About Kevin  | Kevin comes from a family of traditional carvers. His family of carvers includes his late father, Alex Paul, Sr. (Colville tribal member), Alex Paul, Jr. (Colville tribal member) and his late uncle, Michael Paul (Colville tribal member). The finer details are hand-carved with adzes and hook knives. Visitors travel from many directions to visit the carver at his studio home in the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. The carving at left is a funerary pole, a collaborative work of several artists to honor the late carver, Jimmie Sam. |
| Kevin "Wa lee hub" Paul K. Paul Carvings, owner and artist.
Kevin "Wa lee hub" Paul, born in 1960, enrolled tribal member, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community; resident of Swinomish and LaConner, Washington. Kevin is a master carver of contemporary and traditional Native American carvings. Using red and yellow cedar, alder and pine, he carves in these styles: Coast Salish, Gitksan, Nis'gaa, Tlingit, Haida, and Kwakiutl.
Some family geneology and history. Kevin Paul is one of eight children born to Alexander Paul, Sr. and Isabelle (Alexander) (Paul) Yakanak. Isabelle was enrolled Swinomish. Her parents were George Alexander and Elizabeth (Scott) Sampson (later married to Al Sampson). Elizabeth was enrolled Tulalip (Snohomish) at birth and changed her enrollment to Swinomish when she married George Alexander in 1922.. George Alexander was Chairman of the Swinomish Indian Senate when the first Constitution and Bylaws were established on January 27, 1936, see: http://doc.narf.org/nill/Constitutions/swinomishconst/swinconst.htm (Also see 1930 era canoe photo at http://www.acadweb.wwu.edu/cpnws/photo_display.asp?CollectionID=272. According to 1921 Census, George Alexander’s enrollment number was “1”. His Indian name was “Welixeb” (Helper-in-the-Big-House – Swinomish). Isabelle's DOB was 5/1/1937. Passed away on 10/17/1992. Isabelle is the descendent (great-granddaughter) of Pateus, (Stick Sammish from Bayview who signed the Treaty of Point Elliott, 1855, Pah-the-us, Noo-Wha-ah, subchief. See: http://www.goia.wa.gov/Treaties/Treaties/pointelliot.htm ).
The following businesses carry Kevin's art: Go Outside, LaConner, Washington March's Point Trading, Anacortes, Washington
"Pursuing Excellence" commissioned by teachers at LaConner High School and hangs in the Landy James Gymnasium, LaConner High School. LaConner, Washington. "Pursue Excellence" was the logo of the late Landy James.
This paddle was presented to Washington Senator Patty Murrah by the Northwest Straits Commission. It is a wall piece, commissioned art by Kevin Paul. www.nwstraits.org
|
|