John Oscar, also known by his Yup'ik ancestral name Atsaq (meaning 'berry'), grew up in Tununak, a small coastal community in the Bering Sea. John's experiences hunting, gathering, camping and assisting his father with his qayaq upriver shaped him. He learned about the interconnectedness of nature and animals, observed his eldes crafting wood into fish traps and harpoons, and attended walrus ivory carving classes at his Bureau of Indian Affairs grade school in Tununak, where he learned to make ivory earrings. In addition to his wall painting,s Oscar carves masks, crafts apparel, and accessories.