Legend of Crow Peak

“Legend of Crow Peak” 30 x 40” Oil on Canvas

This painting was painted specifically for the opening of Crow Peak Brewery in Spearfish, SD.  The expanded building opened this weekend with amazing success!  You might say people “flocked” to it!

Crow Peak is a prominent mountain in the Northern Black Hill, outside of Spearfish, SD.  The name “Crow Peak” is an English translation of the Sioux name for the mountain, “Paha Karitukatyapi, which means “the hill where the Crows were killed”.  The name originates from a battle between the Sioux and the Crow Indians, in which the Sioux triumphed

But that is just part of the legend about Crow Peak.  Another narrative about the battle which was passed down is: the Sioux had the Crow trapped on top of the peak, with plans to attack in the morning.  During the night, the Crow found a way off the mountain and disappeared… 

Crow Peak with Haystacks

“Crow Peak with Haystacks” 30 x 40” Oil on Canvas

The image of Crow Peak changes with the season, climate and time of day.  Crow Peak is a landmark mountain located outside of Spearfish, SD.  It signals the end of the Black Hills going west to Wyoming. 

This tranquil depiction of Crow Peak shows the end of summer and the start of fall, when hay is cut and baled.   It is the final glimpse of green for awhile!  It is the beginning of the season for Thanksgiving.  Appreciating what we have: the bounty of the earth, our family and friends, our country, our freedom… everything we hold dear in our lives: thank you God!

This painting will soon be hanging in the newly built Crow Peak Brewery in Spearfish, SD.

Human Activity

“Medicine Wheel” 11 x 30” Watercolor & Gouache on Paper

Humans have left their mark well before recorded time.  This remains one of the remaining mysteries man can explore on earth.  The enormous stone circle this painting is about is called the Medicine Wheel is comprised of a circle dissected by 28 radiating spokes from the center.  Constructed above the treeline, this man-made formation sits on the summit of Medicine Mountain in the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming. 

While I was visiting my good friend, Janet Weight Reed in England, an amazing find was announced.  Called the Staffordshire Hoard, this amazing cache of early medieval artifacts caused awe in the modern audience.  The pieces found number around 1500 items.  They are Anglo Saxon and date from 675 – 725 AD.  , and the decoration and inscriptions on them are changing history as man knew to date.  Found by an armature treasure hunter with an inexpensive metal detector, the story behind this find is truly imagination fodder.  Found were sword hilt fittings, medieval helmets, biblical inscriptions and folded crosses.  Not only are the items of precious gold and jewels, the keys to the design show earlier knowledge and travel in the area of Staffordshire, England in which they were found.  The gems are believed to have come from trade as far away as Sri Lanka!  Many of the items will eventually be on display in the Birmingham Musuem.  Please check out this link to read more about this ancient find. 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1215723/Staffordshire-hoard-Amateur-treasure-hunter-finds-Britains-biggest-haul-Anglo-Saxon-gold.html

Symbolic Circles

“Sacred Circle” 11 x 30”

Watercolor & Gouache on Paper

Circles are a symbolic element in many cultures.  A circle has no beginning and no end.  It repeats upon itself.  The earth is a sphere and it rotates in circles. Seasons are a circle, repeating over and over through time.  The sun and planets are all spheres. 

The circles in this painting are representations of petroglyph drawings found in Wyoming.  They depict warriors holding shields.  Wheter as protection in battle or as a ceromonial use, the shields provided a purpose for these early humans.

Also in the image, near to where these petroglyphs are caved is a mysterious stone circle, called The Bighorn Medicine Wheel.   The true origin and culture responsible for creating it has been lost to time.  Yet, it remains a sacred site: a place for vision quests, ritual and prayer. “Medicine” in this instance refers to a source of spiritual power.  It may have served as an astrological tool, as spokes and cairns align for the Summer Solstice. 

Objects to Commemorate

“Stories in Feather & Stone” 11 x 30”

Watercolor & Gouache on Paper

We as humans have a desire to collect an object to remind us of a time.  A photograph of an event, a stone off the beach, a statue of the Eiffel Tower, the act of drawing in or writing in a journal.  The object helps us to remember the cherished event. 

That is what intrigues me about petroglyphs.  The now lost to time meaning of these ancient stone carvings inspire the imagination.  Did they have a purpose or were they part of a ceremony? Did they facilitate story telling and commerate an event?  So, too is the war bonnet.  Each feather denotes a brave deed and an event worth note.  Each feather invites a story to be told, and adds status to the wearer.  There are many things in our modern life that serve the same purpose.  For example, a new car, a piece of jewelry, medals and ribbons won for notable deeds… It makes me feel that this is an inherent need of mankind. 

Thus the title for the painting” Stories in Feather and Stone” 

A Simpler Life

“Sentinel” 24 x 36” Oil on Canvas

In my tipi paintings, the converging lines and textures of the materials were the initial inspiration for me.  The slightly askew format I utilize was to give the image an otherworldly feeling, as this image is a remnant of the past.  This series has led me to explore the romantic ideals we as a society have about the past, and about what constitutes the best way of life.. 

I am moved to examine the simpler life: not in a tipi necessarily, but the idea of fewer objects in my life.  There was an Oprah  TV show recently that showcased the Danish way of life.  Oprah visited the Danish home of Stine Holscher.  It is inspirational, and here is a link to a video tour from Oprah.com if you’d like to see it:  http://www.oprah.com/media/20091021-tows-stine-home-tour

Something the woman being interviewed said has stuck with me… she said “Fewer possessions, more life”.  That is a key to happiness right there.  Not being a prisoner to possessions allows a person to explore life outside the confines of your house: the world should be our house! 

Finding Direction

“The Stone Arrow” 11 x 30” Watercolor & Gouache on Paper

When things begin to flow in the direction intended, it is so easy!  Trying to paddle upstream differs from downstream, and  I sometimes mistake hard work for just trying to push in the wrong direction. 

The Stone Arrow that inspired this painting is located near Meeteetse, Wyoming.  This stone arrow is comprised of numerous small stones and is 65 feet long with the arrowhead measuring 9 feet wide.  By air, the arrow has direction: it points directly toward Medicine Mountain 80 miles away.  Upon this mountain is another equally mysterious rock formation known as the Medicine Wheel. 

I have found the Medicine Wheel to be an inspiration as well, as it’s exact interpretation is unknown to modern man.  It is mysterious, thus adding to the magic it still possesses.  For many, it is a place of pilgrimage, and a place in which to meditate, pray, and seek direction.

Accomplishments and Pride

A Ribbon on the Chest“A Ribbon on the Chest” 

11 x 30 inches, Gouache and Colored Pencil on Paper

What would it be like to not be driven?  To have goals and accomplishments can be internalized, but in many cases, must be shared to be fully savored. 

I often think about the awards we are given for accomplishments: a medal, a ribbon, a document, a pay raise.  They are intrinsic rewards for something we were likely driven to do from our soul.  Not that one doesn’t like to be recognized for accomplishments, and shouldn’t feel pride for doing so.