After 20 years of making art, I want to improve my flat design so I started sketching 1 hour every day, for 3 years. Then, to test myself, I made the “Final Exam” silver & 24K gold box, which was based on a piece, of the same name, by the legendary artist Bill Reid. Two years ago, my box was displayed at the Bill Reid Gallery in Vancouver, alongside the box of the master.

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#canadianAboriginalart #nativeindianart  #davidNeel

www.davidneelstudio.com 

 

One of the most graceful form line designs, an Octopus in gold with a unique turquoise setting.

 

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A Humpback Whale Pendant that I made for a customer who, while kayaking, had an encounter with a Humpback whale pod, that were “singing” together. That must have been something to witness.

#firstNationsart #nativeNorthwestart #nativeAmericanart #canadianAboriginalart #nativeindianart  #davidNeel 

 

A pendant I made for my niece, Marissa, to celebrate her recent kidney transplant. It is an Eagle coming down from the sky world with a kidney in its mouth.

-      Eagle pendant, silver with gold accents.

 

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Woodpecker’s wife was able to produce salmon berries at will, so the Myth People always had lots of berries. Thunderbird saw this and abducted her. Woodpecker and his people transformed themselves into salmon and allowed themselves to be caught by Thunderbird’s people. Then, Woodpecker was able to take his wife and return to their village.

Thunderbird pendant, gold & sapphire.

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I carved the Digital Trickster mask over 20 years ago & the digital age was just on the horizon. Who Knew how fast things would progress. Today, Musk says that A.I. is a threat to humanity & futurist Ray Kurzweil predicts we will merge with machines #ArtificialIntelligence  #firstNationsart #nativeNorthwestart #nativeAmericanart #canadianAboriginalart #nativeindianart  #davidNeel 

 

 

A lot of detail can fit onto a 1” piece of gold, if you put your mind to it.

Thunderbird pendant, gold with a sapphire eye

 

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#nativeindianart  #davidNeel

 

The Butterfly is the most graceful of Northwest Coast Native designs

Butterfly bracelet in silver & turquoise

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#nativeindianart  #davidNeel

 

                Isn't it something how a little abalone shell can make a piece come to life.

Bear pendant, silver with oxidization.

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A customer was good enough to send me a photograph of her ring being worn. An Eagle ring with her grandmother’s princess-cut diamond

 

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In ancient times, Raven and Mink met for the first time. Both being tricksters, they soon became friends. One day, they came to the sea & a whale took them, inside his mouth, & transported them to the mainland. The whale died enroute & they eventually washed up in front of a village. The villagers butchered the whale for its meat; Raven & Mink were released & they bolted into the forest.

-      Whale bracelet, silver with an abalone shell eye.

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#nativeindianart  #davidNeel 

 

 

 

A young boy went out every morning & returned with his blanket torn a frayed. His parents that he played with ravens, which gave him supernatural powers. He told the people to go to the beach, where they found a huge whale & they had a great feast

#firstNationsart #nativeNorthwestart #nativeAmericanart #canadianAboriginalart 

#nativeindianart  #davidNeel www.davidneelstudio.com

 

Once. a woman was taken & wed to the Bear Prince & they had 4 children. Later, her brothers found her & the prince offered his life to spare his children. The woman returned with them, while the children stayed to grow up with the bears

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#nativeindianart  #davidNeel #tribalart

 

The Eagle is a universal symbol or tradition and respect in the Native American and First Nations communities across North America.

Eagle Bracelet, silver with a gold eye.

 

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#nativeindianart  #davidNeel #tribalart www.davidneelstudio.com

Once or twice a year a make a hand-engraved necklace. It is comprised of many hand-fabricated pieces, takes a lot of hours & is a labor of love.

-      Wolf Necklace, silver, gold & sapphires.

 

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#nativeindianart  #davidNeel #tribalart www.davidneelstudio.com

 

 

I was very pleased to learn that the Canada Council Art Bank will be adding one of my pieces to their permanent collection. The Great Transformer mask depicts Quenekalak, who came down from the Sky-World with his brother, Only One. In ancient times, he travelled the Northwest coast setting things right; transforming evil people into animals and creating rich fishing and shellfish for those who were worthy.

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#nativeindianart  #davidNeel #tribalart www.davidneelstudio.com

Thunderbird & Wren

 

In ancient times, Wren was the chief of the Myth People & Thunderbird abducted his wife. Wren transformed himself into a silver-salmon & was caught by Thunderbird, who gave the salmon to his new wife to cook. Wren revealed his true-identity & told her to put all the bones into the ocean after the meal. When she did this the silver-salmon (Wren) came to life & rescued her.  

 

Thunderbird bracelet, sterling silver & gold.

 

#firstNationsart #nativeNorthwestart #nativeAmericanart #canadianAboriginalart 

#nativeindianart #tribalart #davidNeel

www.davidneelstudio.com 

 

In ancient times, a man went in search of supernatural treasures. He passed 10 mountains & then came to a lake. He bathed in the lake & hummingbirds covered his body. Then he was given a self-paddling canoe & supernatural gifts.

 Hummingbird Transformation Bracelet, 14K gold

 #firstNationsart #nativeNorthwestart #nativeAmericanart #canadianAboriginalart 

#nativeindianart #tribalart #davidNeel

www.davidneelstudio.com