James “Kingsawin” Reed is an indigenous artist who creates traditional Pacific Northwest Formline Art. He is a 4th Generation Native American Shipwright and Artist raised and trained in the Pacific Northwest.

He is Tlingit, Cha’aak (Eagle) Chookeneidi (Bear Clan) from the Tongass People of Southeast Alaska, known as the people of the tides. For generations indigenous people have had a rich heritage as craftsman and artists. The Tlingit are artisans, mariners and canoe travelers, fishermen, hunters, gatherers, and traders. It was only natural for James to become a shipbuilder and artist like his Grandfather, Totem Pole Carver, Shipwright and Artist, Charles “Charlie” Brown who was the master carver of the totem poles in Saxeman Park in Ketchikan, Alaska. James’ mother gave him his Indian name, Kingsawin, which he uses also as his artist name. It was his Great Uncle’s before him and it is an honor to continue the tradition. As an emerging artist, Kingsawin has also has a line of jewelry and sculptures in development.

My name is Sheree and I am the digital designer who lays t the clothing designs in keeping with Kingsawin’s vision for his clothing line. We are both semi-retired from our other careers and 2020 was the year for us to follow the path to create more art. We are live aboard sailors and travelers. Please follow our travels us as we continue our journey on our travel blog website www.intotheemeraldblue.com and shop direct with us at www.shop.kingsawin.com.

The Rest of The Story

Recently we changed the name of our store to Kingsawin Designs because our clothing line is growing beyond Face-masks and James wishes his art to be recognized by his Indian name, Kingsawin. You can buy our most popular designs directly on our website at www.Kingsawin.com which better helps support his art.

Originally, in 2019, we had branded our Etsy Shop to “A Pony on My Boat”. As live aboard sailors, when we are traveling, and doing art shows, someone has to watch our boat.... Ha Ha! Pony's are very good at that. LOL. Seriously though, we were looking for a domain name and marketing plan that would feature the work of two artists, with different styles and embrace the fact that we live on a sailboat. At happy hour one day a friend randomly shared lyrics from the song "If I Had A Boat" by Lyle Lovett. Both of us had heard the song before and liked it very much. Kingsawin had always wanted to have pony and I had a horse farm for many years. We still spend part of each year on my daughter’s horse ranch in Texas however have moved on to market Jame’s art as Kingsawin Designs. Etsy requires we keep our old shop name, A Pony on My Boat.

As a painter I have a passion for quick, vibrant brush strokes of color. My Art on the Run series is created from photography of animals and things in motion. I have participated in ArtPrize of Grand Rapids twice and have been accepting portrait commissions since 2011.  I have been painting since high school and have been involved in the Visual Arts ever since attending New York School of Interior Design in New York City. From 2008 through 2018 I owned two different Art Galleries in Michigan. The first one in West Michigan featuring 25 new artists and my work. The second one featured primarily my own work as the artist in residence at an arts and adventure shop in Northern Michigan.

Together Kingsawin and I are excited to continue developing our clothing line, Kingsawin Designs.

Gunalchéesh,
Sheree Lincoln