Artmaking yields byproducts and these byproducts are useful.

Humisp̓ał (Scent of Cedar:) Hydrosols and Essential Oil Are Byproducts of Artmaking

There is a lot of cedar moving through the studio, and of course, we have a relationship with the trees when we are out on the land. Meanwhile, when creating botanical pigments you often need a preservative when creating paints or inks.

Last year we acquired a copper still for processing excess cedar into essential oil that we can use as preservative in our inks. Our first batch recycled the cedar boughs that Hupač̓asatḥ used on its fall fair parade vehicles. Over the course of the year we have also experimented with cedar sawdust and carefully harvested fresh boughs according to guidance from local Elders and a distilling expert. We recycled the Fall Fair cedar boughs again this year as well.

Distilling essential oil yields a by-product, hydrosol, a water with microscopic droplets of essential oil suspended in it. We are currently developing this delicious-smelling hydrosol into a packaged gift using the low waste and reusable ethics of the studio in our packaging. In tests, people are using the hydrosol as a room spray, for protection, for energetic reset, and simple enjoyment. We expect to have a finished product for sale in 2026.