12 x 36”” Oil on Canvas

For a short period of time, the barter system set up by trapper/traders and Native Americans were initially mutually beneficial.  

Then, like most business deals, things changed…  

The barter was broken, as were promises.

I have been doing paintings of trade beads for many years, and have been re-visiting the subject matter.  Beautiful old glass trade beads and  ancient clay  beads continue to call to me and ask to be interpreted.