Valley of the Rosebud

I was in the mood for creating some digital art today. So I found a Native American Photo that inspired me and had some fun with it. This was the result.

This original photo is entitled, 'The Valley of the Rosebud,' and was taken circa 1905 by renowned photographer, Edward S. Curtis. It is described by the Library of Congress as depicting a "Cheyenne Indian, wearing warbonnet headdress, on horseback at a pool of water."

Navaho Smile

The original Native American photo in this digital art is from the Edward S. Curtis Collection at the Library of Congress. It is titled, 'Navaho Smile,' and it was taken circa 1904.

I adore this photo of this beautiful Native woman, who truly smiles from within. So I had to share it with you here.

John Wooden Legs - Our Land is Everything to Us

Sharing some digital art I created today using a Native Quote by John Wooden Legs, Cheyenne.

"Our land is everything to us... I will tell you one of the things we remember on our land. We remember that our grandfathers paid for it - with their lives."

Helena Nelson-Reed Native-Inspired Art

I always seem to find beautiful artwork on the Web completely by accident. Such is the case with the luminous and ephemeral art I stumbled upon by watercolor artist, Helena Nelson-Reed. When I found her Ghost Dancer painting the other day, I was blown away. 

Ghost Dancer

by Helena Nelson-Reed

I emailed Helena right away to seek permission to use some of her images, so that I could spotlight her beautiful artwork here on Native History Magazine. About Ghost Dancer, Helena said, "I created it after dancing for my brother during his 8th year of Sun Dancing. Sun Dance is different from Ghost Dance, of course, but the immersion, discipline and intensity of prayer focus is much the same. I can only imagine how those Ghost Dancers must have prayed with every fiber of their being."

Much of Helena's work is rooted in myth, fairy, folk and spiritual lore, and is often native-inspired. Her father was one-half Pawnee, so she is undoubtedly touched by her own native roots and heritage. 

Free Spirits

by Helena Nelson-Reed

The detail and passion put into each of her paintings is amazing, and it is often beautifully connected not only to the environment, but also to the life force of all beings, and life experiences.

Turtle Mother

by Helena Nelson-Reed

The Turtle Mother painting is one of my favorites. It instantly made me think of my mother, creator of Native History Magazine, because she so loved turtles. I wish I'd found this painting while Mom was still alive...I would have bought it for her. 

Helena's work is in private collections, and has also been featured on book covers, magazines, and CD covers. She also has a line of fabulous jewelry, calendars, and even greeting cards. 

You can see many more of Helena Nelson-Reed's artworks on her website, and in her Etsy shoppe.

Helena Nelson-Reed Website

Helena Nelson-Reed Etsy Shoppe

I extend a heartfelt thanks to Helena for being so gracious to allow me to feature her images here on NHM. I look forward to seeing where her inspiration leads her next.

Kirby Sattler Native American Art Prints

I happened upon the website of an amazing artist today named Kirby Sattler. Mr. Sattler creates Native American Art Prints, which are American Indian Portraits-art interpretations, and they are simply breathtaking. When I saw them, I emailed immediately to request permission to feature Mr. Sattler's work here at Native History Magazine. 

From his Artist Statement:

Mr. Sattler's work is fueled by an inherent interest in the Indigenous Peoples of the Earth. The current images evolve from the history, ceremony, mythology, and spirituality of the Native American. The ultra-detailed interpretations examine the inseparable relationship between the Indian and his natural world, reflecting a culture that had no hard line between the sacred and the mundane. Each of his paintings function on the premise that all natural phenomena have souls independent of their physical beings. Under such a belief, the wearing of sacred objects were a source of spiritual power. Any object--a stone, a plait of sweet grass, a part of an animal, the wing of a bird--could contain the essence of the metaphysical qualities identified to the objects and desired by the Native American. This acquisition of "Medicine," or spiritual power, was central to the lives of the Indian. It provided the conduit to the unseen forces of the universe which predominated their lives.

Mr. Sattler attempts to give the viewer of his work a sense of what these sacred objects meant to the wearer; when combined with the proper ritual or prayer there would be a transference of identity. More than just aesthetic adornment, it was an outward manifestation of their identity and their inter-relatedness with their natural and spiritual world.

Beneath each of these images of Mr. Sattler's beautiful work is the artwork's title. Clicking on the title will take you directly to his website. These images are all Copyright Kirby Sattler, used with permission.

Hawk Bells

painting by Kirby Sattler

 I Am Crow

painting by Kirby Sattler

Note: Make-up for Johnny Depp's character portrayal of Tonto in the upcoming film, 'The Lone Ranger' was inspired by this amazing painting.

Voice of Half Moon

painting by Kirby Sattler

 "Natane," Daughter of the Ghost Dance

painting by Kirby Sattler

 Mr. Sattler's work pays beautiful and respectful homage to Native Americans. He calls his paintings 'interpretations,' based on the nomadic tribes of the 19th century American plains. His subjects are inspired by a combination of visual references and his imagination. He produces a limited number of paintings each year; and his limited edition prints are available on both canvas and watercolor paper through his website. You don't have to purchase the prints to be amazed by their detail, depth, and true beauty--but I do hope you'll visit his website and explore his wonderful collection. There is far more to be seen there.

My mother would have loved these works by Kirby Sattler. I deeply thank him for allowing me to share them here at Native History Magazine.

Running Horse

I'm starting a new feature on the website to highlight art that is either inspired by Native Americans or created by Native Americans. My mother was an artist, and she loved Native American art in all its forms, so it feels appropriate to honor that creative spirit, both hers, and theirs. 

This first image is my own Native American-inspired digital art. It was inspired by a photo I found while searching through the Library of Congress' online image catalog. The photo is circa 1899 and is described as a "Sioux man wearing feathered headdress." It is titled, Running Horse. You can click on the title that appears beneath the image to be taken to the original LOC image.

Running Horse

This is just the first of what I hope will be many art pieces to be shared here--and not just my own. I'm planning to focus mostly on Native American-created art pieces, more than anything else. This piece is just something I was inspired to create today, so I thought I would share it.