Fish
A member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Frank Finley is the eldest son of Octave and Edna Finley. Octave is the Salish War Dance Chief, and Edna is an expert beadwork artist and craftsperson, and both parents taught him about beadwork, art and native craftwork.
After graduating from Salish Kootenai College in Environmental Science, Finley took several art classes to expand his horizons. He learned silverwork from Hot Springs artist Leo Harteis, and more recently printmaking from another local Native artist, Corwin Clairmont. Intaglio and relief printing are Finley’s preferred methods, using plastic and linoleum as substrates. His subject matter often references petroglyphic and ledger art, incorporating color and shading in ways that give his images a distinct Native flavor.
Finley is the Cultural Arts Director at Salish Kootenai College where he teaches courses in Art and Native American Studies.