Spirit War - Ghost Shirt

Spirit War, 30 x 40, oil on canvas

American Indian prophet, Wovoka, began the Ghost Dance religion in an attempt to bring peace between the Indians and the Whites. It brought together element of Paiute, Christian, Shaker and Mormon religions.  From the latter, Wavoka made use of the Mormon Endowment Robe, a robe "emblazoned with sacred symbols… reputed to protect the wearer from Satan and physical harm"
The Ghost Shirt is painted with symbols as a prayer to ask for natures help in restoring Peace and Abundance. The shirt was also said to protect the wearer from bullets.

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Indian

Indian, 22 x 28, oil on canvas

Indian was painted in honor of America's Pioneer Motorcycle, The Indian, which was first manufactured in 1901.
With this painting I am revisiting a series of artwork I did several years ago which included  figures along with product logos using American Indian images in the background

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To the Victor

To The Victor, 36 x 30, oil on canvas

This painting shows a Plains Indian with a half-painted face wearing eagle feathers, a beaded shirt with Hair Drops and carrying a shield
Hair Drops are tufts of hair used to decorate shirts, leggings, robes and other items, It is said that they were first made from scalp hair but later horse hair was substituted

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Heart of Courage

Heart of Courage, 36 x 36, oil on linen.

We've all seen old photos of American Indians in uniforms.There are many reasons for that. Of course we remember the scene from Dances with Wolves where the 'discarded' coat was pick up and became the possession of the new owner.
After a battle useful items would be taken including clothing. Not only was it practical but the items would be a sign of Victory.
Surplus military clothing was also given to the Indians when there were put on reservations.
And most importantly, lets not forget that the American Indians have fought in every war that this country has had.

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Assiniboine Amulet

Assiniboine Amulet, 8 x 10, oil on canvas

Small leather medicine pouches or amulets were made by the Plains Indians and worn around the neck or attached to clothing or shields. These bags could be plain or decorated with beads, shells etc. It's what was inside the bag that was most important. These small bags would contain protection, luck, and healing power. Stones, feathers, metal, animals claws or teeth, and herbs may be placed in these bags. Each was personal to its owner and would contain items that were significant to the individual.

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Eagle Medicine

Eagle Medicine, 12 x 9, oil on canvas. 

I've been painting some large and complicated paintings lately and felt the need to paint something small.
This is a beaded amulet that would be worn as a necklace or in the hair. It could also be attached to a shield or a shirt. The Eagle talons were used as means to be connected with the eagle who was a messenger to the spirit world.

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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. 

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We are the Dreamer of Dreams

We are the Dreamer of Dreams, 36 x 36, oil on canvas

I created this painting in 1999. It appeared in South West Art magazine that same year. I still get phone calls about it. I wish all my paintings were this popular.

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The Birds at Lovetts Gallery

The Crow Whispers My Name, 20 x 30, oil on linen

Another opening, Another show at Lovetts Gallery

The Farm Shopping Center, 6528 E 51st St, Tulsa, OK 74145
(918) 664-4732
October 24, 2015

The Birds

An exhibition of original works of birds, about birds and inspired by the Hitchcock classic (though not necessarily all of the above).

Exhibition opens Saturday, October 24th, 2015, 10:00 - 5:00

We Must Walk the Path

We Must Walk the Path, 8 x 10, oil on board

These beaded and quilled moccasins are trimmed with red Trade Cloth. This wool was originally used in trade by the fur traders to obtain beaver pelts from the American Indians

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The Heart Fears Nothing

The Heart Fears Nothing, 40 x 30, oil on canvas

American Indians painted their faces for many reasons: Protection from the sun, ceremonial, personal recognition and others
Here, he wears white paint, white being the color of light, life and the Southeast - where the Sun rises with life-renewing power. The heavy white paint or clay is a prayer for long life.

The lines of flesh represent the straight roads that lead to the Great Spirit

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Eyes of Wisdom

Eyes of Wisdom, 18 x 24, oil on linen

This painting depicts and older woman wearing a dress made of red trade cloth. The dress is adorned with elk teeth and beads.

Trade Cloth was first introduced to American Indians during the late 1700's. Trading posts were established across the country and European textiles were traded for furs and animal skins.  Making clothes from buffalo hides or deerskin was a long and difficult process. Trade Cloth became a highly desirable commodity as it was much easier to cut and sew.

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Ration Ticket Bag - American Indian

Ration Ticket Bag, 9 x 12, oil on canvas

Beaded pouches, rectangular in shape, decorated with tinkling cones or fringe and having short flaps, were used through the 1800's  to carry a strike-a-light steel, a flint, matches and often ration coupons
With each treaty signed between the Indian tribes and the US Government, rations of food were promised. The usual practise was to give each head of family a ration ticket, with the number of rations he was entitled to, at the start of each quarter. These were presented to the agency warehouse each Saturday, the ticket was punched and rations were given out.
The rationed varied over time but often consisted of beef, flour and pork with the occasional coffee sugar,  soap and tobacco.

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The Crow Whispers my Name

The Crow Whispers My Name, 20 x 30, oil on linen

I've been invited to show my work in a Bird Themed art show at Lovetts Gallery in Tulsa.

This painting presents a  Plains Indian with a painted face. A Crow is perched on his shoulder.

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Quilled Moccasins- American Indian

Quilled Moccasins, 9 x 12, oil on canvas

Porcupine quillwork is an art form completely unique to North America. Before the introduction of glass beads, quillwork was a major decorative element used by the peoples who resided in the porcupine's natural habitat.
In regions where the porcupine was not found, quills generally became a significant trade item.Although it was the practice to use the quills from porcupines, it was not an uncommon practice to use bird quills.
Quills were often dyed red, yellow, green, purple and orange.To get these colors, the quills are soaked in moss, roots, berries, herbs and other plants.

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Ball and Cone

Ball and Cone, 18 x 24, oil on linen

The ear bob, also known as the ball and cone earring, was the most popular form of earring during the fur trade, and possibly the most popular item of the fur trade. The ear bob was made of a hollow two-part soldered ball suspended on a wire that pierced the ear, with a cone suspended underneath. It was not uncommon to see a Native American with ten or more ear bobs in each ear.(from www.xxtradesilver.com)

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When the Moon Rises - American Indian

When the Moon Rises, 36 x 30, oil on canvas

I have many, many books on the American Indian which I use as references for my paintings. The shirt in this painting is based on a photograph taken by Carl Moon in 1910.

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Blue Feather - American Indian

Blue Feather, oil on canvas, 20 x 30.

Parrots and macaws have been part of the American Indian culture for centuries. The South Americans traded the birds with their North American friends. Parrots carried prayers for Sun and Rain.
The birds were kept for their feathers and color. The birds were valuable possessions and denoted the wealth of the owner.

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I Want to Believe - American Indian

"I Want to Believe" is an older painting. oil on canvas, 40 x 48.

 It was completed in 1998. During that time I painted several large paintings with 3 figures. I've painted over 1,000 paintings since I painted this. Hard to believe!

I really like the strong colors in this piece. I'm revisiting so of my older pieces to inspire some new work. I think it's time to do a new painting with the bold colors again

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Boots

Boots, 18 x 24, oil on canvas

This painting speaks for itself: Cowboy Boots, Spurs and a Southwestern basket

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Rides with the Sun - American Indian

Rides with the Sun, oil on canvas, 20 x 30.

This Plains Indian wears feathers in his hair. His face is painted white and red.

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Dream Within a Dream

 

Dream Within a Dream, oil on linen, 36 x 36 

Is all that we see or seem

But a dream within a dream?

 

The painting  title comes from the Edgar Allan Poe poem "Dream within a Dream"

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Mountain Oyster Club Art Show

Buckaroo, 40 x 20, oil on canvas

My painting Buckaroo is on it's way to the Mountain Oyster Club Art Show in Tucson, AZ.

This is the 46th year for the show and about 400 art works will be exhibited (and for sale!). The opening is November 22, 2015.

Hides from the Spirit - American Indian

Hides from the Spirit, 18 x 24, oil on linen

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.

If a warrior had his face painted when he went on a raid into an enemies camp, he would change the face paint after the raid so the spirits of the dead would not recognize him and follow the warrior back to camp.

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Summer Koshari - American Indian

Summer Koshari is oil on canvas, 24 x 36

Although the majority of my American Indian paintings are portraits of the Plains Indians, I also love painting the Pueblo Koshari.
They are a Hopi Clown that perform during spring and summer rituals. As a Sacred Clown, they are the keeper of tradition and values. Although their purpose is to amuse, the humor often pokes fun at individuals, leaders and attitudes that seem aberrant to the tribe.
Find out more about Hopi Clowns in the book Clowns of the Hopi: Tradition Keepers and Delight Makers By Barton Wright

Sacred Power - American Indian

Sacred Power is oil on linen, 30 x 36. 

The image on the shield is the thunderbird. In many legends this bird brings Wind and Thunder with the beating of his wings. Some myths state that the sound of thunder is the sound of spirits warring in the sky.

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The Return of the Buffalo - Ghost Dress

The Return of the Buffalo, oil painting on canvas, 30 x 40. 

The dress is an Arapaho Ghost Dress that would have been worn in the Ghost Dance. It was said that performing the Ghost Dance would peacefully end the dominance of the white Man and return abundance to the land, including the return of the Buffalo.
The Thunderbird and New Moon symbolize the beginning of a new life. The woman dressed in red holding the Sacred Pipe and a branch from the holy cedar tree, represents adherence to the tribal culture. The Morning star in day and night are above her left and right. The stars are symbols of the universe being called upon to help them

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Sacred Fool - Koshare

Sacred Fool, oil on canvas, 24 x 36

Sacred Fool is yet another name for a Pueblo Indian Sacred Clown. These clowns participate in ceremonies trivializing important matters & exaggerating trivial events. Their purpose is to show how NOT to behave. They are teachers and keepers of tradition

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The Warriors Prayer

The Warriors Prayer, 36 x 30, oil on canvas.

 This Plains Indian Wears eagle feathers in his hair and on his shield. The red stripes on his face represent tears for those that have fallen in battle.
His regalia also includes a scarf, a scarf slide made from a shell, and a beaded shirt.
The red trade cloth on the shield is used to cover the shield when not in use.

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Walks with the Spirit - American Indian Portrait

Walks with the Spirit.,20 x 30, oil on canvas.

 This Plains Indian has red face paint and wears Eagle feathers in his hair

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Hano Clown - American Indian

Hano Clown is oil on canvas, 20 x 30.

The Hano Clown, also known as a koshari, wears a black and white head dress with horns made of sheepskin. The horns are stuffed with grass and have cornhusk tassels at the tips. Tufts of cornhusks are also worn at the ears.

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A Time Ago

 

A Time Ago, 18 x 24, oil on canvas

This Plains Indian has his face painted white. He wears eagle feathers in his hair

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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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