Gagaguwon Pow-wow '08

During the last weekend of July, I had the pleasure of once again attending the annual Gagaguwon Pow-wow, held in Oscoda, Michigan by the banks of the beautiful AuSable River. Hosted by the Preservation of Native American Culture (PONAC) each year, it's an event I always make a point to attend, being an avid collector of native jewelry and a staunch supporter of American Indian artists. It was great to see the new traders that were here this year, and even more great to see some familiar faces that I had the opportunity to meet again. So, I spent my weekend absorbed in all the beautiful handmade goods, stuffed my face with signature Indian frybread, listened to moving prayers of thanks, watched dancers in their breathtaking regalia, and walked away with, not one, but a few new pieces of jewelry. As a result, I'm not allowed to treat myself to anything for a few good months, but oh well!! I probably can speak for a lot of collectors in saying that if you find something that you just know is for you, it's a good idea to grab it, because once it's gone, it's gone, and there'll never be another like it.

I started collecting only about two years ago, but it's growing slowly and surely, thanks to the artists and other wearers who help me along in what to look for in terms of craftsmanship and authenticity. I learn something new with each piece, and that's a major part of the beauty and thrill of it. Southwest Art magazine's current issue is the 2008 annual which devotes itself entirely to contemporary Native American art, and it's the best one I've seen yet. Check it out here. You can also visit PONAC's official website here, as well. Hats off to this organization for all they do! Migwich (thank you)!

"The Song of Hiawatha"

Finally got around to photographing some of my latest work. Here's the finished illustration for Longfellow's Song of Hiawatha that I spoke of earlier (see my previous post). I have to admit that the execution of this one was more challenging than usual - giving me a profound appreciation for landscape painters! Colorwise, it can get tricky if the scenery is complex, but I'm satisfied with the results. I've been wanting to do something like this for some time, so it was cool to finally undertake it.

Designed to be used as either a wrap-around book cover or full spread, I focused mainly on evoking the beauty of nature in conjunction with the quiet, noble power of the warrior in his solitude. Though the poem speaks much of Hiawatha's role as a fierce warrior, it sings of his qualities as a wise, honorable, and peaceful leader, above all; one who lived for his people, and one who always listened and communicated with the earth and living creatures around him.

New ideas in the works. . .

Currently in the process of creating some new works, I spent a good few days just sort of thinking. It's great when I'm able to take a few days off just to step back and evaluate everything; to read and research all kinds of things in order to keep the creative juices steadily flowing.

So, moving on with more book pieces, expect to be seeing some paintings that will illustrate the work of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, John Steinbeck, and possibly Edgar Allen Poe.

I've decided to begin with Longfellow's The Song of Hiawatha. A lengthy, beautiful epic poem based on the myths and legends of the Ojibwas of the Great Lakes. I was always aware of the story from a young age, always camping up in northern Michigan with family, visiting such places as Tahquamenon Falls, Pictured Rocks, Hiawatha National Forest, and every place in between. But I read it in its entirety for the first time a few days ago, closed the book, and said to myself, "I have to create something for this." Every page filled my head with imagery, and, after looking through what seemed like hundreds of my own pictures from various hikes and camping trips, I came up with this:

















The scene is taken from the chapter/passage where Hiawatha builds his birch canoe by the Tahquamenaw (Tahquamenon Falls in Michigan's U.P.) to sail to Bawating (present-day Sault Ste. Marie):

From the ground the quills he gathered,
All the little shining arrows,
Stained them red and blue and yellow,
With the juice of roots and berries;
Into his canoe he wrought them,
Round its waist a shining girdle,
Round its bows a gleaming necklace,
On its breast two stars resplendent.
Thus the Birch Canoe was builded
In the valley, by the river,
In the bosom of the forest;
And the forest's life was in it,
All its mystery and its magic,
All the lightness of the birch-tree,
All the toughness of the cedar,
All the larch's supple sinews;
And it floated on the river
Like a yellow leaf in Autumn,
Like a yellow water-lily.

Each element in the image has significance at different parts of the story; from the geese, to the trees, to the soaring eagle, etc. But, to change things up a bit, this one will be larger, to be designed as either a wrap-around cover, or an interior spread.

Here's some of my favorite personal photos, that will be worked into the backdrop for this piece. They were taken from my visit to Agawa Canyon this past summer, a place only accessible by train -- 9-hours round trip from Sault Ste. Marie, located in the beautiful Canadian Shield:

Sailing across Lake Huron to Mackinac Island, a place I love visiting time and again:

Arch Rock - another awe-inspiring site, sacred in Great Lakes Indian legend, and one I always stop to gaze at when biking around the island's coast:

I also came across some old travel photos of me as a kid, and thought I'd post them just for kicks. . .it's funny to see how I was fascinated by the same things since day one.

Great Video. . .

Sacred Spirit - The Counterclockwise Circle Dance
(Ly O Lay Ale Loya)

A beautiful video. I was so excited to find the actual music video for this song from the first Sacred Spirit album. They are one of my favorite groups, and I just absolutely love this song from their Grammy-nominated series. I've had these CDs for a really long time, and NEVER get tired of listening to them. The fusion of modern electronic beats merged with traditional Native American chants is completely transcending, almost similar to Enigma - my all-time fave. And the video, I think, sends a beautiful and powerful message. I was also surprised to find that the actress in this video (Irene Bedard) was the original voice and model for Disney's Pocahontas. Pretty cool. So take a break, sit back, and make sure you turn this one up. I guarantee you'll be moved and will want to hear it again and again.

If you like what you hear, go pick up a copy. For each CD sold, a donation is made to the Native American Rights Fund.