ABOUT THE ARTIST:

I was born on the Quinault Indian Nation at a time when the fish was plentful and the waters were clear as crystal and the people still derived their livelihood from the natural resources that they had at hand. The rainforest was rich in bounty and all one had to do was step into the forest and there find food for his family and go to the river to find an abundance of salmon.

My late grandfather was a master canoe carver and my late grandmother a noted basket weaver and both spoke the native tongue. My grandfather sat as the tribal chief during the 50's and his brother, my uncle, did so around the same time years ago. My father was a fisherman logger and he provided well for me and my 7 other brothers and sisters. My mother cared for us well.

I began to be interested in the northwest style of art at the age of 5 and my mother told me that I drew a picture of a dog as my first project. Sunday school was the most exciting time for me because it was a time to hear stories and a time to color pictures. The sunday school teacher would give us a box of crayons and these were the giant crayons but they were all broken up but the box was always radiating with color and thats what propelled me into the art world.

As I entered into elementery school I was captivated by a new teacher by the name of Clarence Pickernell and soon found my self hearing legends and history and most importantly I was seeing a man create his own art right before my eyes. I began to draw all of his pictures and this is where I began to realize that this is what I would like to do for the rest of my life.

In highschool I was very fortunate to sit under a master carver of wood and a fine art artist. My fomal training was for two weeks and from him I learned the basics of northwest coast art.

I have been commissioned by the Quinault Tribe time and time again to creaet murals of various sizes and shapes and my art decorates the tribal complex and many of the tribal enterprises. I also design the labels for the famous Quinault Pride Seafood smoked salmon cans and packages.

In 2002 I began carving and since then I have successfully completed 3 totem poles varying in size from 10 feet to 22 feet tall and restored one that was 15 feet tall.

I have 4 children, Angel 11, Titus 13, charisse 15 and lastly Naeco Jonah 1 1/2 years old.

I am a single dad and I have my son Titus living with me in Taholah washington. I am the manager of the giftshop at the Quinault Beach Resort and Casino going on five years now and I carve totem poles on the side.

Randy Capoeman

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