Aspen Decker

My artwork is created on authentic antique maps and historical ledger paper dating from the late 1800s to early 1900s. I work exclusively with colored pencil, ink, and acrylic paint, building imagery through careful layering and fine line work that responds to the age and printed content of each surface. As a Salish language speaker, I draw from Indigenous knowledge, oral histories, and ways of being passed down through my Salish and Kootenai people, often incorporating cultural imagery, Salish designs, and the Salish language. As the imagery is built, portions of the original maps recede, while significant place names and markings are intentionally left visible and integrated into the composition, reinforcing the narrative and place-based information of each piece. Finished works are created with archival materials to ensure longevity.