Carve Your Own Totem Pole

How to plan, carve and paint your personal totem pole.

This well-illustrated guidebook includes the history of totem-pole carving and its West Coast native traditions, techniques and patterns. It examines the historic and modern tools involved. And it also presents great ideas for carving a totem pole, whether with traditional designs or more personal folk-art motifs.

Carving instructor Wayne Hill reveals how to select the right wood and use the correct tools to best advantage. Artist Jimi McKee shows how to create drawings and templates in authentic West Coast styles. There are also special notes on the meanings of figures, along with many instructions on painting your totem pole and recommendations for placement.

A folk-art family totem pole will be treasured for years to come. This handy illustrated guide includes all the background and information required to create one.