Inuvik (Jul 07/06) - With just more than week until the Great Northern Arts Festival, artists like Patrick Harrison are busy with last minute preparations.

"I've been working on a few pieces but need more stone to start some other projects," said Harrison.

The carver has been filing rock for the past 25 years and owes his craft to his brother.

"I used to watch him carve when I was younger," said Harrison.

"My brother Carl passed away about 10 years ago and I kept carving."

Soapstone is his main medium, but Harrison said he doesn't mind getting a little creative with his pieces.

"I'll also use some caribou antler to mix it up a bit," he said.

Harrison said he remembers participating in the first Great Northern Arts Festival.

"I had a small carving done and it sold at the first festival in 1989," he said.

Although he hasn't been attending every festival since then, Harrison said he has been featured in at least a few of them.

He also noted that the festival has changed, with tighter restrictions on artist entries.

"I remember when they weren't so strict about how many pieces you needed to have," said Harrison.

"Now there's a minimum limit of carvings you need to be displayed."

Carving his art at home appeals to Harrison because it's always quiet and relaxing.

"I guess I just prefer my own space, eh," said Harrison with a chuckle.

Carving is what brought Harrison forward but he is now expanding his realm of creativity.

"I started painting a while ago and I'm still getting into it," he said.

Acrylic paints are now on his palette but he originally started with oil-based paints.

Harrison now finds himself picking up the brush more often because he is short on rocks to carve.

"I just finished with a few pieces left over from last year," said Harrison.

"I'm waiting for a better selection."

He likes making bigger pieces, which can have better detail said Harrison.