Why I paint American Indians

I recently was asked this question and thought you may be wondering the same:

"I'm not going to ask the usual questions, about photos, models ect. But why Indians?"

Good question "Why Indians?" I think it's because of where and when I was raised.

I grew up in Oklahoma, Land of the Red man. I lived there most of my life until I moved to New Mexico. So American Indians are familiar to me.

I also grew up when television was dominated by Cowboys and Indians. American Indians are nostalgic for me.

I'm also of Cherokee heritage so American Indians are family to me. 

A Time Ago - American Indian Portrait

A Time Ago is 18" x 24" oil on canvas
This painting is available at Red Willow gallery in Tubac, AZ

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Spirit of the Night - American Indian Portrait

I've been adding posts to my blog as Icomplete new paintings. I've decided to revisit some of my older work and share them here.
Spirit of the Night was completed in 2000. It is 40" x 30" oil on canvas. The shield represents Heaven and Earth

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A Woman of Wisdom – American Indian

A Woman of Wisdom is oil on canvas, 18" x 24".
The painting shows an American Indian woman wrapped in a robe and wearing an eagle feather in her hair. She stands looking out at the rising sun.

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Sees the Clear Sky - American Indian

Sees the Clear Sky is oil on canvas, 30 x 36. The Plains Indian is wearing a painted shirt and a black robe. He has eagle feathers in his hair. The back ground is a painted skin showing a horse raid

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Cowboys and Indians magazine - Dec 2009

I'm a bit late in announcing this but better late than never. 

I hope you got the chance to see the Dec issue of Cowboys and Indians magazine. They had a nice article about me on page 74.

It wasn't exactly accurate. I have NOT gotten bored with painting American Indians and I continue painting them.

Click on the image above to read the article

The Delegate - American indian

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

Holiday Miniature Show - Gallery 822

Kachina, 8" x 10"

Take a trip to Santa Fe Thanksgiving weekend and stop by Gallery 822 on Canyon Road. Small works by the galleries 13 artists will be available for purchase.The artists will be in attendance Saturday, Nov 28 3-5 pm. Yes, I will be there, too!

My painting Kachina will be available. It is 8"x10", oil on board

Bear Shield Talisman - Oil painting

Bear Shield Talisman is oil on canvas, 12" x 9".

The PlainsIndians would have personal talismans that they could wear as hair ornaments, clothing adornments or hang from their shields, horses, doorways etc.

This painting shows a beaded crystal attached to a shield painted with an image of a bear.

Best of Show - Heart of the West

I am pleased to announce that I won the Best of Show award at the Heart of the West Invitational Art Show and Sale in Lander, WY. 40 western artists from throughout the U.S. are invited to this show & sale.

The winning painting is Summer Lightening, oil on canvas, 20" x 30"

American Art Collector - Nov 2009

Here's an article about me in the current , Nov 2009 issue of American Art Collector magazine. If you click on the image it should be large enough to read

UPDATE: Here's a pdf of this article Courtesy of American Art Collector magazine.

K. Henderson's art in Gilcrease Museum American Art in Miniature

American Art in Miniature is an annual tradition at Gilcrease Museum. This year’s exhibition runs October 24 – November 8, 2009. To purchase a piece of art, plan to attend the American Art in Miniature Reception and Art Sale, Thursday, November 5, 2009. The Silent Auction begins at 6:00 p.m. and closes at 7:30 p.m.

American Art in Miniature 2009 offers work from 180 talented artists from across the nation. All works of art are no larger than 108 square inches (example: 9 x 12) exclusive of the frame. Sculptures are no larger than 1,728 cubic inches (example: 12 x 12 x 12) exclusive of base. 

Click Here to begin browsing the Art Gallery.

New this year is a Phone Bank for those unable to attend the sale but who would like to make a purchase. Starting at 6:00 p.m. November 5th call (918) 596-2761 to place a bid or BUY IT NOW. 

The online purchase price reflects the Reserve Price set by the artist. Artworks not sold on November 5, 2009, will be available online at the Reserve Price through November 15, 2009, and may be purchased by calling the Museum Store at (918) 596-2725 during business hours (10 a.m. – 5 p.m. CDT, Tuesday – Sunday.)

All works are subject to availability. The sale closes November 15, 2009 at 5 p.m. CDT.

Heart of the West Invitational Art Show - Lander ,WY

If you are in Lander ,Wy Oct 17 stop by the Heart of the West Invitational Art Show & Sale. I'll have 2 paintings in the show

Top Hat - American Indian oil painting final stage

This is it. I added color to the face, also adding some darks and lights and finished the details on the painting.
I'll keep the painting around for a bit to make sure that it is truly finished before sending it off to a gallery

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Demo - Top Hat Oil painting

I've done Demos on my Other Blog and I was asked to do one of an American Indian painting.

First I do a drawing on tracing paper that is the same size as the canvas. Then with carbon paper I transfer the image to my canvas

Step 1. In this step I refined my drawing and block in the background color and the red and the blue.

Step 2. After the first layer has dried, I did an underpainting with raw umber to define the lights and darks. I also added some lights to the background

Step 3. Still using the raw umber and white, I put more detail in the face, and feathers. I started painting the hat, the emblem and the starred fabric.

Next: I'll add color to the face and continue adding details

K. Henderson on YouTube

First, let me say that I'm better at painting than making slide shows but I finally got a slide show of my American Indian paintings on YouTube !

Not perfect, but not bad. Take a look, leave a comment and let me know what you think

Dreams Await - Paint Horse

Dreams Await
36" x 36" ~ oil on linen

Although I used to paint horses frequently, I rarely do anymore. I decided it was time again and this is the result.

Paint Horses are my favorite horses. I love the variety of coat patterns and coloring. And it seems to blend with various face paint used by the Plains Indian

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Heart of Valor - American Indian

Heart of Valor is oil on canvas, 20 x 30. The Plains Indian has his face  painted black, white and red. He is wearing eagle feathers in his hair.
This painting can be purchased at Miller Gallery

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Join me on Facebook

I write about my art almost every day on FaceBook. Want to see what I'm up to? Click here

Whispering Spirit - American Indian

Whispering Spirit is 30 x 40 oil on canvas.
When I begin each painting I create a brown underpainting. Glazes of color are then added to create a finished painting. In this painting I decided to keep the browns of the underpainting prominent by using layers of brown, white and red. The result is a fairly monochromatic painting which focuses on the strong features of the face.
This painting is available at K. Henderson Studio for the next few weeks.

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Sioux Shirt - oil painting

Sioux Shirt is oil on canvas, 30 x 40. This painting is a bit different then my other paintings. When I paint my Plains Indians, I sometimes spend more time on the clothing than I do on the face so I decided to do a portrait of a shirt. This buckskin shirt is embellished with quills, beads, hair and paint.
Let me know what you think of this.

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Indian Market Santa Fe

I'm off to Indian Market for a show. I've sold one painting already and our opening isn't until tomorrow. Wish me luck

Step in Time - Oil painting

Finally! I have all my paintings finished for my show at Gallery 822 , Indian market weekend in Santa Fe.
Step in Time is oil on board, 11" x 14". I enjoyed painting all the little beads on these moccasins

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Blocked by AOL

Open letter to friends family and customers:
I recently sent out my newsletters to my customers, friends and business associates as I've done for quite some time. Unfortunately, as an AOL customer, you didn't receive the newsletter. AOL has blocked me from sending emails to their members.

If you have an alternate non-AOL address please send it to me. Otherwise, please stay in touch through my blog. I'm sorry that I will no longer be able to have private communications with you through your AOL accounts. So far I can still receive AOL emails. I am just unable to respond to you
K. Henderson
http://khendersonart.blogspot.com/

August 2009 Newsletter

 Newsletter August 2009

 Greetings. It's hard to believe that its August already. My tomatoes in the greenhouse are turning red faster than we can eat them. And it seems that I spend half my time filling the hummingbird feeders. We have hundreds of Broadtail and Calliope hummers this year.
   
Breckenridge 18th Annual Juried Competition & Show.
  August 25 through September 26

This is a national juried show and I will have 2 paintings exhibited including my still life I've just Got to be a Cowgirl
The show is held at the Breckenridge Fine Art Center in Breckenridge, TX
 

Indian Market Santa Fe

This will be my biggest showing at Indian Market. I will have over a dozen new paintings at The Gallery at 822 Canyon Road. Get a sneek peek at my paintings on my Blog I will be adding new images over the next few weeks
The gallery will have a special opening with the artists in attendance.
The opening times are:
Aug 21, 5:00 - 7:30
Aug 22, 3:00 - 5:00
Aug 23, Noon - 2:00

I hope to see you there!

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.
  
To see more of my paintings and to be the first to see my current work please view these sites
http://www.khenderson.com/
http://www.fineartoils.com/
Blogs http://khendersonart.wordpress.com/
  http://fineartoils.wordpress.com/

Rabbit Bowl and Peppers - Indian Market

Pots and Peppers, 30" x 30", oil on canvas. This will be one of my paintings that will be at Gallery 822 during Indian Market weekend in Santa Fe.
Indian Market takes place Aug 21 - 23. It's one of the few shows that I actually attend. Hope to see you there

Courage and Honor - American Indian

Courage and Honor is an oil painting on canvas, 20" x 30".
This Plains Indian  with his face painted in red, white and black, is wearing a hair ornament made of beads , feather and a thimble.  The American Indians would use metal object such as thimbles, mirrors and brass cartridges for ornamentation.
This painting can be purcahse from K. Henderson Studio for a few days. After that, it will be one of my paintings that will be for sale at Gallery 822 in Santa Fe.

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Moves Like the Wind - American Indian

Moves Like the Wind is oil on linen, 30" x 30". It depicts a Plains Indian holding a shield and a eagle dance wand. His face is painted Red and white.
This painting will be avaiable for purchase from K. Henderson Studio for a short time

SOLD

Bear Talisman - Oil painting

I have a show coming up in about a month at Gallery 822 in Santa Fe, NM. I'm trying to get 8 new paintings done for the show. 

Here's my first one. Bear Talisman is oil on canvas, 40" x 30".The painting is a plains Indian wearing eagle feathers and a beaded shirt He hold 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

The Amulet

The Amulet is one of my large paintings, 36 x 36. It's oil on linen.
This painting was interesting for me because it differs from my normal Warriors in a few ways. The most obvious is that the subject is not 'looking' at the viewer. His eyes are down cast.
There are large blocks of geometric shaped color. This is intended so your focus is on the face and beaded amulet.
I also used a limited palette of black, white and raw sienna accented with red, blue and a touch of yellow.
Tell me what you think.

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Circle of Life - oil painting

Circle of Life is 40" x 30", oil on canvas.
This painting is different that my current work in that is shows a full figure. The American Indian is holding a sheild representing the Circle of Life. He wears a striped scarf, a blanket and beaded Moccasins.
This painting can be purchased at Red Willow Gallery in Tubac, AZ or contact K. Henderson Art

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Frequently Asked Question

Question: Do you have people sit for your or do you paint from photos? And is the clothing original on your portraits or from your imagination?

All of the above! I work from photos that I have taken. My goal is NOT to paint a portrait of my model but to use the face, the lighting, the expression as a starting point. I exaggerate features and combine different faces. What I'm painting is an expession or feeling not a specific person.

The same with the clothing. I have hundreds of books on the American Indian so I do research to find the clothing I want or I attend Pow Wows and take photos. I usually don't reproduce any of them exactly as I find them.

The Watchful Heart - American Indian Oil painting

The Watchful Heart is oil on canvas, 20" x 30".
The Warrior stands against the background of the Grasslands of the plains.  He is painted with white clay and black and red accents.
The American Indians painted themselves for ceremonial reasons, personal recognition or protection from the sun.
If you are interested in purchasing this painting please contact me at K. Henderson Studio

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I Listen and Watch - oil painting

I Listen and Watch is one of my smaller Warrior paintings. It is 24" x 20" , oil on canvas.
The shield has red and blue paint representing the Earth and Sky. The symbols in the center are Deer tracks.
The red stripe on the face represents tears for the fallen.
This painting will soon be available at Mountain Trails Gallery in Park City, UT

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Buying art online

                                                    Into a Slumber 30 x 36

Here's an article I thought you might be interested in

Save Time and Money Buying Art Online!

By Tony Moffitt

It always comes back to these two factors.
With busy lives, finding the time do discover new and exciting artists is getting harder. As more bricks-and-mortar galleries close down, the opportunities to do so are becoming less frequent. Getting to a gallery during their opening hours might not be possible.
Purchasing art online suddenly makes even more sense.
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, the Blogs and Websites of artists around the globe are displaying the work of their creators. They're permanent showcases that not just display the work itself, but often reveal amazing insights into the creative process behind each piece, and insights into the artist's mind.Modern transport and shipping remove the last worry to online buying.
Who wouldn't want their favourite piece of art delivered to their door?

Subscribe to artist blogs
Many art collectors are now subscribing to the Blogs of their favourite artists.You might be surprised to learn that many art galleries also subscribe to Blogs.
And perhaps this is the key to buying art online successfully.
By subscribing to the Blog of your favourite artists, you then have the first opportunity to view fresh works.
A blog subscription is a free service offered by most artists. When a prospective art collector subscribes (two clicks and it's done) their information is stored through services such as Feedburner.It's a totally free service.Then, each time your favourite artists post new works on their Blog, your email address is sent a copy of that artist's post. It arrives to your in-box within hours of the art being shown on the net.
No more waiting in lines. No more sifting through catalogues. No more standing in the weather. It's a free notification service, and it's provided to you every time you find an artist whose style you appreciate.

Be first to see new paintings
Many keen collectors subscribe to several artist blogs. My advice would be to subscribe to 5 artists at any one time. Not all artists will post new works daily. It depends on the creative process. Some days you may receive a couple of free email notifications. These will be artworks from your favourite artists... delivered to you as a service! From there you will easily be able to monitor the new work of each artist until you find the works you wish to purchase.You can see why buying art online, and dealing directly with your favourite artist has become the new way to invest in art!

When Coyote Dances -Oil Painting

When Coyote Dances is oil on canvas, 30" x 36".
The Warriors face is painted with blue black paint. He wears a coyote head dress and eagle feathers. The medicine wheel on the headdress represents the four directions
If you are interested in purchasing this painting please contact K. Henderson Art

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I Arise from the Dark of Night - oil painting

I Arise from the Dark of Night is 30" x 40", oil on canvas. 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.
To see other similar paintings please see my website K. Henderson.com

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Waiting for the Sun to Rise - Oil Painting

Waiting for the Sun to Rise is 30″ x 40″ oil on canvas. I was inspired by a Northern Ute song:

“I am Like a Bear

I hold up my Hands

Waiting for the Sun to Rise“

This is a painting of a Warrior wearing many feathers, holding a fan and a shield. His face is painted Red and Black

This painting will soon be available at Mountain Trails Gallery

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Western Art Collector - K. Henderson Art

Woo Hoo! Gallery 822 in Santa Fe is feature in the May 2009 issue of Western Art Collector magazine and my painting, Horse Nation is on page 85

Children of the Night

Children of the Night,oil on canvas, 30" x 30" is another painting showing the regalia of the Plains Indian. Buffalo robe, Wolf headdress and ermine adorn this warrior. 

Contact the website of K. Henderson  to view more paintings like this

Strength and Freedom - Oil Painting

Strength and Freedom is an oil painting on canvas, 40" x 30". This warrior is a Plains Indian. He stands against a blue sky. His shield has a painting of a Bear which is a symbol of strength. The buckskin shirt has blue and white beading. This painting can be purchased by contacting K. Henderson

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In Disguise

In Disguise is a commissioned painting. It is 36 x 30, oil on canvas. The Plains Indian warrior wears a Wolf Headdress with eagle feathers. His buffalo robe shows a painting of two warriors in battle.

The buffalo robe had many uses. One of them was for a disguise. When a rider was on horse back covered with the robe he resembled a buffalo when seen from a distance.

The wolf headdress served the same purpose. The headdress was often used by scouts to disguise themselves.

You can see more of my warriors on my website

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Red Dawn

Red Dawn is oil on canvas, 30 x 40. The Plains Indian Warrior has his face painted black and white, wears a black and white blanket, and carries a shield with a bear on it. He has eagle feathers in his har. The background is a stormy gray.
This painting can be purchased at Miller Gallery
See more paintings like this on my Website
Subscribe to my newsletter

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To Dance in the Night - oil painting

To Dance in the Night shows a Pow Wow dancer dressed with eagle feathers, a bone chest plate, a quilled medallion and red beads. His face is painted in black and white. I like the look of the basic black and white painting with the red accents. This painting is available at Mountain Trails Gallery Park City
Subscribe to my newsletter

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Forever Brave- oil painting

Forever Brave, 12" x 9", Oil on board

This little guy is one of my favorite vintage ceramic figures . He’s a little warrior with a tomahawk.

He is standing in front of a wool blanket. Can you tell that I love the color Red?

As I’ve said before, I love painting the different textures. The roughness of the wool, the shiny hardest of the ceramic and the satin reflections on the table all come together to make a nice contrast.
Available

See more of my Western Art on my Website

Horse Nation - Oil Painting

Horse Nation is oil on canvas, 30" x 40". The plains indian warrior stands in front of a painting on buckskin which show riders capturing wild horses. The shield he holds depicts two warriors fighting on horseback. His face is painted  in red and blue black. The horse dance stick has red paint and gray horse hair.
For more information about this painting please contact me

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With Wind and Time - oil painting

With Wind and Time is an oil painting on canvas, 3o” by 40″ . It shows a plains Indian warrior wearing a bone breast plate, red and blue beads, eagel feathers and a black blanket . The painted hand on his face shows that he has ‘counted coup’ or touched an enemy in battle.

This painting can be purchased at Mountain Trails Gallery in Park City UT

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