2 Ravens Studio

John Hoover is widely known for his Native American artwork. “Blue Jay Man Triptych” was inspired by boyhood memories of portable, Russian Orthodox icons that traveling priests brought to the artist’s Alaskan hometown. Drawing from his own personal mythology, John created his own version of the spiritual artifact. The “jay,” is in reference to his name and is one of the “inua” or animal spirit energies connected to the woodcarving. The artist’s own facial features and signature necklace complete the iconic self-portrait.

"Blue Jay Man Feast Dish," front and back

“Blue Jay Man Feast Dish,” also combines many layers of nature, spirituality and self-reflection. The feast dish is reminiscent of traditional, functional Aleutian artwork that John admired while discovering his own style of sculpture. Two Ravens Studio was honored to mold, cast and patina these cedar art forms for the artist and his family.

A. Phimister Proctor is one of the most prolific sculptors of western themed art. Proctor excelled at public monuments, Native American portraits  as well as wildlife sculptures. Big Beaver, a Blackfoot Indian, modeled several times for Proctor on the reservation, at Proctor’s home in California, and at his studio in New York City. The artist’s grandson, Phimister Proctor “Sandy” Church, founded the A. Phimister Proctor Museum near Seattle to preserve the legacy of his grandfather’s art. Church commissioned artist Jeff Oens for the restoration of his grandfather’s plasters to be recast in bronze and patinated by Two Ravens Studio.