Running Bear by K Henderson

Running Bear, 36 x 30, oil on linen

It's been a while since I've painted a Plains Indian Shield. It's long past due.

This shield shows a bear, red trade cloth, flicker feathers, eagle feathers and bells. The Plains Indian has his face painted white with red dots.

This painting is available for purchase.

Wings of Night

Wings of Night, oil on linen, 30 x 30

If you follow my work, you'll know that  I've been using a more subdued limited palette of colors in the past several months. I love the subtlety of these paintings, But I have gotten more than one request of "We want more color!"

So, In response, this Plains Indian is decked out with lots of RED against a blue background.

This painting is available for purchase.

I am Like a Bear

I am Like  Bear, 30 x 30, oil on canvas

Now we turn the dials of the Way Back Machine to the year 1998. There is an unauthorized version of my painting going around and thought I would set the record straight.

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Whispering Wind

Whispering Wind, 30 x 20, oil on linen
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American Indians used animals and birds to 'decorate' their clothing, shields etc. They wore the animal skins, claws, teeth, feathers and other parts in hopes that the attributes of the animal would pass down to them.

Birds symbolized anything from Truth, good luck, skill in speaking and many other traits.

Song of Life

Song of Life, 48 x 24, 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).

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Hears the Spirit

Hears the Spirit, 30 x 40, oil on linen

I've been painting several monochromatic, limited palette paintings lately and I wanted to paint something with lots of color. This painting is the result


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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

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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.

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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

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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

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