Hau mitaku'
This one has no attribution as to origin but if perhaps anyone recognises the style ...would be happy to learn more.

Interesting. I see both strong Lakotah and Hopi/Pima influences in the painting. I see several possible sources: (The artist names are clickable links)

I suspect it was Done by somebody with Lakotah heritage who settled in the Southwest. Or a South west artist influenced by Lakotah.

Some possible Artists:

Urshel Taylor

Robert Reedy However, Reedy usuallysigns his work in very prominent letters

Michael M. Chiago Sr.

Cool!

I have a very strong feeling it is an early work done by "Urshel Taylor" no proof, just a strong "gut" feeling.

These are both very beautiful. I will have to look further into these works - the symbolism is remarkable as well, amazing how we humans can pack so much history and meaning into a single painting. I'd love to see these in person to get a better feel of them.

In that second picture, I do not know if I am seeing what the Artists intends. But the beauty of art is it does evoke a message sometimes a different one for each viewer.

What I see is the cycle of life circling the earth and the earth being made of the first nation people. In the symbolism I see Lakotah, Zuni, Pima and Navajo and others, I see it as all native people as being part of the land and living as part of it, not just as travelers using it for convenience. I see much love for earth in that picture. And a sense of the First Nation people being part of the land and the land being part of them.

It's beautiful how the shapes show how there is little boundary between the first nations people, and the spirit of the land and earth. His arms/torso are part of the horizon - for a long time I couldn't really make out his body, it was simply a collage of mystic earth energy. I notice what appears to be a medicine frog beneath, perhaps, what you were referring to as the rains (blue spiraling shape)?

One thing that is striking to me (no pun intended) is the zig-zag, lightning bolt lines that recur in both paintings. In esoteric lore this kind of lightning bolt shape symbolizes the path of creation, from creator's will at the top (here symbolized as the cross?), zig-zagging through each sphere of consciousness, giving form to love, will, spirit, thought and emotion, down to the present manifested moment on the earth for each and every being.

Very lovely.

Hau mitakuye.
Wow,Howard,i guess you didn't envisage the way this thread would develop when you started it.Nice work.Following is by Hubert Vos,a much travelled artist active in the late 19th~early 20thC.Oil on canvas.

Wow I like this painting!!!

Absolutely, that is inspiring. I've never used oil on canvas but I'm always blown away by oil paintings.

Not that this compares but I made it about 8 years ago when I was younger. It is a pacific islander, made from a photo I saw in a magazine.

If I start practicing again I know I could do even better, maybe even with paints someday. Just have to get in the habit of drawing again.

Mine of course is far less noble than the Vos painting.

Peace JimCasey,

You could have done that in New Zealand. You caught the expression of the traditional Maori quite well. Quite interesting people. That is the traditional greeting. An elaborate sham attack is made, then the weapons are dropped and everybody smiles and hugs. They too are another indigenous people that lost their homeland to the wasichu.

The westward movement of the wasichu carried the same message on every land it stepped.

Same story, always repeated.

I did not know that is their custom! This portrait has always made me laugh, though it's an imposing expression. Now I understand.

Indeed, the same story. Why is it we are stuck on this cycle of theft and destruction? Some day creator will make it known, I know in my heart. I pray the day comes soon and we can make some good on this fair Earth, where so much suffering goes on.

Namaste, peace unto you.

Here's another...

Howard...I am new to the forums and just wanted to say how much i enjoyed seeing the process of the painting...well done ..thank you

Not a problem:) Glad you enjoyed it

Hau mitakuye.
Agreed!Keep going Howard.And keep on documenting your work like this if possible.Hope to see more buffalo evo;ution,but these things take time,and life has a habit of intruding.Still and all...

mitakuye oyasin

Hi Howard

I really like your painting. You are very talented.

Thank you very much!

My apologies for not being on for a while, school has kept me very busy.

IN fact I should be graduating soon, Ill let you all know.

Peace be with you!

Howard

Hau Mitakuye,
Couldn't decide quite where to post this one but art good place to greet.
Enjoy!

And,for the modernists...
This one would go down well with a strong cup of coffee...mmmm...Means beans....