Follows the Spirit

Follows the Spirit, 20 x 30, oil on linen

This may be my final American Indian painting for the year 2012.

The Plains Indian wear eagle feathers wrapped with trade cloth. His face is painted white with red dots and a blue/black Coup mark

SOLD

Sacred Spirit

 Sacred Spirit, 30 x 30, oil on canvas

This Plains Indian wears a headdress of feathers, trade cloth and beads. His face is painted blue which is a sacred color in some tribes. The hand on his face represents a battle honor. It is a Coup mark which indicates that he has gotten close enough to touch an enemy in battle. This is considered braver than killing from a distance.

SOLD

Beaded Moccasins

Beaded Moccasins, 8 x 10, oil on board

These Plains Indian Moccasins are heavily beaded with red, white, blue and green seed beads.

This is one of my few small oil paintings available. It is framed and ready to hang.

Contact me if you are ready to purchase.

Sees for Miles

Sees for Miles, 30 x 30, oil on linen

Otter Breastplates were worn by the Plains Indians and were commonly decorated with Trade Mirrors
Fur traders introduced Trade Mirrors to the American Indians in the 17th century. Reflective surfaces were thought to have mystical powers and these mirrors were quickly adopted for use as decorative additions to warbonnets, otter breastplates and bustles, as well as for signaling mirrors.

Contact me if I can assist you in purchasing this painting from Red Willow Gallery

SOLD

Cowgirl Demonstration Final

Wishin' on a Star, 40 x 30, oil on linen

This is how the painting is finished on the 5th day. I "oiled in" the painting, that is I brushed the painting with walnut oil/mineral spirits and then wiped most of it off leaving just a thin layer, then I did the final highlights, darks and blending. Oiling in is a fairly new technique for me but I'm liking the results.

I hope you enjoyed this demo. Would you like to see more?

SOLD at Lovetts Gallery, Tulsa

See Day 4 of Demo

Cowgirl Demonstration Day 4

Day 4 Demo,

Ok. The face is starting to look the way I want it to. The shirt is taking shape.

More layering and blending. Are you starting to get the idea? No big changes, just layering and blending. Darken the darks, lighten the lights, and get a smooth transition

See Day 5 demo

As Long as the Sun Rises

As Long as the Sun Rises, oil on canvas, 30 x 30

This Plains Indian wears eagle feathers and has his face painted white with blue and red.

Why do American Indians wear eagle feathers?  The eagle flies high and is thought to be a messenger from the heavens or a link between the spirit world and man.The feathers are given to tribal members when certain deeds, such as bravery, are preformed

SOLD

The Amulet at White Dog Gallery

The Amulet, oil on linen, 36 x 36

I'm pleased to announce that I have joined White Dog Gallery
They are a new gallery located at:
 50A Weant Blvd.
 Carbondale, Colorado 81623

They will have their opening on Nov. 02, 2012

My painting The Amulet will be one of 6 of my paintings that will be featured

SOLD

Cowgirl Demonstration day 3

Day 3 Demo

Layer and Blend, Layer and blend

I'm still concentrating on the face but slowly expanding to the rest of the painting. I've worked on the hat, hair and shirt.

See Day 4 Demo

Spirit of the Wind

Spirit of the Wind, oil on linen, 20 x 30

This mysterious looking Plains Indian has his face painted white with a red stripe. The Black Hand print indicates that he performed an act of bravery. He wears eagle feathers in his hair.

SOLD

Cowgirl Demonstration day 2

Day 2 demo

I'm just going to show the work I've done on the face because it's easier for you to see and because that's what I concentrate on most.After all, if the face isn't 'right' there's no point in going on with the the painting.

I paint in thin layers, building up the lights and darks. I'm also trying to get each shape correct at this point.

 I'm also blending the edges as I go along so there are no harsh changes between the shadow and light. That was one of the challenges of this painting because she has a definite shadow from her hat falling on the light side of her face plus some reflected lights in the shadow area.

I let this dry and do another layer on Day 3

See Day 3 Demo

Cowgirl Demonstration Day one

Day one Demo

This is how the painting looks at the end of the first day. Not much to look at.

I start by doing my drawing on tracing paper the same size as the canvas. When I'm happy with the drawing I transfer the major details to the canvas with carbon paper or transfer paper. I spray the canvas with a  fixative.

I then block in the masses of color and let the painting dry. Since I paint in thin layers, this usually dries overnight.

See Day 2 of Demo

See Preview

Bear Talisman

Bear Talisman, oil on canvas, 40" x 30"

This painting is a Plains Indian wearing eagle feathers and a beaded shirt He holds a shield on which is painted a bear. There is also a beaded talisman with a bear claw. The talisman is said to give the shield bearer the attributes of The Bear: Strength and Courage

Available

Silver Screen Cowgirl Demonstration

I've had several folks ask about my technique in painting my sepia Silver Screen Cowgirls so I promised to post a demo.

First, let me apologize for the photos. They aren't great. I photographed the painting at the end of each day. I paint under Daylight florescent bulbs which makes the image a bit yellow. Some of the images were taken with natural light. Anyway, I think you'll still get the idea.

This is my palette. The top left is Permalba white, the bottom right is Winton Raw Umber. I've mixed the two together to get seven more values. There's nothing exact about this, I just want a range of values.

Next: day one - blocking in the values

See Day One of Demo

Never Shall the Land Forget

Never Shall the Land Forget, 20 x 30, oil on linen

This Plains Indian wears a eagle feathers and his face is painted white and red with a black Coup Mark (hand).

SOLD

Angel of the Prairie

Angel of the Prairie, oil on linen, 36 x 30

This is my latest Silver Screen Cowgirl. Like the others in the series, this oil painting is in sepia tones to take us back in time to the Saturday Matinee.

The Cowgirl wears a beaded buckskin jacket and a cowboy hat. She holds her six shooter as she rests against a rail fence.

SOLD

Wears His Glory by K. Henderson

Wears His Glory , oil on linen, 30 x 40

Despite what you may have seen in the movies, the Plains Indians didn't (and don't) wear fancy beaded and quilled shirts everyday. They are for Special Occasions.

These highly decorated shirts were created for honored community members. The hair locks are said to embody personal power. And they add beauty to the shirt

SOLD

Wishin' on a Star

Wishin' on a Star, 40 x 30, oil on linen

By now you've figured out that I'm a fan of old (and not so old) western movies. Here is my latest Silver Screen Cowgirl.

The title was inspired by the lyrics from "Along the Navajo Trail". (Click the link to hear Sons of the Pioneer sing this classic song.)

I love to lie and listen to the music
When the wind is strummin' a sagebrush guitar
When over yonder hill the moon is climbin'
It always finds me wishin' on a star

"Along the Navajo Trail" as written by Dick Charles, Edgar Eddie De Lange, Larry Markes

SOLD at Lovetts Gallery in Tulsa

Go West

Go West, 16 x 20, oil on linen

This is the latest in my Silver Screen Cowgirl Series.

What do you think?

Two Gun Lady

Two Gun Lady, 40 x 30, oil on linen

This is another in my Silver Screen Cowgirl series. This Cowgirl is ready to take down the Bad Guys while still looking beautiful.

SOLD

Huey's Fine Art

Strength of the Sun, oil on linen, 30 x 30

I'm excited to announce that I am now represented by Huey's Fine Art in Santa Fe. They are located at 129 West Palace Ave. Please stop by and see what they have the next time you're in Santa Fe

SOLD

Heart Song

Heart Song, 30 x 30, oil on canvas

This modern day Pow Wow Dancer wears Beaded hair ties and medallion. Eagle feathers adorn the young woman's hair.

Sold

Ode To Hollywood

My painting "On the Fringe" is in this show

Ode to Hollywood, opening Saturday, August 25th 7-10pm
Jeanie Madsen Gallery
1431 Ocean Ave
Santa Monica Ca 90401
jeanie@jeaniemadsengallery.com
310-393-7436

Focus is on culture(s) of Hollywood/Los Angeles. Come and get inspired and get excited again about why you live here....or visit here..

We have selected over 30 contestants Art Works and will be showcasing all their works this special evening

Come judge for yourself who should win and why.Winners to be announced @9:00pm

Flies Like the Wind by K Henderson

Flies Like the Wind, 36 x 36, oil on canvas

I'm pleased to have recently sold this painting. Although I have enjoyed painting horses throughout my career I suspect that this will be my final equestrian painting.

Flies Like the Wind depicts a Plains Indian holding a shield with images of horses. The background also has horses similar to ones found in ledger drawings or story robes.

SOLD

On the Fringe

On the Fringe, oil on linen, 40 x 30

This oil painting is my most recent in my Silver Screen Cowgirl series. Don't you love those crazy fringed cowhide cuffs?

Available

SOLD

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Strength of the Sun

Strength of the Sun, 30 x 30, oil on linen

This Plains Indian wears a bonnet of feathers, beads, bells, ermine tails and trade cloth. His face is painted white with a black Coup Mark (hand).

SOLD

Years Have Gone

Years Have Gone, 20 x 30, oil on linen

This Plains Indian wears eagle feathers and has white face paint.

What is the meaning of the face paint in my American Indian paintings?

American Indians painted their faces for decorative purposes and for protection against the wind, sun, snow and insects. Designs of various kinds were used to designate membership in certain societies, to prepare for ceremonies, to mark achievement and to mourn the dead. When used for personal ornamentation there was no guide to the way the paint should be applied beyond the fancy of the wearer or for personal identification.

SOLD

Out on the Plains

Out on the Plains, 28 x 22, oil on canvas

This is another in my Silver Screen Cowgirls series. This lady of the Wild West has the big hat, cuffs, big dreamy eyes and lots of Bling.

Golden Son Blue Moon

Golden Son Blue Moon, 36 x 36, oil on linen

In the Old Days pigments were made from vegetation, stones, soil and animal parts. These things were dried, ground and then mixed with with a binder (water, fat, saliva) to apply to the face and body.

The red stripe represents a tear shed for those that fell in battle

This plains Indian wears a headdress made of eagle feathers, trade cloth, beads and ribbons

This painting is available for purchase

SOLD

Guiding Eyes

Guiding Eyes, 40 x 30, oil on linen

This Plains Indian has his face painted white with a black hand or coup mark.

He wears a feather headdress with beads and ribbons.

SOLD

Be Sure to Drop by Lovetts Gallery Tulsa

Silent Sentry, 48 x 24, oil on cradled board

I want to remind you that I will be in Tulsa next weekend at Lovetts Gallery and I would love to see you there

Lovetts Gallery Summer Perspective,
6528 E. 51st ST
Tulsa, OK 74145
Saturday, June 16th, 10:00-5:00

The show will hang until July 16

SOLD

Mystery of Time

Mystery of Time, 30 x 40, oil on linen

This Plains Indian's gaze captures you in a moment in time. You can see his accomplishment with the many eagle feathers in his headdress.

His face is painted white, red and black

Available

SOLD

Art Show at Lovetts Gallery

A Time of Honor, 36 x 30, oil on canvas

You may know that I attend very few art shows (I hate to travel). But when I was invited to participate in a show in my hometown of Tulsa I agreed to be there.

Lovetts Gallery Summer Perspective,
6528 E. 51st ST
Tulsa, OK 74145
Saturday, June 16th, 10:00-5:00

The show will hang until July 16

I'm looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting news ones. I hope you can make it.

Contact me or the Lovetts Gallery for more information

Rodeo Queen

Rodeo Queen, 40 x 30, oil on linen

Who doesn't love a cowgirl decked out in a big hat, scarf, Fancy gauntlets (I want a pair!) and boots? This painting is based on a Rodeo performer from the 1920's.

Available

When the Sun Has Set

When the Sun has Set, 48 x 24, oil on cradled board

This Plains Indian wears an eagle feather headdress and a buckskin shirt. His face is painted blue with a hand (coup mark)

SOLD

Heart of a Nation by K Henderson

Heart of a Nation, 30 x 30, oil on linen

This Plains Indian is wearing an eagle feather headdress. The shafts of the feathers are wrapped in red Trade Cloth. Bells, ribbon and cloth also adorn the band of the headdress.

His face is painted white with a black hand or coup mark.

Trade Cloth or "Stroud Cloth" was a cheap woolen cloth made from woolen rags and exported to the North American Indians. It was made in the town of Stroud in Glouchestershire County, England. The cloth was dyed red, blue, green, or black, and had a white edge that resulted from the dying process.

SOLD

Cowgirl Dreams

Cowgirl Dreams, oil on linen, 24 x 18

This painting is another in my series of Silver Screen Cowgirls. This little lady wears a hat, gauntlets, scarf and western shirt. The sepia tones brings us back to the times before Cowgirls were in Technicolor.

SOLD

Daughter of the West

A Cowgirl and her six shooter

Daughter of the West, oil on linen, 40 x 30

This painting is based on a 1920's era Silent Screen Cowgirl. The sepia tone captures the feeling of the first images of Cowgirls.

This painting will soon be on it's way to Lovetts Gallery in Tulsa. Contact me for more information about this or other paintings

SOLD

Hubbard Museum Biennale Grande

Summerfall, oil on canvas, 36 x 30

For those of you that will be in New Mexico in the next few months, be sure and stop by The Hubbard Museum of the American West for their Biennale Grande show.

The Opening Reception will be April 7, 1:00 - 3:00.
The Hubbard Museum of the American West
26301 Highway 70 West
Ruidoso Downs, NM
(575) 378-4142

The art will be on exhibit April 7 - July 15, 2012

A New Dawn

A New Dawn, 28 x 22, oil on linen

A young Plains Indian warrior prepares for a new day. He wears a beaded, eagle feather bonnet and a red scarf. His hair is tied in Trade Cloth. His face is painted with white clay. A red tear symbolizes those that have fallen in battle.

Contact me for purchase information.

SOLD

I Arise From the Dark of Night

I Arise from the Dark of Night, 30 x 40, oil on Canvas

SOLD!

The colors of the painting are almost monochromatic earth colors. The title comes from an American Indian story that tells of the Raven rescuing the stolen sun and returning it to the sky.

The Warrior wears feathers from many birds. His shield is painted with a bird image. He wears white stripes of paint on his face.

Arapaho

Arapaho, 30 x 30, oil on canvas

This painting of an Arapaho is based on an old Photograph. The Plains Indian is wearing a bone breast plate, a Peace Medal and a quilled shirt

SOLD!

Voice of Thunder

Voice of Thunder, 20 x 30, oil on linen

This is based on a turn of last century photograph. The Plains Indian is wearing a feathered bonnet with eagle feathers.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting please contact me for price and availability

The Traveler

The Traveler, 48 x 24, oil on linen

Breastplates had originally been worn as armor and for protection in both battle and hunting.
Later breastplates became a status symbol among many Native Americans.

History of the Hair Pipe

About the year 1880 the Plains Indians began to obtain a cheaper and much less fragile hair pipe.

Trader Joseph H. Sherburne's first year of trade with the Ponca, had among his wares a quantity of corncob pipes. The corncob bowls were equipped with bone stems. These pipes sold readily but without comment from the Indians. Upon his next trip to the Ponca, Mr. Sherburne found the corncob pipes in great demand. White Eagle, chief of the tribe, showed him an elaborate neck ornament made of the bone stems of the pipes strung on buckskin thongs. He wanted more pipestems in quantity. This began the commerical trade of the 'hair pipe'.

Trust the Soul

Trust the Soul, 20 x 30, oil on linen

SOLD!!

This painting shows a Plains Indian with a painted face. The painted hand indicates that he touched an enemy during a battle

The Delegate

The Delegate is 36" x 36", oil on linen.

This painting is a continuation of my 'Top Hat" series. In the 1880's The Powers That Be in the United States Government would invite American Indian leaders to Washington. There they were given gifts such as clothing, flags, hats etc. The recipient would then use these items as they saw fit. This hat is decorated with parts of a flag, an emblem from a helmet, ribbons and feathers

Contact me for price and availability

Biennale Grande Hubbard Museum

Waiting, 30 x 34, oil on canvas

Two of my paintings have been accepted into the 2nd Biennale Grande at the Hubbard Musem of the American West.
The 2nd Biennale Grande is a juried fine art competition that seeks to recognize and honor excellence in the contemporary visual arts of the American West. The art with be on display April 4th to July 15th, 2012 at The Hubbard Museum of the American West, 26301 Hwy 70 West,Ruidoso Downs, NM.

The Amulet

The Amulet 36 x 36, oil on linen.

This painting shows a dancer absorbed in the rhythm of the drums. He is holding a feathered fan and wearing a quilled medicine wheel with an owl feather in his hair. He has a feather bustle and his face is painted white, black and red. He is adorned with silver earrings and a small beaded amulet.

Contact me for price and availability

The Amulet

A Time of Honor

A Time of Honor, 36 x 30, oil on canvas

This modern day American Indian is wearing a Mop Top, Feathered Hat or also called Mandan Headdress. The origin of this hat comes from the Dog Men or Dog Soldiers The Dog Soldier was a common society amongst most of the Northern Plains tribes throughout the 18th century. As most societies which exsisted, it was exclusive to those who proved their worth both on and off the battlefield.