Glen Korstrom
Northern News Services

INUVIK (Jul 24/98) - Though Larry Robertson's primary job is as Inuvik's Anglican minister, he has a second job which also provides peace of mind.

That is the job of a soapstone carver.

"It's great therapy to get my mind off concerns of people, the day and work as a minister," he says behind a booth at the Great Northern Arts Festival while sanding a small soapstone igloo.

"The whole idea of finishing something people enjoy to look at is great satisfaction."

Some of the flat igloo-shaped soapstone pieces are green. Others are white, gray or black. Robertson said he will etch all with lines to indicate snow bricks and glue pins on the back to create broaches.

Robertson, 44, has lived in the North for 22 years, and five of those years have been in Inuvik.

The Toronto native has also spent time in Cambridge Bay, Holman, Gjoa Haven, Baker Lake and Fort Simpson.

Twelve years ago, Robertson started carving soap stone when he watched a man named Henry Ford carving. Ford told him, "Don't watch. Do," Robertson said.

Since then he has "done," though he is not able to spend nearly as much time on his art as he would like.

Most of his work is small jewellery, which was inspired by Robertson's stint in Fort Simpson where he said small rocks were plentiful.

He experimented with muskox bone but returned to his favorite medium -- soapstone.

For the past 22 years, Robertson has been married to Sheila, and the couple have three sons: David, 21, Jonathan, 18, and Timothy, 12. David lives in Edmonton while Jonathan and Timothy still live in Inuvik.

Outside work he likes playing chess and he has volunteered with the scouts, cadets and on the Great Northern Arts Festival board.

This is the fourth festival where he has made and sold artwork and he said he was looking forward to putting on a workshop at this year's festival.

"It's a cheap way to make Christmas presents -- that's part of the reason for my staying with it," he jokes.

Other than igloos, Robertson also carves Inukshuk, which he says make a good guide.

"I use it in a sermon as (the Inukshuk) points to God and gives direction both spiritually and physically."