Monica Raphael

Woodland porcupine quillwork is a traditional customary art of the Anishinaabe inspired by the floral and fauna of the woodlands. The customary art works are created using the woodland porcupine quill on birch bark quillwork technique using a small needle awl, tweezers and scissors. The porcupine quills were harvested, washed, sorted and dyed using natural plants, vegetable and commercial dyes. The birch bark was traditionally gathered on the Lake Michigan shorelines. Most works are backed with brain tanned smoked deer hide and finished with various sizes of antique and vintage seed beads 24K gold and sterling silver seed beads as well as beads made from semi-precious and natural mineral stones. The artist has digitized the designs from the traditional works and printed designs on a sustainable fabric made from recycled plastic bottles to create linings for the works as well as contemporary clothing. All natural materials were traditionally harvested and prepared by the artist.