Northwest Coast Carvings by Noel Ashley

Noel was born in Bow Island, Alberta and shortly after moved to Edmonton. While studying in high school, Noel received a variety of art awards that encouraged him to pursue a career in this exciting and expressive discipline. After graduating Noel decided that he needed to expand his horizons and moved to Vancouver, where he was introduced to a family of native artisans and found himself studying and learning the art forms of the Northwest Coast Indigenous Peoples.

After turning 24, Noel found himself studying under the watchful eye of Gene Brabant, a well-known former instructor at Arts of the Raven. There was no turning back now for Noel, and over the years he continued to seek out and study sculpture and painting techniques under masters such as Tim Paul, Pat Amos, Norval Morrisseau, Glen Wood, Isaac Bignell, and Kevin Leycraft. At the age of 27, Noel was the first award recipient for a sculpture competition sponsored by the Alberta Indian Arts and Crafts Society. Noel has also received various grants from The Calgary Regional Arts Foundation, Alberta Arts Foundation, and The Canadian Native Arts Foundation. Noel once used his skill in mask sculpture for a stage performance, earning him a “Playwrights Award” sponsored by the Alberta Government.

In 1995, Noel was awarded a commission to produce an eighteen foot sculpture for the 4th Street Arts Society in Calgary and another commission from The International Native Arts Festival to carve a 30 foot totem pole. During his career as a wood carver, Noel has produced numerous substantial totem poles for clients that can be found as far away as Washington D.C.

Describing his source of inspiration, Noel says “although my main focus has been described as being ethnocentric, I feel it had been a natural expression of who I was, and a service that was my privilege to offer. Lately I have been offered numerous opportunities to expand my horizons, to address more universal human concerns and themes, and I find these prospects challenging. Archetypes have always been a source of inspiration to me, and I feel that the use of masks is one of the bridges to expression of consciousness and ideals.”

Noel has travelled to Central America and Mexico with the express purpose of studying the philosophies and practices of local masters, who produce works often described as being profound in expression and meaning. The culture and art of the Mayan period has always been of interest to Noel. He plans on making future visits to further his studies of the art and techniques the area is famous for.

Noel exhibits regularly at the Triangle Gallery and offices of The International Native Arts Festival. Noel has been proud to call Calgary his home for the last 10 years, and he looks forward to the many experiences and opportunities that abound there.

Gaia

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Wood
Size: 17 x 7 Inches
Code No.: NA149
Price: $325.00

              

Orca Diving

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Wood
Size: 16 x 7 Inches
Code No.: NA155
Price: $225.00

              

Otter

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Wood
Size: 17 x 7 Inches
Code No.: NA161
Price: $225.00

              

Hawk Transformation

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Wood
Size: 16.5 x 7 Inches
Code No.: NA150
Price: $195.00

              

Loon

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Wood
Size: 7.5 x 18 Inches
Code No.: NA152
Price: $175.00

              

Wolf With Pup

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Wood
Size: 6 x 16.25 Inches
Code No.: NA160
Price: $175.00

              

Hummingbird

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Wood
Size: 10 x 15.5 Inches
Code No.: NA151
Price: $175.00

              

Beaver

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Wood
Size: 5.5 x 14.5 Inches
Code No.: NA144
Price: $165.00

              

Bear with Chief

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Wood
Size: 16 x 6.25 Inches
Code No.: NA143
Price: $225.00

              

Frog

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Wood
Size: 7 x 16 Inches
Code No.: NA148
Price: $150.00

              

Blue Jay Perched

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Wood
Size: 13.5 x 6 Inches
Code No.: NA146
Price: $145.00

              

Eagle

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Wood
Size: 13 x 5.5 Inches
Code No.: NA147
Price: $145.00

              

Wolf

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Wood
Size: 14 x 5 Inches
Code No.: NA159
Price: $145.00

              

Salmon

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Wood
Size: 5 x 16 Inches
Code No.: NA158
Price: $145.00

              

Moon

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Wood
Size: 8.75 x 5 Inches
Code No.: NA153
Price: $125.00

              

Blue Jay in Flight

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Wood
Size: 7 x 10 Inches
Code No.: NA145
Price: $110.00

              

Orca Jump

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Wood
Size: 8.5 x 5.5 Inches
Code No.: NA154
Price: $95.00

              

Raven

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Wood
Size: 9 x 5 Inches
Code No.: NA157
Price: $95.00

              

Rainbow

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Pine
Size: 12.5 x 7 Inches
Code No.: NA134
Price: $165.00

              

Wolf & Raven

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Pine
Size: 18.75 x 7.25 Inches
Code No.: NA114
Price: $225.00

              

Bear with Berries

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Pine
Size: 13 x 7 Inches
Code No.: NA136
Price: $175.00

              

Owl in Flight

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Pine
Size: 7 x 12.25 Inches
Code No.: NA137
Price: $175.00

              

Crow

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Pine
Size: 7 x 11.5 Inches
Code No.: NA138
Price: $175.00

              

Goose

Artist: Noel & Fred Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Pine
Size: 11.5 x 24 Inches
Code No.: NA116
Price: $275.00

              

Wolf

Artist: Noel & Fred Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Pine
Size: 18.75 x 7.25 Inches
Code No.: NA118
Price: $225.00

              

Bear & Trout

Artist: Noel & Fred Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Pine
Size: 16 x 7.25 Inches
Code No.: NA110
Price: $225.00

              

Dragonfly

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Spruce
Size: 17 x 14.5 Inches
Code No.: NA101
Price: $225.00

              

Orca

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Acrylic on Pine
Size: 22 x 8 Inches
Code No.: NA128
Price: $195.00

              

Deer

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Spruce
Size: 15 x 7 Inches
Code No.: NA99
Price: $165.00

              

Wolf

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Spruce
Size: 15 x 7 Inches
Code No.: NA92
Price: $150.00

              

Mountain Goat

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Pine
Size: 13 x 8 Inches
Code No.: NA33
Price: $150.00

              

Crow

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Spruce
Size: 7 x 14 Inches
Code No.: NA94
Price: $150.00

              

Grebe

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Spruce
Size: 16 x 8 Inches
Code No.: NA93
Price: $150.00

              

Wolf & Man

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Spruce
Size: 14 x 7 Inches
Code No.: NA91
Price: $150.00

              

Egret

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Spruce
Size: 14.5 x 7.5 Inches
Code No.: NA90
Price: $150.00

              

Badger

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Spruce
Size: 7.5 x 13.5 Inches
Code No.: NA88
Price: $145.00

              

Hawk

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Spruce
Size: 7 x 15 Inches
Code No.: NA85
Price: $125.00

              

Bear

Artist: Noel Ashley
Medium: Spruce
Size: 10.5 x 7.5 Inches
Code No.: NA81
Price: $125.00