Art of the American West
Collector's Choice
The West is my inspiration. . .every cloud, every critter, every colorful character.
The West is my inspiration. . .every cloud, every critter, every colorful character.
When Wild Mustangs Ran Free
Wild Mustangs
running through the high Sonoran desert in Arizona are a spectacular
sight. The famous landmark of Pinnacle Peak rises in the background
behind the sculptural stack of giant boulders on this hill in North
Scottsdale. Wild horses were not unusual in these parts up until the
1970s. This area is now full of houses and the Mustangs have moved to
the east and north.
I like the idea of a spirited animal not in captivity—Living Free.
The horses in the foreground are very detailed and sharp with the boulders having blurred edges and softer shadows as they drop off into the background creating a three-dimensional effect.
Living Free is beautifully framed and available — Please call 480-745-0451 for a price and to purchase.
I like the idea of a spirited animal not in captivity—Living Free.
The horses in the foreground are very detailed and sharp with the boulders having blurred edges and softer shadows as they drop off into the background creating a three-dimensional effect.
Living Free is beautifully framed and available — Please call 480-745-0451 for a price and to purchase.
Living Free Oil on canvas, 24" x 36"
El Patrón Oil on canvas, 12" x 9"
Eyes of Wonder Oil on canvas, 10"x 8"
Strong Warrior oil on canvas, 3" x 3"
Pow Wow Feathers oil on linen,12"x 9"
The Buffalo Robe
Buffalo (or Bison) stands for abundance. For many tribes of the Plains, buffalo provided essential sustenance; for food, clothing, and shelter. Buffalo hide robes have been important symbolic and practical articles of ornamented clothing for western Native Americans. Buffalo is a protector, the hides kept them warm and safe. Bison robes were worn by both sexes instead of overcoats
to give protection against the elements. The robes also doubled as canvases for representing belief systems
or experiences of individuals or the society as a whole. The decoration of hides could be a very organized
undertaking that was highly esteemed in the society. During summer months, the robes would be worn with the fur-side out, and during the winter, with the fur inside, for warmth. With the fur inside, the decorated hide would be revealed. Robes for Native American women were typically painted with geometric patterns; robes for men were painted with pictorial scenes that described events or visions experienced by the wearer. Each time the person who wore this robe that displayed the visual representations of courageous acts in battle, it re-established his social status within his community. Hides were important as trade items in intertribal trade
and especially as major trade items in trade with non-natives,
for highly valued European made goods.
Another area where tanned robes found use was in various religious ceremonies that required representation of the Bison or its significance to the people. Participants would wear or use the robe to represent or call upon these properties. Black Elk, the Lakota holy man, has described the use for robes in almost all of the sacred rites of his tribe. The hair of the buffalo was believed to contain the soul of the animal. Joseph Epes Brown says in his book on Black Elk: "The buffalo was to the Sioux the most important of all four-legged animals, for it supplied their food, their clothing, and even their houses, which were made from the tanned hides. Because the buffalo contained all these things within himself he was a natural symbol of the universe, the totality of all manifested forms. Everything is symbolically contained within this animal". The list is endless, further products made of buffalo skins include tipi covers, clothes, shields, boats, bags etc. A buffalo hide is a very versatile article.
Another area where tanned robes found use was in various religious ceremonies that required representation of the Bison or its significance to the people. Participants would wear or use the robe to represent or call upon these properties. Black Elk, the Lakota holy man, has described the use for robes in almost all of the sacred rites of his tribe. The hair of the buffalo was believed to contain the soul of the animal. Joseph Epes Brown says in his book on Black Elk: "The buffalo was to the Sioux the most important of all four-legged animals, for it supplied their food, their clothing, and even their houses, which were made from the tanned hides. Because the buffalo contained all these things within himself he was a natural symbol of the universe, the totality of all manifested forms. Everything is symbolically contained within this animal". The list is endless, further products made of buffalo skins include tipi covers, clothes, shields, boats, bags etc. A buffalo hide is a very versatile article.
So Proudly Worn Oil on canvas, 16" x 12"