Eric Parnell has become active as an artist since 2002, yet his artistic heritage as a member of the Eagleclan of the Haida Nation goes back many centuries. He has worked at many jobs over his life, but making simple sketches, “doodling,” as he calls it, was always a pleasure for him. His partner, also very artistic, began to notice his talent and encouraged him to devote more to his drawings and to show them to the public. Hetook her advice. Eric describes himself as “self-taught,” saying that “books were my teachers.” He studied the traditional Haida art forms in the books on this subject, learning the formal descriptions of the shapes and subjects of paintings and carvings and adapting and creating his own distinctive paintings within this tradition. He also began to share with other artists, absorbing their examples, their suggestions, but always following his own inner vision of what he wanted to portray. He specializes in limited edition prints, though originals can also be acquired. Eric also applies his impressive talent to drums, garments, table tops, and ceremonial gear.