Essenique

Although paper, canvas, and drawing board are my preferred choice for drawing and painting.  I do enjoy experimenting with other types of "canvas".  I've used fabrics, woods, slate, feathers, bone, and plexiglass as backgrounds.  Below are a few examples of these.

© mlw'09

6/2009

My favorite Native American symbol and legend is the Kokopelli, shown as the cheerful humpbacked flute player.  The Kokopelli is a mythical Hopi symbol of fertility, replenishment, music, dance, and mischief.  Kokopelli Legend

Acrylic painting on feather with beaded quill accent.  Feather sits on reddish material covered background surrounded with a  custom mat of dark burgundy leather-like material.  All enclosed in a custom designed and built frame by Merlyn Patterson (thanks dad!).  

  Kokopelli detailBead Detail

6/2009

Another Kokopelli inspired feather painting. 

Acrylic painting on feather with beaded quill accent.  Feather sits on rust colored suede-like material background surrounded with a  custom mat of dark brown suede-like material.  All enclosed in a custom designed and built frame by Merlyn Patterson (thanks dad!). 

 © mlw'09

© mlw'09 

6/2009

I have a deep love and respect for the wolf.  They are very majestic, loyal, and loving.  Native American lore sees them as a symbol of truth and knowledge and Shoshone legend tells of the wolf as being a protector of women.  Shoshone legend    (Click and scroll down to read the legend)

Acrylic painting on feather with beaded quill accent.  Feather sits on brown suede-like material covered background.  All enclosed in a custom designed and built frame by Merlyn Patterson (thanks dad!). wolf detail

© mlw'09

6/2009

Native Americans see the Eagle as a symbol of courage.  Legend says that when a great warrior falls, an eagle feather falls to earth.

Acrylic painting on feather with beaded quill accent.  Feather sits on brown suede-like material covered background surrounded by a custom mat of light brown suede-like material.  All enclosed in a custom designed and built frame by Merlyn Patterson (thanks dad!).   

Eagle detail

Since I was a small child, I've visited the Black Hills of South Dakota yearly and am always awed by the beauty I find there.  I've been continuously rewarded with the beauty of Native American art and have learned a great deal about Native American history.  With great respect and admiration for Native Americans, I created this piece in the idea that all things are connected in "one spirit".  It is created on plexiglass using glass paints. 

2005

16"x20"    

"Through the spirit, man becomes one with nature through the universe of life." mlw

© mlw'05

                                                                                                                                             ©mlw'05

2001

Acrylic on Plexi 

   ©mlw'01

                                                                           2005          "White Buffalo"

This piece was done on a turkey tail feather.  The white buffalo is painted with acrylic and beadwork covers the end.        

©mlw'05

2005       

9"x20"

One of my favorite Native American symbols, the Kokopelli represents many things including that of a merry-maker or trickster.  I created this piece using  pheasant feathers.  Acrylic is used on the feather to create the kokkopelis and beadwork covers the ends of the feathers.

The cruel acts that transpired on 9-11-2001 produced a multitude of emotions inside of every American including this one.  Art is one of the best outlets I have to express the many emotions I felt that day. 

Many unique individuals lost their lives on 9-11.  Many children's lives were changed forever as hopes and dreams were replaced with fear and uncertainty of our world.

     2001-Oil pastels on the slate top of an "old fashioned" child's desktop.   (12.5"x18.5")         

A mother awakens,

Disturbed by the storm in the night.

An innocent life ends,

A mother cries,

As another storm blocks out the morning light.

A child  is carried away,

A mother prays,

And tears of angels are heard.

But as our country cries,

For those who died,

We hear tears of pride.         

For together we stand,

To heal each other,

For we will never  hide."          mlw

 

Pieces of a child's teddy bear, doll, and shoe represent the chaos and  destruction caused by  9-11 in the lives of children.  The above poem is also enclosed, written on the paper on the right.