Over due for a posting

There is so much to write about, not sure where to begin. I know I need to post more often and not let things get so far behind. All I can say is things have been good of late. Busy beyond what I care to be, but it keeps things moving along.

Labor day weekend, we went to the Cherokee Holiday celebration and Art contest in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. I hadn't been in Tahlequah in years. I had forgotten how pretty the country is there. We had a very enjoyable time there. We went down on Friday for the contest, we arrived a few minutes late. I guess you could say we were running on Indian time. We grabbed a flier from the attendant and went into the auditorium. We found a place to stand in the back, and no sooner got there, and they announced the honorable mention for the graphics division. "When the shadows are long". It was my elk painting! I was at a loss since I didn't know the format of how things were being conducted. I asked one of the security guards where we were standing, and he said to go on up on stage. I received my ribbon, and prize. I signed the book where the art work was listed. A rather nice surprise!

We went back to Tahlequah again on Sunday afternoon, since they were going to be closed on Monday for a holiday. I was noticing where my art work was hanging, and the "Dream Image" painting was gone! The attendant said the painting had sold! To my surprise again. This made the whole weekend trip and contest all worth while. The money I made on the painting, I decided to pay it forward for someone less fortunate. I will see about gathering some things to send for children at Christmas.

Later in Sept. the wife and I had a very pleasant trip to Germany to visit her family. Daughter from Bremen, (Northern Germany) came down to Bavaria where my Mother in law resides. Janine (daughter)brought her boy friend with her so he could meet everyone. Aunnun is his name, not so sure about the spelling but it sounds the way I spelled it.
He is a successful independent insurance agent, and does pretty good for his self. Janine, just finished her masters in sociology, and landed herself a good position with a Federal agency there in Bremen. So she is all set now. The thing is we don't look for her this coming Christmas, since she is still on probation with her new position.

Janine joins her brothers now with a good job. This makes us happy. We don't have to worry so much now with everyone working.

We spent 2 weeks in Germany and got to meet some of her relatives I hadn't met yet. Went to Nuerenburg, Bayreuth, Weiden, and Parkstein. Parkstein, was interesting, since this small village was built on top of an ancient volcano. We were able to take some good pictures from the hike we did going to the top of the mountain. There was a nice little cafe where we enjoyed some cake and coffee.

As always the best part about going to Germany was the Essen (Food).. Love the breads, coffees, and Greek food there. Everywhere we went relatives had set the table, and offered us cake and coffee. The coffee to me is the best in the world. We always look forward to the coffee and cake there.

To put things in a nut shell. I am presently back to work again on 2 more paintings. One will be for a good friend of mine I had the privilege of meeting in Tahlequah during the reception for the art contest, Richard Stepp. Richard is nominated this year for a grammy for his latest CD "Legends and Dreams". We finally got to meet, and had a good visit there. We agreed on a new CD album cover for his next CD. I am nearing completion on that work.

The other painting is of a dream I have had most of my life, which involves the creator of heaven and earth. I won't say any more on this I want to keep it quiet until I decide what I will do with it. My Mother said that this is my best one yet!

I wasn't going to argue with her. I will just see how things come along with it.

Anyhow we have pictures posted on Flickr.com of Germany and more recent pictures of the Standing Bear powwow. I will try to make more postings as things transpire.
Thanks for reading.

Post about Gods Gift to our family.

My life's partner and I just got home from a brief visit with my new Granddaughter, Paelin Grace. She is now 7 months old, born Jan. 8th of this year. My son and his companion are coming home for a brief visit from Idaho where they make their home, in October. At that time my Mother will finally get to see her new Great Grand daughter.

Last year at the annual Ponca powwow, we camped, and Mom asked one of my Ponca brothers if he would perform a naming ceremony for my siblings Grand children. He accepted and named all the great grand children that didn't have their Native names yet. We had tribal elders come as well as extended family members. After the naming ceremony we had a large feast and fed everyone that attended.

My eldest sons birthday is in Oct. along with my baby sister, and my Mother. We will celebrate their birthdays, and have a small naming ceremony for Paelin. My family is descendants of the half breed clan of the Ponca nation, and my mother is going to think about a name for Paelin.

Wakondah gave us a beautiful grand daughter. Just the few days we were there, she knew who I was, and would reach out for me when she saw me. So many prayers go up for our grand children everyday, even for the ones that are unborn. Our people pray for 7 generations yet to come. So when my children come home we will all gather and have this naming ceremony for Paelin.

It is amazing how God blesses us each day of our lives. We prayed for travel mercies, and to watch over our home while we were away. When we got home everything was good. I sacrificed a little tobacco and said Aho! Thank you, Weeblaho for all you do for us.
Our dog Oscar was very happy to see us get home too. Our neighbor watch our home, and fed and watered him daily while we were away. Another blessing to have such a neighbor.

I will be making more posts now that things are settling down some.

Looking forward to the Cherokee Heritage days Art contest, where I was juried for 3 paintings to enter. All will be for sale as well.

Aho, and Weeblaho..

...also, I got to visit briefly with my friend James Pyles on the phone while we were in Boise. James is a great writer..

Otoe encampment was good!

The 3rd week in July is typically very hot! Traditionally you get to a point to where you kinda hate to go because you know it's going to be like an oven during the gourd dance. The gourd dancing usually begins around 2pm in the afternoon, just about extreme heat time.
On Sunday before the start of the encampment, our family will traditionally put our camp up first! Since we are Buffalo clan. This year the encampment committee asked my Aunt to bless the powwow grounds. She is our Buffalo clan elder. I was there to witness it. At the same time we had a death in our tribe, and I was busy helping my youngest brother take care of the funeral. It was very hot those days.
My Aunt prayed to the creator at all 4 directions. Blessing the grounds with cedar smoke.
Tuesday we had the funeral for our Otoe relative that passed. By the time Thursday came around there was a cool front that came through. We was treated with some cooling rain, and North breeze. Made things much better. Friday was very nice. We enjoyed a wonderful gourd dance Friday evening. Saturday was just as good. Sunday it warmed up a little bit, but was still in the mid 80's.
On Thursday I donated print #1 of 100 of the "1st Otoe Meeting" to the encampment committee. They had tickets printed with a smaller version of the painting on the ticket. Sold chances at a dollar each. No need to be present to win. The committee, thanked me for this. It helped them raise over $400.00. The winning ticket belonged to a lady that lives in Enid, Okla. I am very happy someone won that appreciates my work.
Saturday night, my baby sister dressed in her buckskin dress, and competed in the ladies buckskin. She won 2nd place, and that made everyone happy. She is a good dancer. I was very thankful for the way the whole week went. The funeral went as well as we hoped. The feast was as good a meal as I ever had. The weather at the encampment came from the creator in answer to so many prayers. Everyday was very tolerable.
Best part of everything both brothers, sister, and my Mother all got to come home, with all the nephews, and neices. We sat down Saturday evening, and all shared a meal together. I am very thankful for that. No body can tell me there is no God. God blessed us with a wonderful week. Everyone made it home after everything was over with. It made for some life long lasting memories, and that is priceless!
Just wish I could have taken some pictures.

Update.. it's been awhile..

Things have been busy here at the home office as usual. Seems my retirement is something only I can control. I guess if I want to do nothing, then I can, but my emotions and love of art won't allow it. I guess that is a good thing. I have been busy painting again, and want to finish at least 3 more by the weekend. If things go according to plan it will happen, but we all know how things can go sometimes.

I called one of my Otoe/Ponca brothers, and learned he was in the hospital, battling kidney problems. Hopefully he won't be in there much longer. We all need him home with us. We more than likely will be planning a early morning sweat lodge on his behalf. Prayers in that holiest of circles is very strong.

I am still working on the display at the Standing Bear museum. I am now wanting to add some ribbon work, and shawls, to display my peoples craftsmanship. We are known for our bead, ribbon, and feather work. It seems that things just don't happen as fast as we would like, but eventually it will all happen.

Thinking back over the last couple of weeks, I want to thank my friend Firgs for giving me a shot out on her blog.
I was very honored by this. I checked my website dashboard after her shout out hit an all time high on people viewing my website.

I also want to thank my Arapho friend Neyom Friday for her blog radio talk show interview she did of me and my background. I was very honored by these good people, for recognizing Native American art, and wanting to tell the world about it.

I got a message from a lady that runs a Native American art gallery in Norman, Okla.
Tribes 131. She will be contacting me about bringing some prints down to her store.
I am excited about the prospect of finally getting out there in the State of Okla.

As I near completing each painting, I am more and more thankful that I will someday be remembered for something I loved doing. Art is my passion.

I hope to make a presentation to the Ponca tribe as well the Otoe/Missouria with paintings depicting their ancestors, and traditions.

I am nearing completion of my Aunt Jo's painting as well. Not sure how that presentation will work yet since my Aunt lived in So. Calif. among the Mission Indians at Barona Rez. My relatives want to hang this portrait of her up in the library that was named in her honor.

My oldest son called me on Fathers day, wishing me happy fathers day. This time I was able to wish him happy fathers day as well. My first grand child Paelin Grace Armstrong was born on Jan. 8th this year. My wife and I are planning on going to see her in Idaho, sometime next month.

I will be posting more as my paintings are completed and my friend Dave begins printing, and stretching canvas.

Thanks for reading

Bob n Shannon.jpg

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bob and shannon.jpg

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Back in 72' till today, a brief bio..

I had a 2 government jobs that anyone would give to have. The first job I worked for the Dept. of Commerce on a US geodetic survey crew. We had 4 wheel drive trucks, we had to cut down trees in the Oregon country side to get to markers the government had set back around WW2. The trees had grown up around the markers. Once we got the trees cleared out of the way we moved our equipment in and we built towers that would stand above the tree line. We built the towers right on top of the markers. We would drop a plumb bob to set dead center over the marker. Then at a precise time would go back to the marker after dusk, climb the tower, and point a light toward a certain direction. Leave the light on till we got an all clear. We pointed the light toward a certain direction where the transit was set up. The transit would take the readings from that point to where we had the light shinning. The government could then determine how much the land mass has moved from the time after WW2. We would tear down the towers, and move on to the next location. The process would then repeat itself. I worked with guys from Ark., Missouri, Tex., and I being from Okla. We had a pretty good crew. Each one of us had to be at least 6'0" tall in order to build the towers.

Then later that year I moved back to Okla. and found my 2nd job with the government. I worked for the Dept. of the Interior at Chilocco Indian school, North of Newkirk, Okla. I worked on the farm, we had 4 wheel drive trucks there as well, plus tool boxes. We all had our own horses, saddles. We maintained over 500 white face cows, and 15 Hereford bulls. We pretty much did things the old fashioned way. We rounded up the cattle on horse back. Seperated the calves when they were big enough. Roped and branded them. When the vet came out we worked with him as well. Tagging all the calves with ear markers. Wormed, all the cattle.

We had over 2000 acres of farm land we worked. Cut wheat, bailed hay, plowed, and sewed wheat. It was a great job I would have loved to have kept.

This job like so many other jobs with the government was in the process of being cut. We were told that we needed to find different work. I then went to Continental Oil Co. in Ponca City in Dec. of 73'. They later called me in for testing. I passed the test and on Jan., 21, 1974 I began my career with Conoco.

Tomorrow some 35 years, 5 months later. I will have my retirement dinner. The company will present me with my career history, a picture of the refinery, and a retirement book all of my peers signed wishing me good luck. A lot of them will join me and my family at my luncheon.

My good friend Bob Ailey, along with his lovely wife Lenis, and their daughter Shannon will join me. Shannon and Bob will perform for me. Singing with their guitars. Shannon will also bring some of her CD's to sell to everyone. Shannon is a very talented young lady. Her and her husband will be performing at Noel, Missouri, at a camp they are running.

My wife, my younger brother Jim along with his wife, will be there. I guess this will be my last horah with ConocoPhillips. Just looking back at my working career, I had some pretty good jobs, and I am very thankful for that. I know there were lots of relatives that prayed for my success. Now I will offer thanks, for all I was blessed with, and ask for continued success with my retirement.

Thanks for reading.

Watermarked all paintings online..

You know I don't bother much with posting on twitter about my website, or my blog posts. I figure if someone wants to know who I am, and what I do they can just check out my website which is attached to my bio in twitter.

I see people from all over the world coming in and checking out my works. It would be nice to get an occasional comment once in awhile. It makes you wonder if anyone ever reads what you post, or do they just want to come in and look at my pictures (works)?

I removed all the paintings I had and changed them all with a watermark. If this makes everyone upset, then so be it. I spend too much time painting everything, the emotions that come with this are from sometimes an answer to a prayer. I can't give that away. I refuse to allow anyone to come into my blog or website, and just hit the print screen button. In a matter of a couple of seconds my hard work is copied.

All of my work will be copyrighted, and added to the National copyright office of the United States. If you have any questions of copyright then you best look into it. If I should find any of my work hanging in someones house without a certificate of authenticity then you will be sued. This isn't a threat, it is merely a promise which I have full rights to persure.

Now if you frequent my blog and website to see what's new, then you won't be offended by the watermarks. You are always welcome, and please submit a comment once in awhile.

Thanks..

I was surprised today..

Today my wife asked if I would drive her to do a few errands, and I thought ok, I can do this because I had an alliterative motive I wanted to do. I wanted to go by the Standing Bear museum to meet the director of the museum to see about a possible art gallery. After we got our errands taken care of I proceeded to the museum.

When I got in the museum, I was greeted by an attendant that worked with tours in the museum. She proceeded to show me the main show room, which is a large round room. The areas six tribes have displays depicting what they want indivdually. The Osage, Tonkawa, Pawnee, Otoe-Missouria, Kaw, and Ponca. The tribes can show their own variations of how they want to be portrayed. I was looking at all of the displays, then came back around to the Ponca tribe, and saw a sign that said under construction.

I asked the attendant why there was a under construction sign up there. She said they were in the middle of a transition with the Ponca tribe. The person that was on display had just removed his things from the display case. They were waiting for the next show case. I asked who that might be, and the attendant said it is suppose to be Sid Armstrong! My jaw hit the floor! I said well that is me! I pulled out one of my cards and handed it to her. I think she was as surprised as I was. She then took me to meet the director of the museum TL Walker. TL is a very nice lady, we exchanged cards, and after the shock subsided some, I told her I would begin to move in next week after Memorial day holiday. Talk about a surprise..to say the least.

Only thing I need to figure out is what I will display.

Oldest living Otoe Missouria passes on at 103

STILLWATER — Cecelia Moore, 103, of Stillwater, went home on Sunday, May 17, 2009, in Stillwater.

The funeral will be held at noon Wednesday, May 20, at the Otoe-Missouria Cultural Complex with the Rev. Warren Duane Pratt Jr. officiating. Interment will be in the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Cemetery, Red Rock. Strode Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

She was born Jan. 26, 1906, in Black Bear to Charles Moore and Laura Saunders Moore.

She was the oldest member of the Otoe Tribe and a member of the Bear Clan. Epageme "Fire Woman" was her Otoe name. She was one of the last fluent speakers of the Otoe language. She was very proud of her heritage and wanted to make sure her culture was passed to the next generation. She accomplished this by teaching younger generations the Otoe language and culture. She raised many children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Edgar Moore and Walter Moore; one sister, Hildegard Moore Harris; and one infant sister.

Condolences may be emailed to the family and an online obituary may be viewed by visiting www.strodefh.com.

She will be missed by everyone. We lost a precious jewel today, she lived a blessed life for many to try to live up too.

Hanging my work boots and gloves up for good!

Well, when I got to work Monday morning, I had no idea how the day was going to go. I had been hearing about the low interest rates on the 30 yr T-bill and the PBGC. Both are down, and at all time lows. My money man called me on Friday and notified me of the info. So when I got to work I just had to investigate it. I in turn called the people in charge of retirements, and before it was all said and done, I had locked in on the current rate, and prepared for my retirement.

I called the clerk and set up vacation for the rest of the month of May, and will be officially retired on June 1st. Don't get no better than that! I actually feel pretty good about it. Past 2 days here at home have been nothing but jubilation. I am still coping and adjusting to the idea of not ever getting up to go to work again.
Now if I want to get up early it will be because I want too, not for someone else! To work toward that kind of freedom is what it's all about!

Now when I think about what I am going to do, I can honestly think about what I am going to paint! That is freedom!

Just sharing my latest and greatest..

Another Gallery upcoming soon!

Ok, I went to the opening for Linda Rous, her name is pronounced like Rose. Come to find out she is renowned through out the country, and has been painting for over 40 years now. I had a chance to visit with her, and the formal invite for my gallery will be coming in the mail. She did mention it will be a one day show. On a Saturday, during the annual alumni gathering in Fairview, Okla. She said there will be a lot of people there at that time, which sounded promising. I must say I was impressed with her no face doll creations. Very lovely work. Each one is individual, no two alike. Some even had beads hanging on them. Definitely something to see if you ever get a chance. Here are a couple of sites she has. Website #1 and Website #2