Richard Shorty

Richard Shorty was born September 9th, 1959 in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada located north of British Columbia. He is a member of the Northern Tutchone Nation, a group that inhabits the western tip of the Territory. Richard takes the Raven, an important family crest symbol, as his own.

Richard moved to Vancouver in 1981 and became very involved in the Northwest Coast culture which inspired him to begin painting in the Northwest Coast Native style, specifically Kwakwaka’wakw (Kwagiulth). He was greatly influenced by such artist’s work as Roy Henry Vickers and Bill Reid. Richard enjoys painting on canvas and making limited edition serigraphs.

In early 1997, Richard took up the art of carving cedar wood. Finding it a challenge, he enjoys the medium. Since he is a natural artisan, it will not take him long to refine his skills.