A Blank(et) Canvas.

Our Rumpl Artist Division (R.A.D.) program has long been a platform for showcasing artists, photographers, and designers on our one-of-a-kind canvas.

These programs are limited in nature and celebrate creative expression in all its forms.

There isn’t a hard line between art and life for Crystal Worl. It’s all connected: culture, environment, community, and the quiet moments in between. Based in Juneau, Alaska, Crystal’s work draws from her Tlingit heritage, translating generational knowledge and values into something that feels both deeply rooted and entirely present.

For this latest Rumpl Artist Division capsule, Crystal explores Wooch Yáx̱, a Tlingit value centered on balance. Not as a fixed state, but as something you move through and practice. We caught up with Crystal to talk about where her work comes from, how she approaches formline design, and what balance looks like in everyday life.

THE CONVERSATION

How did you first get into art?

Art has always been a part of my life. It wasn’t really something I decided to do; it was just always there. Growing up, it was part of how we learned, how we connected, how stories were shared. As I got older, it became more intentional. I started to understand the responsibility that comes with it, not just making something, but understanding where it comes from and what it represents.

Your work is rooted in Tlingit formline design. Can you talk about what that means to you?

Formline isn’t just a style, it’s a language. It holds our stories, our values, our relationships. Every shape and line has a purpose. When I’m working in formline, I’m thinking about those connections and how to carry them forward in a way that still feels true. There’s tradition there, but there’s also space to interpret it in a way that reflects who I am now.

This collection centers around Wooch Yáx̱. What does that idea of balance mean in your life?

Wooch Yáx̱ is something you’re always working towards. It’s not something you ever fully have. It’s about paying attention to how you’re showing up in your relationships, in your work, in your community. It’s about balance between those things, but also balance within yourself. It’s something that’s always shifting.

Where do you find inspiration when you’re creating?

A lot of it comes from being home. Being in Alaska, being on the water, being around family. It’s less about searching for ideas and more about paying attention to what’s already around me. That’s where things start to come together.

How does that environment show up in your work?

It makes me slow down. There’s a different pace here, and I think that shows up in how I approach things. I’m more intentional. I spend more time with the work. I’m not trying to rush to an end point, I’m letting things take the time they need.

What was the process like translating these ideas into something functional like a blanket?

It was really about making sure the meaning stayed intact. I didn’t want it to feel like the art was separate from the product. The goal was for it to live together, where you can use it every day but still feel connected to the story behind it.

Each piece in the collection carries specific symbolism, can you share a bit about that?

A lot of the designs are about relationships, between Raven and Eagle, between people, between everything in the natural world. In our culture, those relationships come with responsibility. You’re always thinking about how you show up for others. That idea of reciprocity and care is something I wanted to carry into the designs.

What do you hope people take away from this collection?

I hope people feel connected to it in some way, whether that’s through the design, the story, or just how they use it in their everyday life. It’s meant to be something that’s lived with, not just something you look at.

OUT THERE

For Crystal, balance isn’t something abstract. It’s something lived. It’s in the way forms connect, the way stories are carried forward, and the way art becomes part of everyday life. In this collection, that balance shows up in every line.

THE COLLECTION

This limited edition Rumpl Artist Division capsule features four designs rooted in Tlingit stories and symbolism. Raven & Moon is a story of curiosity, creativity, and transformation. Eagle & Sun represents strength, knowledge, and preservation of culture. Our Clan Opposites reflects the balance and responsibility between Raven and Eagle moieties. Together represents community, collaboration, and shared creation. Each piece reflects Wooch Yáx̱, the idea of harmony, interconnection, and balance across people, nature, and everyday life.