Connect What is your favorite type of art to create?

Why My Favorite Art is a Living Bridge ​To ask an artist their favorite type of art to create is to ask which part of their soul they prefer to show the world. For me, as an Unangax̂ artist, my favorite work is not defined by a single medium, but rather by a specific purpose: the creation of contemporary-traditional synthesis. My favorite art to create is the kind that acts as a living bridge between the ancient resilience and the vibrant, evolving reality of Indigenous life today.

Where do you find inspiration?

Finding inspiration is rarely a single "lightning bolt" moment; instead, it is a constant process of observation, filtering, and connection. As an artist, I find that inspiration is less about waiting for an idea to arrive and more about training the eye to see the extraordinary within the ordinary. My inspiration is drawn from three distinct but overlapping wells: the natural world, the weight of history, and the quiet moments of modern life.

What would you do with $25,000?

With $25,000, I would invest in the long-term sustainability of my practice. First, I’d upgrade my studio with high-grade ventilation and archival storage to protect both raw materials and finished works. I’d dedicate a portion to a "Legacy Project"—traveling back to the Aleutian Islands to conduct deep-site research and document oral histories that inform my next series. Finally, I’d establish a small workshop series to mentor emerging Unangax̂ artists, ensuring the door stays open.