Prairie Winds
Immerse yourself in the vivid strokes of oil paintings and pen drawings depicting the vast expanse of the Great Plains, where golden wheat fields dance under the expansive sky, kissed by the warmth of the sun. Marvel at the intricate details of the landscapes, each brushstroke bringing to life the intricate network of forests, creeks, and streams that crisscross the countryside, teeming with life and vitality.
Kate and Emma, Oil on Canvas (2020) I wanted to paint something “culturally significant” and document important aspects of Chickasaw life. This painting is inspired by my great grandmother, and my great-great grandmother, who are both Chickasaws. I spent a year photographing Chickasaws, traditional clothing, and plants. Again learning that I need to paint from photographs we went to a Chickasaw Festival where I photographed the “3 sisters” of corn, beans, and pumpkins growing together. The basket is a traditional Chickasaw basket. The dresses are authentic Chickasaw dresses and aprons at the Chickasaw Cultural Museum. Each girl have traditional Chickasaw Beaded Collars. I studied and sketched faces of Chickasaw women full lips, strong cheekbones, black hair with blue highlights, and long eyelashes. My wife served as the lady’s hair model. The little girl’s hair is still relatively short. I studied the faces and found Chickasaw children with large foreheads, small noses, and protruding chins. The mother (Kate) is teaching the little girl to plant seeds. The child (Emma) is talking and pointing as if she is the one doing the teaching. The sky shows light beams down the middle highlighting the center of the sky. In the clouds are the three sacred symbols of the Chickasaws, the Eye of God (in traditional shape), the Wind (painted from the Andromeda galaxy), and the Sun (in the shape of a starburst).
Rainbow Trout, Oil on Canvas (2016)
Deer Profile, Pen and Ink (1984) This was the first piece of artwork I ever made. It is full of errors, mal-proportioned, etc. (and prints are not for sale). I was a sophomore in high school. It is here to show the starting place.
Deer, Pen and Ink (1988) This was the first of a series of pen and ink drawings of wildlife with no backgrounds.
Squirrel, Pen and Ink (1988) This was one of the series of small pen and ink drawings I finished in this time. Pen and ink can be quite difficult as you cannot erase, and my method is to paint and repaint and correct and refine until i get it right - none of which can be done with pen and ink - once you draw a line it is there forever. The squirrel heard something and is poking his head out of his hole to see what made a noise. I gave the original to my uncle.
Owl in Moonlight, Pencil on Paper (1988) Native Americans typically see Owls as harbingers of doom. Never look them directly in the eye. Some Native legends even say that they are shape shifters. Me, I have always been fascinated by them. They seem wise. Many times I have stayed out late on a hunt or camping trip after dark just to wait and see owls. The soft hoot of a Barn owl or the loud crash of a Great Horned Owl attacking its prey will certainly give you a startle when you are alone in the dark. This is a life sized Great Horned Owl, in only gray, white, and yellow pencil on gray paper. It holds a mouse. The intent is to give a creepy feel.