Art by Alaskan Native Tlingit Artist Kingsawin

Who is the Artist Ḵínsá win?

I’m James Charles Reed, a Tlingit artist from Southeast Alaska, proud to share my culture and heritage through my art. Kingsawin is my Tlingit name written in English spelling. In our Lingít language, it is written Ḵínsá win.

My name connects me to the traditions of my ancestors and inspires my work—where I blend traditional formline design with my own creative interpretations that symbolize strength, protection, and transformation.

As a fourth-generation shipwright, I’ve spent my life crafting vessels built for both strength and beauty. Now, I’m transitioning into art full-time, bringing that same dedication to craftsmanship into each piece I create.

Living aboard my sailboat SpiritHawk with my wife, Sheree Lincoln, I draw inspiration from the waters we navigate and the spirit of adventure that guides our lives. From fierce eagles to wise ravens, my designs reflect the enduring symbols of Tlingit culture, each piece carrying its own story of resilience and connection to nature.

— Ḵínsá win

james with a totem pole his grandfather worked on at totem bite in ketchikan
“Visiting Totem Bite Park in Ketchikan, Alaska was an incredibly awe-inspiring experience. Seeing the magnificent totem poles, many of which were created by my own grandfather, Master Carver Charlie Brown, was truly humbling. It was a profound privilege to witness his artistry firsthand and to connect with my family’s legacy within this significant cultural landscape.”

Shop our online store directly for a curated selection of our favorite items, including Dusters, featuring Kingsawin’s Tlingit formline art, available without any third-party fees.

  • Visit our Kingsawin Designs Shop for Dusters: Click Here

You can also find a wider range of our traditional formline art on accessories and clothing in our Etsy Shop:

Our Store
Our Etsy Shop

Ḵínsá win’s artistic lineage is deeply rooted in the rich traditions of the Tlingit people. He is the fourth generation in a family of renowned artists and boat builders, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Master Carver Charles Brown, and his great-grandfather, Chief William Brown. For the Tlingit people, art is an inseparable part of their identity, passed down through generations, and Ḵínsá win carries on this legacy in his own contemporary works.

To learn more about James Charles Reed, a fourth-generation Tlingit artist and shipwright, and the rich cultural heritage that inspires his work, please visit his About Page Click Here