One time there were seven great indians on a wall in my living room. Portraits that are freehand airbrush paintings that I sprayed on T-shirt.
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| Indians in my living room |
They were airbrushed during airbrush demonstrations for companies on art fairs. Most for the Revell company, except the third portrait from the right - Geronimo from the Apache Nation - that I sprayed for Testor company that sold the Aztek airbrush. From left to right they are: Weason (Ojibwe?), Plenty Coups (Crow), Geronimo (Apache), Quanah 'The Eagle' Parker (Comanche), Chief Joseph (Nez Percez), Sitting Bull (Comanche) and Fiscal (Apache).
I have always been struck by the profound wisdom of particularly Native American Chiefs who often formulated their views in a poetic yet powerful way. Their statements show that they have a deep respect for nature and a love for the people for which they were responsible, very unlike many leaders that are in a position of power today. In addition to that their perceptions go beyond the shallow (un)awareness of people living in conditioned, greed ridden, materialistic western societies of this time.
Airbrushing on T-shirt cloth is an absolute joy. The absorbing property of this material allows to work very close to the surface without risking to involuntary spray 'spiders' (uncontrolled splashes of paint caused by the airbrush' jet of air that spreads the paint in a fan like pattern before the paint had the chance to adhere to the surface and dry). It allows artists to instantly create accents with greater color intensity than is possible on airbrush paper or board on which slips easier. In other words, the airbrush can be held spraying in one place for a longer period of time.
On some Native American sites I found that indigenous people prefer to be called indians instead of Native Americans, since every person that is born in the United States is a native American. In spite of hideous and relentless systematic oppression of western invaders the ancient culture has not been wiped out. This is demonstrated in a most powerful way by the impressively knowledgeable and perceptive Winona LaDuke who defends indian interests and meaningful traditional values in a convincing and appealing way.
The paintings are my way of paying respect to the beautiful indian culture that is in harmony with nature.
The paintings are my way of paying respect to the beautiful indian culture that is in harmony with nature.
