New Native American Series
Earlier this year as I was planning my festival work, I began to think about all the people who have influenced or inspired me and how I could bring them with me in a way. My thoughts went to the people who have passed on and how they could be remembered and made a part of this experience.
As I sat in my studio, my eye was caught by my “studio mate”, a portrait painting which was done in class with Bert Seabourn at the very beginning of the journey and has been a main studio fixture ever since. There were two similar paintings—the one in the studio and another in my dining room for about the past ten years. I began to wonder what it would be like to paint the same subjects again as a tribute to Bert.
Three new Native American portraits were the result of this experiment. It felt great to create them freely. I don’t have the original reference photos, so I was using the earlier paintings as my sole inspiration. My work is always abstracted, and most times even when creating a portrait, I’m not trying to match the subject realistically but in a more creative, painterly way. I love the way the headdress feathers extend out in an expansive, expressive way. I love the color play in the face of the portrait with the bright yellow background.
I remember when I was originally painting what became my “studio mate”. Bert, my teacher, was a master at drawing, and I had hardly ever drawn anything at the time. He had several questions about my painting and also began to correct my drawing. Then he stopped himself, saying “actually, I like it like that!”. So although this began as Geronimo, it has become someone entirely different. This first one is named Tribute, as it’s painted in memory of my one and only art teacher.
I chose his class because I wanted freedom, and I wanted to move quickly, creating a new painting each class session, rather than a slow step by step approach. I had the desire to do something original from the very beginning. I didn’t want to be overly influenced or intimidated by rules. I learned so much simply painting in the same room with Bert and with the other talented artists in the class.
The second painting with the yellow background is named Character. This is the one who gazes out the window of my dining room and was included in my first ever art exhibit. It is named Character as a dual meaning—one as in the traditional sense of the word and the feeling of the subject of the painting, but also in reference to Bert as he was quite a character. His quiet presence, but friendly nature and sense of humor were something else!
The last painting, I added entirely new from a different reference photo, this time a vintage photo of Geronimo as well. As happens many times, the painting had its voice, and the subject appears with chiseled, strong features. I named this one Courage, again in the traditional sense of the word and in admiration of Native American people, but also in reference to art class. For me, it’s the courage to paint and the courage to show and sell your work. Bert was the first to invite me to be a part of a gallery show and that was so kind.
Maybe I should mention I don’t think I have even 1% Native American blood, so I’m not speaking from that perspective or trying to represent myself as such. I have a great deal of respect for the people, culture and the arts of the first americans.