Скачать или смотреть Intro to My Channel | Learn Formline with a Tlingit Artist

You’ve probably seen this art style before—but did you know it has rules, structure, history, and deep cultural meaning?

Formline is the traditional art form of the Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Coast, including the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian Nations. It’s used in everything from totem poles to printmaking and is rich with cultural history.

My name is Nick (Tlingit name: X̱wéech), and I’m a full-time artist, illustrator and graphic designer based in Seattle. I grew up in Southeast Alaska, surrounded by formline art, and now I use it in much of my professional work.

Like many Native families, mine lost a lot of cultural knowledge through past generations. But we’ve worked to reconnect—through dancing, weaving, beading, and learning traditional art forms. For me, teaching formline is about more than creating beautiful designs. It’s about rebuilding culture, sharing knowledge, and building community through art.

On this channel, I’ll be:
Teaching the foundations of formline design
Breaking down shapes, flow, and structure
Sharing cultural context and personal experiences
Uplifting Native voices and exploring Indigenous news

If you're curious about Northwest Coast art or ready to begin your own formline design journey, subscribe and follow along!