Thursday, March 11, 2010
Ed's Silver Streamer
Many of my customers have asked me during our visits about my free time. Well, there just doesn't seem to be much of it. So... in 1995 I decided if I wanted to get in some recreation, fishing that is, I would have to get someone close to me to do it for me. Out of the world of imagination came "Ed." Ed and I talked about all the things we would do as I made his nose, formed his ears, and fit his glasses. Ed said to me, "Have me hookin' up a streamer." At our age, tying the ol' leader to a fly gets a little tedious. I told Ed that a bronze fly wouldn't look too good. "Make it silver, I'd like that," he said. So I did and .. "Ed's Silver Streamer" was born I'm very pleased that Ed's Silver Streamer was judged "Best Sculpture" at the 1996 C.M. Russell Auction and Art Show, the oldest western art show in America - Ed's been patient with me and he deserved it.
Price of Honor
The prize object for a young Indian Brave to obtain was a tail feather from a Bald Eagle.
The obtaining of the feather was accomplished in many different ways. The most common was to build a false nest over a shallow pit. The young Indian would trap a rabbit and tie it to the top of the nest. The boy would then crawl into the pit, under the nest, and wait for the eagle to come and snatch the rabbit. The young Indian would then reach through the nest and grab the eagle by the leg and reach up with the other hand and pluck a feather from the tail.
However, the true test of bravery was to face the eagle in the open. This bronze, "Price of Honor", shows a young brave who has climbed to the nesting eagle to snatch a tail feather. Things did not always go as planned and sometimes the eagle had the advantage. This young Blackfoot will pay the price with a short fall and no tail feather.
The obtaining of the feather was accomplished in many different ways. The most common was to build a false nest over a shallow pit. The young Indian would trap a rabbit and tie it to the top of the nest. The boy would then crawl into the pit, under the nest, and wait for the eagle to come and snatch the rabbit. The young Indian would then reach through the nest and grab the eagle by the leg and reach up with the other hand and pluck a feather from the tail.
However, the true test of bravery was to face the eagle in the open. This bronze, "Price of Honor", shows a young brave who has climbed to the nesting eagle to snatch a tail feather. Things did not always go as planned and sometimes the eagle had the advantage. This young Blackfoot will pay the price with a short fall and no tail feather.
Blackfoot Fan Dancer
Ceremonial events were an important part of the social life of Native Americans and the fan dance of the Blackfoot women was a powerful ceremony filled with emotion for all those who attended.
The animal hide dresses, primarily deer or elk, take months to create. The same is true of the beadwork that adorns her neck. The fan is a token of great importance and power and likely handed down from mother to daughter.
Fan Dancers were the most powerful women of the tribe, especially at the times of dance. No wonder they had a bit of attitude. Once their beautiful long hair was oiled and wrapped with otter skins, they must have felt the fullness of their sensual powers.
The daily drudgery of life and living is replaced for a few hours with the power and majesty of the Fan Dance. All the eyes of their tribe are riveted on them.
The animal hide dresses, primarily deer or elk, take months to create. The same is true of the beadwork that adorns her neck. The fan is a token of great importance and power and likely handed down from mother to daughter.
Fan Dancers were the most powerful women of the tribe, especially at the times of dance. No wonder they had a bit of attitude. Once their beautiful long hair was oiled and wrapped with otter skins, they must have felt the fullness of their sensual powers.
The daily drudgery of life and living is replaced for a few hours with the power and majesty of the Fan Dance. All the eyes of their tribe are riveted on them.
Awaiting the Return
- Awaiting The Return
First Vison: Long ago a young brave went to the highplace and in vision, asked the great spirit, "Where did the buffalo come from?"
"I have removed some stones, opened a hole in the ground and let them out onto the prairie to feed and clothe you, a gift from Mother Earth," replied the Great Spirit.
Second Vison: As an old chief he went back to the mountain and in vision asked, "Great Spirit, where have all the buffalo gone?" "Mother Earth has taken them back. The whitemen have driven them to the ground," said the Great One. The old chief knew in his mind the intruders had found the hole, driven the buffalo into the ground and replaced the stones.
The Reservation Years: When the old chief and his people were cold and hungry they went in search of, and found, the stones. They removed them, and there below were the buffalo running in a circle. "Come out! Feed and clothe my people!" Shouted the old chief. But the buffalo had no ears to hear and they had no way to ever return to the prairie again.
The Present: If you go to the place of the stones, stand there in the twilight, and if you believe in the Great Spirit, listen carefully. ou will hear the thunder of the hooves and the bellow of the buffalo as they fight to return to the land of the Eagle.
First Vison: Long ago a young brave went to the highplace and in vision, asked the great spirit, "Where did the buffalo come from?"
"I have removed some stones, opened a hole in the ground and let them out onto the prairie to feed and clothe you, a gift from Mother Earth," replied the Great Spirit.
Second Vison: As an old chief he went back to the mountain and in vision asked, "Great Spirit, where have all the buffalo gone?" "Mother Earth has taken them back. The whitemen have driven them to the ground," said the Great One. The old chief knew in his mind the intruders had found the hole, driven the buffalo into the ground and replaced the stones.
The Reservation Years: When the old chief and his people were cold and hungry they went in search of, and found, the stones. They removed them, and there below were the buffalo running in a circle. "Come out! Feed and clothe my people!" Shouted the old chief. But the buffalo had no ears to hear and they had no way to ever return to the prairie again.
The Present: If you go to the place of the stones, stand there in the twilight, and if you believe in the Great Spirit, listen carefully. ou will hear the thunder of the hooves and the bellow of the buffalo as they fight to return to the land of the Eagle.
Dove
A Sioux Love Story
Courting is a serious ritual for a young warrior. The selection of a wife is a task that takes careful planning and a great deal of effort. He not only has to capture the heart of a young maiden, but he has to gain the consent of the girl's father.
Haggling over her value may take many days. The more handsome she is, the more she will cost. Eventually a payment of horses, robes and other fine items will be agreed upon to complete the deal.
The young brave in this bronze is courting with his flute. Before arriving to his present position, he had mounted his finest horse and ridden through the village, stirring the dust and shouting to gain the attention of the young maiden. He has ridden to the edge of the village, seated himself on a large rock, speaks to the spirits and begins to play love songs on his flute.
If the young woman is not interested in his advances, she will pay no attention to him. If she is curious, she will stand at a distance and listen. The maiden in the sculpture is attracted and has brought him a gift of an eagle feather, the finest gift she can give, to say, "Go and speak to my father."
The words he has spoken to the spirits of his grandfathers are cut into the sandstone rock upon which he is seated.
"Oh how I play my magic flute
The haunting tones of love.
Oh how I play my magic flute
To call my waiting dove."
~Bob Stayton
Courting is a serious ritual for a young warrior. The selection of a wife is a task that takes careful planning and a great deal of effort. He not only has to capture the heart of a young maiden, but he has to gain the consent of the girl's father.
Haggling over her value may take many days. The more handsome she is, the more she will cost. Eventually a payment of horses, robes and other fine items will be agreed upon to complete the deal.
The young brave in this bronze is courting with his flute. Before arriving to his present position, he had mounted his finest horse and ridden through the village, stirring the dust and shouting to gain the attention of the young maiden. He has ridden to the edge of the village, seated himself on a large rock, speaks to the spirits and begins to play love songs on his flute.
If the young woman is not interested in his advances, she will pay no attention to him. If she is curious, she will stand at a distance and listen. The maiden in the sculpture is attracted and has brought him a gift of an eagle feather, the finest gift she can give, to say, "Go and speak to my father."
The words he has spoken to the spirits of his grandfathers are cut into the sandstone rock upon which he is seated.
"Oh how I play my magic flute
The haunting tones of love.
Oh how I play my magic flute
To call my waiting dove."
~Bob Stayton
Vision Seakers-I
A Sculpture of a Sioux Ceremony
The Sioux called Vision Seeking "crying or lamenting." It was a ritualistic way of praying which was very important and stood at the center of their religion, for from it they received many "good things." -- From "The Sacred Pipe" by Brown.
The sculpture "Vision Seekers" depicts a young brave receiving assistance in establishing visions to guide his life. A warrior must have a revelation to be fulfilled and completed. The young man has been unsuccessful in the past and has petitioned the male members of his Sioux family to help him.
He has climbed to this high place with his father and grandfather to perform the vision rites. Before coming to this sacred location, the Indians have bathed, cleansed themselves meticulously, and purified their bodies with the smoke from the pine needle and sage. They have painted their bodies with white clay to show their purity.
The paintings of white clay on the young man's body depict the sign of the great bear on the right of his chest. Rings of bondage circle each thigh and a half painted face shows the great spirit he is only half fulfilled. Strokes of white on the father's face and back shows the great one he is pure. A painted sun on the back of the grandfather protects an old lance wound from opening during stressful prayer.
The father holds the sacred skull of the buffalo toward the life giving sun. Grandfather offers up the pipe of peace and brotherhood to the "one-above." The young brave beats to the rhythm of his pulse on a ceremonial drum, accompanying the sacred sounds of song.
The family group has brought a sacred buffalo hide on which to pray. They first laid a layer of flat rocks on which to spread the hide. The huge robe is said to have the spirit of the great bear and the mighty eagle captured in the matted curls of the cape.
Four days of fasting and praying have produced the results depicted on the base of the sculpture. The young man's life is now fulfilled and he can go forth with confidence.
Sculptor's Remarks about this bronze:
Many people have asked why the figures have no eyes. I took away the subject's eyes because they are "out of body" and "In Spirit." The spirit of the "Great Bear" and the "Mighty Eagle" are in the curl of the cape.
The Sioux called Vision Seeking "crying or lamenting." It was a ritualistic way of praying which was very important and stood at the center of their religion, for from it they received many "good things." -- From "The Sacred Pipe" by Brown.
The sculpture "Vision Seekers" depicts a young brave receiving assistance in establishing visions to guide his life. A warrior must have a revelation to be fulfilled and completed. The young man has been unsuccessful in the past and has petitioned the male members of his Sioux family to help him.
He has climbed to this high place with his father and grandfather to perform the vision rites. Before coming to this sacred location, the Indians have bathed, cleansed themselves meticulously, and purified their bodies with the smoke from the pine needle and sage. They have painted their bodies with white clay to show their purity.
The paintings of white clay on the young man's body depict the sign of the great bear on the right of his chest. Rings of bondage circle each thigh and a half painted face shows the great spirit he is only half fulfilled. Strokes of white on the father's face and back shows the great one he is pure. A painted sun on the back of the grandfather protects an old lance wound from opening during stressful prayer.
The father holds the sacred skull of the buffalo toward the life giving sun. Grandfather offers up the pipe of peace and brotherhood to the "one-above." The young brave beats to the rhythm of his pulse on a ceremonial drum, accompanying the sacred sounds of song.
The family group has brought a sacred buffalo hide on which to pray. They first laid a layer of flat rocks on which to spread the hide. The huge robe is said to have the spirit of the great bear and the mighty eagle captured in the matted curls of the cape.
Four days of fasting and praying have produced the results depicted on the base of the sculpture. The young man's life is now fulfilled and he can go forth with confidence.
Sculptor's Remarks about this bronze:
Many people have asked why the figures have no eyes. I took away the subject's eyes because they are "out of body" and "In Spirit." The spirit of the "Great Bear" and the "Mighty Eagle" are in the curl of the cape.
Vision Seakers-II
The Visions
These bronze sculptures go around the base of the larger piece. They tell the story of the work and represent each of the visions along with a name plate and a signature plate for the piece. Of all the work I've done, this is one I am especially pleased with. There is a lot of "meat" in this piece which makes it perfect for the collector who values work with a significant story to tell.
From the title plate "Vision Seekers" move left to right around the base of the sculpture.
Vision One: The buffalo is our life. Without the buffalo our way and life is no more. We are part buffalo. The buffalo is part of us. If an enemy destroys the buffalo, he destroys us.
Vision Two: Your first child will be as you. The mighty eagle will darken the sky with his wings. He will snatch the boy in his beak and carry him to the sun and return to be his protector in life.
Vision Three: You will be a brave warrior and leader. You must never attack an enemy with your face into the sun or you will become blind and then die.
Signature Plate: Sioux bow and quiver, moccasins, signature of sculptor and issue data.
Vision Four: Beware of a woman with the nose of a raven, hair of a bear and a mouth that speaks in flames of evil. Do not look into her eye or the serpent will capture you forever.
Vision Five: The great bear that came on the day of your birth, now comes again. His spirit will put down your enemies and hold you, protected, high in his hand.
Vision Six: Take the fox as your guide and helper. His cunning is your cunning. In one hand be prepared for war and in the other be cunning in the ways of peace.
May the "Great Spirit" grant your visions and give you peace.
These bronze sculptures go around the base of the larger piece. They tell the story of the work and represent each of the visions along with a name plate and a signature plate for the piece. Of all the work I've done, this is one I am especially pleased with. There is a lot of "meat" in this piece which makes it perfect for the collector who values work with a significant story to tell.
From the title plate "Vision Seekers" move left to right around the base of the sculpture.
Vision One: The buffalo is our life. Without the buffalo our way and life is no more. We are part buffalo. The buffalo is part of us. If an enemy destroys the buffalo, he destroys us.
Vision Two: Your first child will be as you. The mighty eagle will darken the sky with his wings. He will snatch the boy in his beak and carry him to the sun and return to be his protector in life.
Vision Three: You will be a brave warrior and leader. You must never attack an enemy with your face into the sun or you will become blind and then die.
Signature Plate: Sioux bow and quiver, moccasins, signature of sculptor and issue data.
Vision Four: Beware of a woman with the nose of a raven, hair of a bear and a mouth that speaks in flames of evil. Do not look into her eye or the serpent will capture you forever.
Vision Five: The great bear that came on the day of your birth, now comes again. His spirit will put down your enemies and hold you, protected, high in his hand.
Vision Six: Take the fox as your guide and helper. His cunning is your cunning. In one hand be prepared for war and in the other be cunning in the ways of peace.
May the "Great Spirit" grant your visions and give you peace.
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