Todd Salat & Marisa Phasomsap

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April 01, 2021

Welcome to our Heart of Art Blog!

Forests, Tides & Treasures takes great pride in each artist & maker featured in our Seward shop. They are the pulse of what we do, inspiring our hearts to explore & create within our great Alaskan community and beyond!

Meet these creative minds -
Todd Salat (Aurora Hunter) & Marisa Phasomsap:

Todd Salat - Aurora Hunter (photography)

(Website: www.aurorahunter.com)

Todd Salat / Residing in Anchorage, AK

I started off working in Alaska as a geologist, then quit my corporate job to be an artist. That was over 25 years ago and I’ve never looked back.

(You can find the longer version of Todd's Bio on his website!)

When did you first start in photography?

When I was 9 years old and had the good fortune of being gifted with an instamatic camera. Been shooting ever since.

What inspires you to create?

Nature, especially Alaskan nature! I see so many cool scenes that I want to preserve with a camera. Then I can relieve the moment any time I want, forever.

What’s your favorite thing to see/do in Alaska?

The aurora is my favorite thing to see, and photographing the “lights” is my favorite thing to do. Exploring anywhere in Alaska or the world with my wife, best buddy & partner, Shay, is equally as fun!

What advice do you have for aspiring artists?

Do what you love and the money will follow. If you’re just doing it for a hobby, then be free. But if you’re hoping to do it for a living then it pays to keep track of what version of your art form sells the best. If you want to generate profitable income then it’s time to put on the savvy business hat. I do my own accounting & taxes so I have records of where every penny has come & gone for the past 25 years I’ve been in business. No doubt there’s a learning curve involved and I feel very fortunate that I love math & numbers, which has been key. It’s a boom & bust lifestyle so budgeting is critical. But enough about business, getting back to doing what you love is the unique gift you can impart onto the world! Show off your talent! I think the combination of passion & talent coupled with business sense is the magic equation for success & sustainability. In other words, ya gotta work hard, but hopefully it doesn’t feel like “work” most of the time.

Marisa Phasomsap

(Instagram: @marisa.p.art)

Marisa is also our in-house artist!

My name is Marisa Phasomsap, I live in Seward, Alaska, and I am 17 years old. I am born and raised in Alaska, and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. I have been creating art for as long as I can remember. My parents still have art pieces I made when I was five hanging on the wall, and each time I look at it, it reminds me of how much I’ve grown. My art has always reflected my home and the beauty around me. My favorite subjects to paint are the animals of Alaska and the amazing landscapes. I grew up playing in the mud, snag fishing, hiking, and camping under stars, so when I make my art, I try to capture those nostalgic feelings with each brushstroke I make.

Each time I start a new piece, I ALWAYS make myself a cup of tea. That is the only type of planning I do; everything after that is just following my gut and having fun. Something to remember is that there will always be haters and people who want to tear you down. The important thing is as long as you’re happy with your work and you feel satisfied, no one else’s opinions matter.