Chief Progresses

This boy is special. The sponsor of the rescue project has requested a Native American theme for his own personal pooch. Still handing me artistic free rein (love it!), his only request was to portray historical Indian chiefs.

I've learned so much while researching this entire greyhound project. From NFL team colors (home and away) to deep sea fishing boats to the Seven Cherokee Clans. For instance, Geronimo was not a chief but rather a medicine man and a fierce and unscrupulous warrior. It's not horse racing but I'm enjoying the process immensely.

 

The Eagle is a totem and the Blue Sky is a Cherokee clan.

Below is Chief Crazy Horse and Wolf and Bear totem. The sketched-in chief on the right is Robert Benge. He was born in the eighteen century to a Cherokee mother and an Irish father. With his red hair and light skin, he was often mistaken for an anglo and easily infiltrated white settlements, effectively wreaking havoc. I couldn't find any historical portraits of him so I have to improvise. He will have flowing red hair!

This is the finished portrait of Chief Sitting Bull (along with Deer totem). There are lots of black and white photographs of him available on the internet as well as Crazy Horse and Chief Joseph. Which makes one pause...who did the photographing and how did they talk Sitting Bull into...well, sitting? Imagine big box cameras and l-o-n-g poses.

Painting on these small fiberglass forms creates distinct challenges. The concave/convex curves create optical illusions. Something to keep in the forefront when rendering a portrait.

do' da da go' hv i,
Sharon