Don Yeomans

Cast Forton

Limited edition of 12

“I love carving Octopus. The fluid, long tentacles and suckers make it detailed and challenging. In this panel, my mind went back to childhood when I was totally curious about what was ‘bigger and stronger’. Could this animal win a fight with that animal? The books I read about the Giant Octopus and a story my dad once told me about a crew member who almost got taken by a large octopus that was blown on deck when they were fishing halibut in the Bering Sea. My Giant Octopus is taking on a Killerwhale in this panel – who wins? I no longer care. It is the struggle that captivates my imagination.

When I released a resin cast edition of this piece, a collector told me it was too violent. I said, ‘No, it’s not!’, and I punched him (just kidding!). Violence is what people do. Animals merely survive.” – Don Yeomans

Red Cedar wood, Acrylic paint

Don Yeomans’ Killerwhale & Eagle Panel is a beautiful and dynamic depiction of two significant and powerful figures in Pacific Northwest Coast Indigenous culture. Carved from rich red cedar wood, the panel features a classic red and black color-scheme that is commonly seen in historic northern artworks. The vibrant red, combined with the dynamic expressiveness of the carving, easily captures the attention of all those in its vicinity. With such impeccable detail and fluidity, this artwork serves as a true testament to Don Yeomans’ skill as a master artist.

Red Cedar wood, Acrylic paint

“Originally, this panel was a naked yellow cedar board, but I added the white to highlight the undulating formlines, which are easier to see on a monochromatic surface. The main character is basically a mighty mouse, abstracted to convey how ideas emerge from my mind’s eye towards the hands – or in this case, the paw of the mighty mouse. The condensed figure within the eye is an embryonic idea.
Yup, that’s how they all look to me!” – Don Yeomans

Red Cedar wood, Acrylic paint

“In 1978, I did my first silkscreen print design. It was a red formlined transforming Raven. The people I showed it to said it was not traditional, as most designs have black formline and red fillers. Out of fear, I did a traditional Dogfish and released it together with my so-called radical red Raven.

To this day, red formlines make me a little nervous – but with this Killerwhale being one of my first uses of undulating formline, I needed to be bold. People believe confidence is the absence of fear when it comes to being accepted. In my experience, the fear never leaves, you just keep your nerves to yourself. Maybe that’s why it’s called ‘self-confidence’.” – Don Yeomans

Red Cedar wood, Acrylic paint

“My son, who loves France and is fluent in the French language, told me that the colours I used for this Hummingbird reminded him of the French flag. ‘Le Colibri’ is simply the French word for Hummingbird.” – Don Yeomans

Yellow Cedar wood

“This is one of the first pieces I carved for this show. It was abstract, in the sense that the parts of the bird had been rearranged to fit the circle. The main idea was to showcase a new style of design, where I use what I call, ‘undulating formline’. Traditional design uses shapes called ovoids and u-shapes, which in themselves are complete elements. In this new style, my elements go under and over and through. My first drawing of this style came to me about 20 years ago. Only in recent years have I been able to carve it to the level I imagined it at.” – Don Yeomans