Native American Art show/Market coming

Finally finished construction on our home studio. Angelika is working daily out there with her orders. She also has the opportunity to create new stuff with all of her materials in front of her. There is still room for all of my stuff as well.

I have been busy with more commissioned work, and trying to get everything complete by the weekend. Hopefully I will finish up so I can get on with my new stuff.

I had a call from Janet Littlecrow at Littlecrow trading post. Her and her husband Sonny opened up a local store here in Ponca City, and are making plans on an Art market here sometime around the first part of December. Maybe the second week. My friend David Kaskaske will be joining me for this one day event. Once the date is set I will post it. Exciting times are coming, so if your in the area, make plans to attend the one day show/market.

Niobrara and Neligh, Nebraska

It is not too often when you see a golden eagle fly over head to come look in on what you are doing. Sunday morning we saw one. Our ancestors were looking in on us. I was very happy that my Mom went with me to witness this event. No doubt her great grandfather White Eagle was there, and his father Waegah-saupie (The Whip). The day had a cool breeze, partly cloudy, with a warm sun shining down on us. The Creator blessed this day for us, and made everyone feel blessed.

18 month old baby girl named White Buffalo Girl's memorial was today, she died on May 23rd, 1877. For 134 years the town of Neligh, Ne. has decorated WBG's grave and cared for it just as one of their own. The towns people gave WBG a christian burial, at the request of her folks, Black Elk, and her mama. Black Elk asked them to do this because the Ponca people didn't like to leave their dead behind. The towns people agreed, and kept that promise! It is refreshing to see people of a different culture do this, from all the broken promises the Government made to not just to Ponca, but Indians across the US. It is a new found respect you have for people.

Our Northern Ponca relatives were in attendance from Niobrara and the surrounding communities in Nebraska. Brother Dwight Howe and the Omaha tribes "Big Crazy society" came to help and support us with providing and preparing the noon meal feast of corn soup, fry bread, fruit, and water. The Omahas brought their drum as well, to provide memorial songs for the memorial. WBG never had a tribal burial, and on May 22nd, 2011 we were able to complete it for her spirit. The Ponca tribe of Okla. provided a plaque to Neligh, presented by brother Dan Jones.

The noon meal was handled by Uncle Nate Merrick of the Omaha, he narrated to the people of what was to transpire. Elder brother and road man Mark Merrick performed a cedar ceremony for the Mayor, her chamber members, and members of the cemetery board. We took the food offering to the cemetery for WBG's spirit.

Upon returning to the indoor arbor where some 400 - 500 towns people were in attendance and were fed. Once the line died down, we began our give away. The Northern Poncas gave a blanket to the oldest male, who turned 104 yrs. old on Sunday, and a shawl to a woman who is in her nineties. Brother Dan Jones spoke for the Southern Poncas upon giving the plaque to Mayor Jeri Anderson. Once he finished I spoke on behalf of the painting I created for the memorial. Mayor Jeri excepted the painting and it will hang in the chamber of commerce for public viewing. Only one of a kind. When I finished my part brother Dwight Howe spoke, and presented them with a Ponca cradle board. The town maintains a Ponca Trail of Tears Memorial Park. We were able to take some pictures of the town's efforts on behalf of our ancestors.

The day before were headed to Niobrara, Ne. with brother Dwight to visit our old home lands. Very beautiful eco transition happening in that area. I can see why so many wanted this land for themselves. We attended a sweat lodge at the old Ponca Agency and met brother Larry Wright who lives right at the agency. He also cares for a herd of buffalos. We exchanged gifts of cedar with one another! He gave me flat cedar from Niobrara, and I presented him with cedar from Mr. Scott SW Okla. Amazingly we had the same thoughts for one another! Brother Larry poured for the sweat lodge, and during the ceremony a rain cloud appeared. When we had finished, the rain stopped for us. Another good blessing!

The Nebraska historical society along with Joe Starita (University of Nebraska, Lincoln) were present. The NPR was filming and recording the event in Neligh, so I expect a press release to come out about the event. All in all everyone I shook hands with had a smile on their faces with a friendly greeting. Our Ponca people are loved there, you can feel the good spirit around the community. I would one day hope to travel back to Niobrara and maybe attend another sweat, and take in the powwow there. Blessings, Sid

Good time in Tahlequah

The "Abstract Warrior" painting got honorable mention this time at the Cherokee National Holiday Art show. There was around 30 or so entries in the digital, graphics category, so I was happy with my showing, since I didn't know who the judges were.

Got to meet some nice people, some customers that appreciate my art. Saw some pretty amazing art as well. The reception afterwards was good.

Downtown Tahlequah was jumping, softball tournament, powwow, and 3 other art galleries going on all at the same time. Wife and I took some pictures at one of the parks there, went to a coffee shop and had coffee and cake while we waited for the show to begin.

Then today (Saturday), I was lucky enough to win a print by Sharon Irla "Necessity of a Mother" print #1. Her work is pretty amazing.

There is so much to do there, that we are planning on going back when we can do more stuff there.

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.

Art Gallery is a success!

It's funny cause your thinking, that so and so said they will come to the show, but for some reason they don't make it. On the flip side of that coin, you see people you had no idea would come. Then people purchase prints, who you never even met before. The place was packed! More people than I expected. A lot of the people were my relatives, but mostly friends.

The reception offered a nice atmosphere with refreshments.

When it was all said and done, I was approached by the board about putting on a class for digital art. I didn't see that one coming! I will have to see how that all goes, after the gallery finishes next month!

It was a success! My wife and I both feel completely exhausted now.. Time for a break!

Check my website out.. I just added my latest renderings!

When everything was perfect, the ancestors gathered for a Native American Church meeting. One time the Buffalo would run it, next time it would be the bear, or the eagle, the clan leaders would take turns leading the service. The bear, and buffalo would go by the season. Spring and summer the buffalo is in charge. In the fall and winter, the bear would lead since it was their time to be in charge. The other clans would get permission to run things. There is an order to how things are conducted among the Otoe Missouria. At one time there were either 11 or 12 clans of the Otoe, but only 7 today.

Giving credit where credit is due!

My friend and partner Dave Nelsen who does all my printing for me, has been very busy in some new discoveries with framing. I had asked him to see what he could do with my Donnie painting, and I think he surpassed all of my expectations. He actually superseded them. A frame inside a frame, with what feels like a very soft foam. He said it is a fabric with a foam board behind it. The color of the frame itself is pewter. The color of the fabric is purple, to compliment the red and blue colors I used in this painting. I couldn't be more happy with the end result. I think it will only add to the art show!

I wanted to display the frame and mat work I finished last night as well. I really like how it finished. I hope people will like what I do. Thanks for looking, Sid

3 more paintings completed and ready for the Gallery!

I have the painting of the buckskin lady dancer complete, and will send it on for printing. I finished another one the first Otoe Meeting, that depicts all 7 clans in one meeting. I already sent it on for printing. I finished another one last night in the series of painted faces. This one I did is of my youngest brothers son, my nephew Donnie. He is a traditional dancer, who has won many contests for his dancing. He is a proud father today, and has a good woman by his side. Someone to help keep him grounded.
I thought I would go ahead and post his painting I just finished.

Added 3 more paintings to my web site

Busy Saturday, was busy with Twitter today increasing my followers. I also added 3 more prints to my web site. Go see at here.

I have a good idea of how I want to compliment the Chicken dancer now. I will be adding a woman dancer that will face him. I have another good idea for a third painting to go with them as well. You will have to wait for it though.

I will keep you posted to how things come along. Still working toward the gallery in April.

Cusp of falling off into dream land I saw this

I had heard that when your right on the cusp of falling into rem-sleep your mine is as clear as it can be. When you have a vision at this time it has potential to be something either great or maybe not so great. lol All I know is I knew what I wanted to paint when I saw this. I know when you see traditional Native American Art it will have a certain type of dancer, but in this case my dancer is by no means of that certain type, he has his own style.

Another thing that I liked when doing this is how receptive my wife was about the outcome of it. She really loves this painting. I will prepare it for the gallery, and have it listed in my website for sale as well. Hope you like it as well. Please leave a comment. Thanks, Sid

New Web site is up and running!

Alright bloggers, it is offical in case you haven't heard. My first website is up and in operation now. I can actually market all of my stuff I have been working on. If there is something you have been wanting, you can now have it. Go check it out,(http://redeartharts.com/) if you see something you think I can improve on then please leave me a message in the comments. I always appreciate comments left by you guys.

Still working toward having Marten with Native American Art web site finish up with my web page there as well. I need to get my wife to take my picture along with some of my prints for that site. If it is good enough I may put it on my web site as well.

Everything is a go with the Art center gallery showing in April. If you haven't made plans as of yet, then mark your calender for my very first gallery showing for the whole month of April at the Ponca City Art center. I will find out the dates on everything and will be posting it here. I know there will be a reception the first day. You will know when that will be.

Once all this excitement passes, I will be working once again on the 7 clans paintings. I still need to do the Beaver, Bear, Pigeon, and Buffalo. Hopefully have those paintings done by the gallery showing.

Printing partner.. Dave gets early Christmas gift..

My partner that does all my printing for me just received yesterday (Tuesday) a new 24" format printer from Canon.. So now we can do even larger prints.. The art show in April will be an exciting time for us. We will be able to offer larger prints than what we had before.