Watercolors & Oils by Sandra Smith-Poling
For availability of originals, please contact us. Matted print sizes are: 11x14, 16x20. Additional sizes may be available on request.
|
Angyak Christening
W/C My husband, Mitch Poling teaches Kayak (Baidarka-skin boat) and Angyak (open skin boat canoe) building every summer at the Chugach Spirit Camp* at Nuchek in Prince William Sound, Alaska. In July 2006, the angyak was launched after the blessing by the Russian Orthodox priest (seen in the angyak). The angyak is seen here accompanied by 1-hole, 2-hole and 3-hole kayaks built over the previous years by the students and camp staff under Mitch’s instruction. *Nuchek is the Chugach Tribe cultural camp on Hinchinbrook Island. This scene is similar to when Nuchek villagers greeted Captain Cook on May 12, 1778 on his first arrival. The villagers came to greet Cook’s ship in angyaks and kayaks. I have had the privilege to be the camp physician and also art instructor for several years.
Size:
$ 50.00
|
|
Evening Paddle at Nuchek, Alaska
Jerry O’Brian was paddling this three man baidarka one evening at Nuchek. The dramatic sky and yet the stillness were intoxicating to the eye and just begged to be painted. My husband Mitch Poling taught baidarka building classes and I was the camp doctor and taught model baidarka and doll making.
Today, Chugach Alaska Corporation hosts a Spirit Camp at Nuchek. Chugach Alaska describes the program as follows: "On the shores of Nuchek Island, approximately twenty minutes by air from Cordova, with the Prince William Sound, children and elders of the Chugach people spend time together to relive their heritage. The camp is designed to raise awareness of the origin and history of the people in the Prince William Sound and to heighten awareness of their history and culture. Activities include gathering and preparing subsistence foods, language lessons, woodcarving, beading, traditional singing, and dancing. Storytelling with Elders provides important lessons in culture, history, and learning the values of the Chugach community."* Nuchek is an Alutiiq word that means the "last land before the open water." The Chugach people inhabited Nuchek long before it was "discovered" by Russian and European settlers in the 18th century. As a protected port at a wide entry point to Prince William Sound, Nuchek quickly became a center of commercial activity during its early settlement by European explorers. Many nations claimed the area. The invention of steam engines and the decline in the trade of sea otter pelts led to Nuchek's ultimate abandonment in 1925. 18th Century Nuchek A number of European explorers seeking new territory in the northern hemisphere landed on Hinchinbrook Island in the late 18th century. The English Captain, James Cook, dropped anchor in Prince William Sound at Nuchek, Hinchinbrook Island, on May 12, 1778, and the following year, Spanish Lieutenant Inacio Aretega, dropped anchor in Port Etches (Nuchek). Ultimately, however, Russian settlers maintained the longest lasting imperial presence during this era. In 1799, the Russian American Company (RAC) was granted exclusive trading rights in Russian North America by their government. During this time, it was customary for Russian settlers to pay the Chugach chiefs a salary in exchange for time spent hunting sea otters. This practice encouraged reliance on the trading post for other supplies and slowly eroded the subsistence economy of the Chugach. Another reason for Nuchek's declining popularity was trade. It had been a center for sea otter trading, which was a dying industry. As a result, the trade center of the Sound shifted a
Size:
$ 50.00
|
|
Gray's Log Cabin, Juneau
W/C David and Kristin Gray’s log cabin in Lena Cove, Juneau, Alaska. This is an historic log cabin that has been in the Gray’s family for generations. My husband and I spent three delightful days at their house for the 50th Juneau-Douglas High School Reunion for the Gray’s and my husband, Mitch Poling.
Size:
$ 50.00
|
|
Mount Ripinski, Haines, Alaska
W/C Haines Alaska was the setting for this painting. The mountain is a popular hiking destination. John and Lucy Poling built their house near the foot of the mountain, just about at the center of this painting.
Size:
$ 50.00
|
|
Humpback Visits Nuchek
W/C A pod of humpback whales came right up to our boat and dove beneath us just along Nuchek, Prince William Sound, Alaska. We were floating with the engine off and they were very curious, especially this one that I painted. Nuchek currently has a Chugach spirit camp every summer and my husband, Mitch Poling, teaches Baidarka building and I am the camp doctor and teach baidarka model and native doll making
Nuchek is an alutiiq word that means the “last land before open water”. The Chugach people inhabited Nuchek long before it was “discovered” by Russian and European settlers in the 18th century.
Size:
$ 50.00
|
|
Late Afternoon Kayaking
W/C On a late summer afternoon in the lagoon at Nuchek, our friends are seen paddling the baidarkas that were built at the camp. It was a beautiful, restful paddle. The salmon were jumping and sometimes we can see a raft of sea otters.
Size:
$ 50.00
|
|
McPhetres Cabin, Juneau
The Samuel A. McPhetre’s Cabin, at Tee harbor, Juneau, Alaska. Built about 1950.
Size:
$ 50.00
|
|
Otter and Ikamaq Angyak (Canoe)
W/C The Ikamaq (sea otter in Alutiiq ) is the name for the Angyak (skin and frame canoe) that was built by the BRIDGE native Alutiiq people currently living in Puget Sound. It was built under the guidance of Mitch Poling to participate in the 2010 annual Canoe Journey in Puget Sound. She is seen here in an allegorical return to her roots at Nuchek, Alaska where she is surrounded by rafts of sea otters.
Size:
$ 50.00
|
|
Porpoise Rocks
Watercolor: This is the view from Walter’s cabin. The fireweed and wild celery add interesting color and texture to the scene. Only seagulls were out on this day. Usually oyster catchers, ravens and eagles are about. It is very peaceful looking at the changing sky, water and reflections.
Today, Chugach Alaska Corporation hosts a Spirit Camp at Nuchek. Chugach Alaska describes the program as follows: "On the shores of Nuchek Island, approximately twenty minutes by air from Cordova, with the Prince William Sound, children and elders of the Chugach people spend time together to relive their heritage. The camp is designed to raise awareness of the origin and history of the people in the Prince William Sound and to heighten awareness of their history and culture. Activities include gathering and preparing subsistence foods, language lessons, woodcarving, beading, traditional singing, and dancing. Storytelling with Elders provides important lessons in culture, history, and learning the values of the Chugach community."* Nuchek is an Alutiiq word that means the "last land before the open water." The Chugach people inhabited Nuchek long before it was "discovered" by Russian and European settlers in the 18th century. As a protected port at a wide entry point to Prince William Sound, Nuchek quickly became a center of commercial activity during its early settlement by European explorers. Many nations claimed the area. The invention of steam engines and the decline in the trade of sea otter pelts led to Nuchek's ultimate abandonment in 1925. 18th Century Nuchek A number of European explorers seeking new territory in the northern hemisphere landed on Hinchinbrook Island in the late 18th century. The English Captain, James Cook, dropped anchor in Prince William Sound at Nuchek, Hinchinbrook Island, on May 12, 1778, and the following year, Spanish Lieutenant Inacio Aretega, dropped anchor in Port Etches (Nuchek). Ultimately, however, Russian settlers maintained the longest lasting imperial presence during this era. In 1799, the Russian American Company (RAC) was granted exclusive trading rights in Russian North America by their government. During this time, it was customary for Russian settlers to pay the Chugach chiefs a salary in exchange for time spent hunting sea otters. This practice encouraged reliance on the trading post for other supplies and slowly eroded the subsistence economy of the Chugach. Another reason for Nuchek's declining popularity was trade. It had been a center for sea otter trading, which was a dying industry. As a result, the trade center of the Sound shifted away from Nuchek to places like Valdez and Cordova where the fishing industry was growing
Size:
$ 50.00
|
|
Russian Chapel, Nuchek
Watercolor: Over the years I have watched the building of this chapel. I remember the big day when the onion spires were placed on top. It is so very peaceful in the chapel and this day the lighting on the chapel just said “Paint Me”. My husband Mitch Poling teaches Baidarka building and I am the camp doctor and teach model baidarka and doll making.
Today, Chugach Alaska Corporation hosts a Spirit Camp at Nuchek. Chugach Alaska describes the program as follows: "On the shores of Nuchek Island, approximately twenty minutes by air from Cordova, with the Prince William Sound, children and elders of the Chugach people spend time together to relive their heritage. The camp is designed to raise awareness of the origin and history of the people in the Prince William Sound and to heighten awareness of their history and culture. Activities include gathering and preparing subsistence foods, language lessons, woodcarving, beading, traditional singing, and dancing. Storytelling with Elders provides important lessons in culture, history, and learning the values of the Chugach community."* Nuchek is an Alutiiq word that means the "last land before the open water." The Chugach people inhabited Nuchek long before it was "discovered" by Russian and European settlers in the 18th century. As a protected port at a wide entry point to Prince William Sound, Nuchek quickly became a center of commercial activity during its early settlement by European explorers. Many nations claimed the area. The invention of steam engines and the decline in the trade of sea otter pelts led to Nuchek's ultimate abandonment in 1925. 18th Century Nuchek A number of European explorers seeking new territory in the northern hemisphere landed on Hinchinbrook Island in the late 18th century. The English Captain, James Cook, dropped anchor in Prince William Sound at Nuchek, Hinchinbrook Island, on May 12, 1778, and the following year, Spanish Lieutenant Inacio Aretega, dropped anchor in Port Etches (Nuchek). Ultimately, however, Russian settlers maintained the longest lasting imperial presence during this era. In 1799, the Russian American Company (RAC) was granted exclusive trading rights in Russian North America by their government. During this time, it was customary for Russian settlers to pay the Chugach chiefs a salary in exchange for time spent hunting sea otters. This practice encouraged reliance on the trading post for other supplies and slowly eroded the subsistence economy of the Chugach. Another reason for Nuchek's declining popularity was trade. It had been a center for sea otter trading, which was a dying industry. As a result, the trade center of the Sound shifted away from Nuchek to places like Valdez and Cordova where the fishing industry was growing
Size:
$ 50.00
|
|
Mama and Baby Sea Otters, Prince William Sound, Alaska
Watercolor: The lagoon at Nuuciq(Nuchek), has hundreds of sea otters, many with their babies. It is such a pleasure to see them as we kayak or ride the skiff around Nuuciq. In the summer of 2011, we made a trek with the O’Brian family to honor Jerry O’Brian who was the caretaker at Nuuciq until his death. His family sprinkled his ashes at all his favorite places around Nuuciq. While fulfilling this honor, we saw many sea otter families. Nuuciq has a Chugach spirit camp and every summer my husband teaches baidarka/angyak building and I am the camp doctor and teach baidarka models and native doll making.
Today, Chugach Alaska Corporation hosts a Spirit Camp at Nuchek, Alaska. The program is as follows: "On the shores of Nuchek Island, approximately twenty minutes by air from Cordova, with the Prince William Sound, children and elders of the Chugach people spend time together to relive their heritage. The camp is designed to raise awareness of the origin and history of the people in the Prince William Sound and to heighten awareness of their history and culture. Activities include gathering and preparing subsistence foods, language lessons, woodcarving, beading, traditional singing, and dancing. Storytelling with Elders provides important lessons in culture, history, and learning the values of the Chugach community."* Nuchek is an Alutiiq word that means the "last land before the open water." The Chugach people inhabited Nuchek long before it was "discovered" by Russian and European settlers in the 18th century. As a protected port at a wide entry point to Prince William Sound, Nuchek quickly became a center of commercial activity during its early settlement by European explorers. Many nations claimed the area. The invention of steam engines and the decline in the trade of sea otter pelts led to Nuchek's ultimate abandonment in 1925. 18th Century Nuchek A number of European explorers seeking new territory in the northern hemisphere landed on Hinchinbrook Island in the late 18th century. The English Captain, James Cook, dropped anchor in Prince William Sound at Nuchek, Hinchinbrook Island, on May 12, 1778, and the following year, Spanish Lieutenant Inacio Aretega, dropped anchor in Port Etches (Nuchek). Ultimately, however, Russian settlers maintained the longest lasting imperial presence during this era. In 1799, the Russian American Company (RAC) was granted exclusive trading rights in Russian North America by their government. During this time, it was customary for Russian settlers to pay the Chugach chiefs a salary in exchange for time spent hunting sea otters. This practice encouraged reliance on the trading post for other supplies and slowly eroded the subsistence economy of the Chugach. Another reason for Nuchek's declining popularity was trade. It had been a center for sea otter trading, which was a dying industry. As a result, the trade center of the Sound shifted away from Nuchek to places like Valdez and Cordova where the fishing industry was growing
Size:
$ 50.00
|