Native Art and Design

26 January 2010

Native American Ribbonwork

Here are some additional Ribbon Designs. I find this art so beautiful, and I know the talent and effort needed to complete the projects.

Ribbon work

Here are some new posts from my friends. These are prayer shawls done for the Native American Church. These are from Al Begay.

20 January 2010

Blackfoot man

Here is a WIP of my new mesh Blackfoot man. This is my first real native, its evolving as I learn the program.

19 January 2010

12 December 2009

Bison Model

Here is some progress on my sculpt, using the base mesh I created.

08 December 2009

3D modeling

Here is a new 3d model I am starting in Zbrush 3.5r3
I am looking forward to starting some new art in a new medium.

29 March 2009

Native American Ribbon designs

These are some examples of ribbon work used in ceremonial art and Pow Wow. From what I can determine some of the first tribes to start ribbon design were Eastern Osage, Kiowa, Seminole, and Great Lakes Tribes. Certainly the art has evolved however, the more intricate ribbon work today is practiced by the Seminole and members of the Native American Church. Pow Wow work is basically large design favoring eastern floral. I really enjoy the art as I have tried some designs and there really is no short cuts that make it easy. It is hard work and takes some planning, my hat goes off to the artisans that endeavor to do this type of art.

22 March 2009

Plains Beadwork (Blanket Strips)

Here are some more selections from the Ethnographic site that I find beautiful.

These are various blanket strips from different tribes.

07 February 2009

Plains Beadwork

Here is a site that has thousands of quality photos of various Native Art items, please check the Ethnographic link provided for research purposes.

Here is a small sample of photos to be found, very beautiful at the very least

The first is of an unknown origin - it is believed to be a Gourd from a Medicine bundle, which I believe is correct, judging by the strength of the object I have no doubt it is powerful in purpose and use.

The second photo is a Comanche peyote Fan circa 1825.

The saddles are Crow design featuring High back plains styles rarely found today.

Crow work has the signiture seperation of colors by using white.

05 February 2009

When Blackfoot And Sioux Meet

When Blackfoot And Sioux Meet, originally uploaded by Rain n the Face.

This is one of my favorite artists.

02 February 2009

Herbert Stash Art

Peyote Art by Herbert Stash 17, originally uploaded by Medicinehorse7.

I really admire the floral work integrating the peyote designs on the bottom.

Peyote Art by Herbert Stash

Peyote Art by Herbert Stash 12, originally uploaded by Medicinehorse7.

I like this piece as well, Its a peaceful feeling

01 February 2009

Sid Armstrongs Comments

Trading post trash is my exact sentiments. I wonder who does this stuff, and how much are they getting for that stuff? Are they in some 3rd world country being told what to paint, or tie together, or carve. Child labor? Lot's of thoughts go through my mind about this cheap form of so called NAART. Which in it's own form is a lie! And against the law! Since we have our own copyright laws that govern who gets to do what, when it comes to NAART. As a true Native American artist, I guess you can say it is a form of flattery, that someone must imitate you, since they have no idea of how we come up with our beliefs, traditions. They only want something we can give to them. It is not ours to give, since it came from the creator. Something all Native Americans are born with. All of my relatives are like a walking song dictionary, can sing 500 songs a any given moment, or can paint something from pure emotion that came from a vision. You can't give that away, or teach it. You have to be born with it. When you look at things this way, then it does make things much easier to do art about your heritage, and traditions.
February 1, 2009 10:48 AM

Inuit & Native Art Bulletin: New Video Footage of Diversity Speaker Clint Cora Blog

31 January 2009

Peyote Art by Herbert Stash

Peyote Art by Herbert Stash 22, originally uploaded by Medicinehorse7.

Here is some beautiful work done by Navajo artist Herbert Stash. Posted with permission from the artist, Copyrights held by the artist.

Native American Church Art

I am fairly dedicated to the expression of Art with meaning, and really have strong opinions about "trash for cash" , as I feel that true Native art was spiritually based and was always created as a vehicle for the conveyance of a spiritual thought.

I do not blame those whose life circumstances may have placed them outside of their traditions, and seek to find beauty, and share that expression through whatever means possible. However, I have seen a rolling tide of idyllic native art visa-via what I call "trading post trash", that is being held up as true native in origin. I believe there is a distinction to be made in modern native art , that must be garnished from a fine arts aesthetic.

To reference native art from a purely western ethnocentric view, betrays the very core of traditional Native art creation, that being art for cultural preservation, and a continuance in the purpose of a reflection of spiritual life styles. While I don't condone Native artists that present art for the general public, I don't blame them either, for they are trying to feed themselves in an ever increasing financial disparity within our nation.

I do long for fellow artist that are following a pure expression without the burden of creating art for the known genre. Perhaps we artisans can follow our own hearts and find that the populations of the global societies do want art that may offer fresh perspectives. That art should be wholesome to the spiritual presence is well embraced, and that we all are caretakers of peace should be a purpose to which we all aspire.

I thank you in advance, for those that have shared this thought, please feel free to post you comments.

25 January 2009

Peyote fan and buttons

Peyote fan and buttons, originally uploaded by Denny Mingus.

I got permission for this photo from Denny Mingus, I am sad that the peyote is there however. The memories in that fan are lost to the families,and only the visual reminder calls to the beauty of the ceremony.