One of the first things you learn about John Bellis is that heB次元官网网址檚 far more comfortable talking about the works of other carvers.

Bellis, a member of the Haida Raven Clan, didnB次元官网网址檛 take up carving until he retired after 45 years as a machine operator with different logging companies along the coast of Vancouver Island.

B次元官网网址淚 was so busy raising a family and working that I didnB次元官网网址檛 have the time,B次元官网网址� said Bellis, who grew up in Masset on Haida Gwaii. B次元官网网址淚 wanted to find something to do when I retired and decided to start carving. Native art wasnB次元官网网址檛 popular when I was growing up, but I was surrounded by carvers where I grew up. ItB次元官网网址檚 part of my heritage.B次元官网网址�

His grandfather, Capt. Andrew Brown, was renowned for his wood and argillite carvings, a stone only found on Haida Gwaii.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 an unwritten law that only Haidas are allowed to carve it,B次元官网网址� said Bellis regarding Brown, who was born in 1865 and died in 1962.

B次元官网网址淎 lot of his work is in the Royal B.C. Museum. He also did totem poles and built schooners. Most of my work is inspired by books about old-time carvers, the works IB次元官网网址檝e seen at museums and what IB次元官网网址檝e seen on the Internet. I do everything from memory. When I carve, it feels like relaxation and meditation.B次元官网网址�

Bellis also relies on what heB次元官网网址檚 learned from other carvers for much of his technique.

B次元官网网址淐larence Mills is a master carver whose work is displayed all over the world, and he would teach me when he came to visit. Douglas Wilson, who passed away recently, was another master carver and good friend who lived in Victoria and taught me lot. He also did a lot of work as a teacher and counsellor with the Sooke School District. He was a natural artist, born with that gift. My son, Michael, is like that too. He does almost everything, totem poles, plaques, drums, and steam-bent boxes. Everyone is amazed at how quickly he picked it up.B次元官网网址�

Although Michael only began carving in 2018, the resident of Nanoose Bay has established quite a reputation for his work, which has found homes worldwide.

B次元官网网址淎fter years of being called Mr. Bellis, IB次元官网网址檓 now better known as MichaelB次元官网网址檚 dad,B次元官网网址� the senior Bellis added with a smile.

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B次元官网网址淢y oldest son, Noel, began making model canoes 20 years ago,B次元官网网址� Bellis said. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檝e grown in size quite a bit over the years, and heB次元官网网址檚 working on a 20-foot dugout now. He also does rattles and earrings. I have a lot of nephews and family members in Haida Gwaii that carve, and they all do beautiful work. Some can just look at a piece of wood and know what will come out immediately.B次元官网网址�

Bellis appreciates that wherever you go in this province, thereB次元官网网址檚 a community of carvers and artists happy to share their techniques and knowledge. B次元官网网址淭here are so many talented artists that donB次元官网网址檛 publicize their work; you wouldnB次元官网网址檛 know what they do unless you drive by.B次元官网网址�

ALSO READ: Sooke Indigenous artist finds beauty in natural world

Bellis said his wife, Carol, knows itB次元官网网址檚 a given that they will pull over wherever and whenever that occurs, including when theyB次元官网网址檙e on a vacation.

B次元官网网址淐arol knows the routine and always brings a book with her to read,B次元官网网址� he added with a chuckle while Carol knowingly nodded her head in a way that spoke volumes.

Bellis was chosen to create commemorative paddles for the people selected for the Goldstream B次元官网网址 GazetteB次元官网网址檚 Local Hero Awards for two of the past three years.

B次元官网网址淚 really enjoyed reading about the local heroes, people who have made a positive difference in their community,B次元官网网址� noted Bellis, who also carves totem poles, steam-bent boxes, rattles, and drums.

The couple moved to Sooke in 1974 to make it easier for their children to attend school and participate in the sports they wanted.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the nice people weB次元官网网址檝e met and the fishing thatB次元官网网址檚 kept us here,B次元官网网址� Bellis explained. We raised our four children here and Sooke has a special place in our hearts. We enjoy the time we spend with our eight grandchildren, soon to be nine, and three great-grandchildren, and they all come home to visit whenever they can.B次元官网网址�

You can find carvings by Bellis at Eagle Feather Gallery in Victoria and Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney. Email cbellis@shaw.ca for more information.

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