High time to post something..

It's been a few months again since my last post. Hope everyone is having a good summer thus far. It has been hot here in Okla. but fall is on the way. It is always good to get a cool front every now and then to cool things down some.

Powwows are happening everywhere right now. My baby sister is in Rocky Boy, Mt. right now at their doings. Her and one of our relatives ventured up that way. I hope she does well in the ladies buckskin division. Both are exceptional dancers. My sister won 1st at the Otoe encampment this year, and is now hoping to make a good showing up in Montana.

I finished another painting the other day. I painted a Ponca wearing a blanket in downtown Ponca City. The time frame is back in the late 40's early 50's. I Remember going downtown with my grandmother and seeing people still walking around with blankets on. Something you don't see now days. My plan is to do a series of these paintings, using different parts of downtown Ponca City. I have high hopes for this project.
Everyone have a good summer and fall, I will try to post as I go along. Thanks for reading.

Another good time dancing with our friends.

This past weekend we got to go to Enid, Ok. for a gourd dance my Indian friend Hank and Marie Childs hosted. Our gourd dance group was the host gourd club, so we were in full force. My sister and mother were able to come join us as well. I was very happy for this. My mothers Indian friend was there as well, and they got to dance together again.

The Enid intertribal club had a wonderful dinner served for us. The fellowship with all my brothers, and relatives was priceless. Look forward to helping my friends for the upcoming Otoe encampment next July. My friend Hank is the chairman for the powwow. I told him I would support him with this great endeavor.

Chairman John Shotton of the Otoe tribe is a member of our group as well. He just got back from his trip to D.C. He was in attendance at the White House with President Obama, when he greeted all the recognized tribes in the U.S.

On Nov. 20th I will be speaking for the Daughters of the American Revolutions monthly meeting at the Marland Grand home here in Ponca City, on Native American Art. They said they will have a write up about it coming out in the local newspaper this coming Sunday. I will begin to prepare for it. I look forward to it.

On Nov. 21st the Otoe encampment with have their first benefit dance at the Otoe culture center. I will see about attending that dance.

I will be starting a new painting for the contest here that the Ponca City art center holds in February. Still thinking about what to paint.

Thanks for reading.

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.