We Take Care of Each Other

In this artwork, Denise Emerson draws on historical photographs to reclaim images of her Skokomish ancestors, the people of the river. Paddle in hand, three figures prepare to fish, while Elder Hleastunuh looks forward. These portraits are surrounded by traditional basket designs, and white disks along the borders symbolize the shells used on button blankets. A Twana phrase reminds us that Skokomish people have always taken good care of each other across many generations. In the words of the artist, “we are all connected, all women are Mother Earth, and because of our ancestors we are here.”

About Denise Emerson

Denise Emerson was born in Shelton, Washington, eldest daughter of Bertha Allen who was an enrolled Twana (Skokomish) Tribal Member and Danny Emerson, Sr. who was an enrolled Dine (Navajo) Tribal Member from Sanostee, New Mexico. During her childhood she watched her parents be creative in different ways. Denise’s father oil painted and sketched while her mother sewed and beaded during her free time. She believes she inherited both of her parents’ artistic talents and skills. Denise’s sketchbook went with her everywhere, including when she visited her aunt on the Skokomish reservation. She sketched during the drive to and from the reservation, and whenever her creative energy pushed her to draw. During her teenage years Denise began painting with acrylics, beading, sewing and expanding her artistic talents.

Denise learned how to back, edge, and fringe beadwork at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA), where she also took painting, drawing and design classes. At that time, she used colored pencils and graph paper to create bead designs. After many years of administrative work at the City of Seattle, Denise enrolled in the UW Graphic Design Program to bring more design training to her work. There she learned to use MS Excel and other software with a goal to design every piece with the family aesthetic in heart and mind.