me through my father, a carver, and through mentors like Nathan Jackson. But these articles are where I unpack the process: the cultural grounding, the research, and the individual decisions that give each piece meaning. While you can find broader context on Northwest Coast formline art at Wikipedia, but the stories here are specific – to my own experience, family, and community. Since tlingit formline art has survived centuries of pressure to disappear, these articles are part of how it continues – through teaching, making, and sharing the work openly.
So dive into the series below, and read on to discover the stories, techniques, and inspirations behind each piece of tlingit formline art. – Weidaaka Yoodoohaa
Ancestral Echoes: A Tlingit Canoe for Celebration 2026
For the last month, I have been working on a new piece for the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, pronounced “search”. This project is a 40-foot fiberglass canoe that will travel from Sitka to Juneau for Celebration 2026. Because of the scale and the environment, we are wrapping the boat in vinyl rather than using…
Urban Spirit: The Sasquatch Between Two Worlds
“The spark for my new piece, “Urban Spirit,” ignited on the road. It’s a story about the push and pull between two different worlds…”
Neon Series: Tlingit Formline Art and Resilience
When tradition meets modernity, the lines begin to glow. Although rooted in ancient Tlingit design, the Neon Series pushes formline into vibrant, electric territory.
Seattle Waterfront Popup Mural
When formline moves into public space, it carries culture with it. Here is the process and story behind the murals for the Friends of the Waterfront.