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Here are the steps on how totem poles are made. Plan at a meeting of elders, sponsors, and master carver. Find a clear red cedar tree with few knots and imperfections. Master carver carves a small model of the design. The tree, a mature red cedar, is placed at a working height for the artist. In carving shed, tree is debarked and tested for imperfections. Then the wood is smoothed. Artist draws outline on wood. Carvers sing songs as they work and the figures begin to emerge. The master carver begins at the bottom and works up to the top. Bottom is carefully detailed by the master carver because observers see these figures close up. The story thins out at the top. The most important figures are at the bottom. Master carver chops out rough forms then discusses the overall concept of the pole with each new apprentice. Small poles take 2-3 months to complete. Large poles take 8-9 months to complete. Paint is the last thing. The carver chooses whether or not to paint the totem. Traditional paints used were orange, yellow, red, black, white, red-brown, green, and blue-green. Traditional colors were make from animal oils, blood, salmon eggs, charcoal, graphite, ochre, and moss. Natural and mineral dyes were bound with chewed up salmon eggs and bark. Brushes were made of animal fur.5 |
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