"In 1972 I discovered that making jewelry was very easy for me. It occured to me that it would be interesting to apply silver overlay as Coastal Salish design principals. The result was pleasing. In the beginning I was tentative describing myself as an artist. Then after a few years, I discovered my efforts were pleasing to people I had never met. That gave me the courage to continue the work.

    Eventually, my work evolved from jewelry to carving woods indigenous to the Olympic Mountains; carving as my people have done for thousands of years. I started carving in 1978. The focus of my work is pieces utilizing traditional Salish design elements in traditional bent wood boxes, bowls and masks. Occasionally I am led to once again produce pieces in silver.

    As Skokomish, it is natural that I know my connection to my ancestors.They work through me. As I carve, the pieces that emerge from my hands are given a life and energy that is not of me but is the work of the old ones working through me. Recently, the pieces that emerge are still traditional in feeling but have a contemporary edge. My prayer is that I am carrying the message that ancestors ask me to bring forward.

     Very close to four decades later, I still love the work. An artist is who I am. I find I am awake before dawn and cannot wait to get out to my studio. The work comes freely from the ancestors as artistic expression. I cannot imagine life without my work. I find I love it more every day.

My life as an artist is rich beyond my expectation. My goal is to continue working. Without question, I believe my work as an artist has made me a better person."

                     -Pete Peterson Sr.