Condolences have been pouring in for family members and friends following the death earlier this month of famed Penelakut Coast Salish artist Gus Modeste. He was 44.

Modeste had been living in Duncan in recent years to be close to doctors and the hospital while dealing with diabetes, heart problems and other health issues.

鈥淎 very talented artist,鈥� said Penelakut band administrator Jim Chisholm. 鈥淚 met him a few times, a real nice fellow.鈥�

Modeste grew up on Galiano Island and spent a few years in Nanaimo before going to live with his dad on Penelakut and attended Chemainus Secondary School where he honed his craft as a carver.

鈥淗e got a lot of encouragement from Walter Stoochnoff, a teacher there,鈥� said Modeste鈥檚 aunt Connie Crocker. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 where his life of carving began.鈥�

Modeste also drew inspiration from carver Francis Horne. A totem Modeste did stands as a legacy at the entrance to the high school.

Along with Doug August of Cowichan, Modeste did carvings for the site marker and nose of the aircraft that was sunk off Chemainus 14 years ago on January 14, 2006 to become a diving reef.

His carvings and prints can be found all over the world, including Brussels, Belgium.

One of Modeste鈥檚 most loved works, known as Mother鈥檚 Love, is a powerful interpretation of orca J35 from the southern resident killer whale population and her offspring.

He also did magnificent canoe designs, including one for his own Penelakut village.

鈥淗e had such a natural talent for drawing and carving,鈥� said Crocker. 鈥淚t just really developed and it seemed to happen so easily. He was just so talented.

鈥淚 think about him personally, I never had a boring conversation with him,鈥� she added. 鈥淗e was always very interesting to talk to. He had pertinent things to talk about and he was also very funny.鈥�

Comments poured in on social media as news of Modeste鈥檚 death spread.

鈥淗e opened my eyes to some of his views without effort,鈥� noted Shane Harper. 鈥淚 very much enjoyed some of his perspectives.鈥�

He did 91原创enal work,鈥� Wes Bissett indicated.

Rainforest Arts on Willow Street in Chemainus is hoping some of his work will surface from his studio and proceeds of any sales will go to his family.

鈥淗e had a collection of work that he had been preparing,鈥� noted Crocker.

鈥淗is work is a gift to the world,鈥� added Kathy Wachs of the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society. 鈥淗is character was strong and sweet. Condolences to the many who love him.鈥�

鈥淗e lives on through his art,鈥� Hanna Miskiman remarked. 鈥淐ondolences to the family.鈥�

鈥淭his is such sad news,鈥� offered Tammy Baines. 鈥淕us was such a kind person and so talented.鈥�

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