BEHIND QAIYAAN

Christina (Chris) Fields was raised in Kotzebue, Alaska, where her grandmother taught her the art of beading and sewing from a young age. Encouraged by her father to explore various mediums, Chris later developed an interest in drawing and painting. Despite briefly delving into mathematics, she ultimately pursued her passion for art at the University of Alaska Anchorage, earning a bachelor's degree in 2017. 

 

When the pandemic hit Alaska in 2020, Chris rekindled her love for beading, leading to the creation of Qaiyaan, named after her Iñupiaq name.

 

Today, Chris is working as a surveyor and creates for Qaiyaan in her free time. In the near future she envisions Qaiyaan as more than just a side project.