Meet Blue Moon

In the late 70’s or early 80’s I chanced to see a piece of work done by a contemporary western sculptor named Les Welliver.  I was so enthralled with it that I wanted to see more of his work.  I learned that he was an artist who lived in Montana and used wild life and Indians as his subjects.  I began trying to locate a source for his work.  I finally succeeded. 

I was lucky enough to find a perfect piece to give to my husband, Warren, for his up-coming birthday.  Since Warren is an anatomist, I knew he would appreciate the detail in the piece I had selected and purchased.  And sure enough, he was both surprised and delighted. 

Blue Moon by Les Welliver

As he inspected the piece, we both agreed that the figure’s face was wise, somewhat wizened and humble.  However, her chest told a completely different story.   Her well-formed and taunt breasts were both bold and quite boastful. 

Warren wanted to thank the artist for having done the piece and gave him a phone call.  During their long conversation, Warren asked if he had used a live model to create the piece as its anatomy was so detailed and correct.  Les informed him that he had not used a model but he had seen a few women and had a good memory. 

We all laughed.

Now I can’t recall the original name of piece.  I am sure I have it written down somewhere.  But it isn’t what she is called anymore and her original name will have no significance here. 

As Warren and Les visited on, they both agreed that it would only be “once in a blue moon” that one would could expect to find such an extraordinary body on one so wise and humble as this lady appeared.     Thus the piece was re-named Blue Moon.

Blue Moon has graced our family room mantle since that day and once in a blue moon I reflect on that phone conversation we had with this great artist and chuckle about her re-naming ceremony.  

Blue Moon…today is your day.  What a privilege it is to have had you with us all of these years! 

What Are The Odds?

There we were, minding our own business, when Patrick spied a man and a woman with birds just off the Santa Fe Plaza. Patrick loves birds so of course he had to go over for a closer look. After looking the birds over and talking to the people who were from the Wild Life Federation, he asked if he could take some pictures.

I was standing back next to a lady who was also intent in watching and asking questions. You can see her (to the right of the bird’s talons and up) in this photo.

Patrick took his shots and left a donation in the pail. At that point, the lady lamented that she did not have a camera with her and asked if Patrick would e-mail his shots to her if she gave him her e-mail address. He agreed and she started across the street to get him her business card.

Since we were going the same direction, we followed her. It turned out that she was an artist who had a booth just outside a large hotel. As we approached, she said to Patrick, “I’m going to give you a gift.” We both assumed that it would be a small print of one of her works or note cards. But she put out two full size prints and told him to take his pick. He made his selection and she signed the print “To Patrick, Amy Stein.

 Patrick's Selection:  Angel of The Roses

Amy Stein’s bio from her web site is as follows:
AMY STEIN, an award-winning Santa Fe artist, well-known for her beautiful prints of the southwest, has been profiled in the nationally published American Artist magazine. She has conducted self-imagery workshops "Healing the Self Through Self- Portraits" for the California-based American Institute of Medical Education, the Institute for Integral Development in Colorado Springs and the Santa Fe public schools. She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the City University of New York and is a licensed New Mexico art teacher. Ms. Stein has been an Artist-in-Residence in New Mexico and accepts artistic portraits commissions.

After a nice visit, we left with her card, Patrick’s new piece of art and a promise to send her the photos as soon as we returned home.

We continued our exploring of the Plaza, had a delightful chicken, green chili, pinon nut and asiago cheese pizza at one of our annual stops, Roof Top Pizza, and returned to our hotel.

We were each sitting on our bed chatting about the day and planning for the next one. Patrick got a strange look on his face and said, “What was that artist’s name?” I responded Amy Stein. He said, “That’s what I thought but I’m not believing this”. I couldn’t imagine what he was talking about other than her generosity in having gifted him with a wonderful print. I asked what he meant and he told me to look behind me. I did.

Can you imagine our amazement to find the work of an artist we chanced to meet on the street, promised photos, and was gifted by on our hotel room wall? There it was. As plain as day. What are the odds?

Little Yellow Flower 

We took this picture of her work on our wall and determined we had to share the story with her.

The next day, we went back to Amy’s booth to share this “against all odds story” with her.

She was as amazed as we had been. I asked if she had prints like the one in our hotel available as I wanted a copy to complete the story of this amazing encounter. She did and I purchased one.

We plan to frame and hang the two works side by side not only because she is a gifted artists doing wonderful work but as a reminder of that special day and how people are brought together in the most mysterious ways.

Christmas Tree At The White House

Yesterday while watching a news channel on T.V., I saw that the 2009 Christmas tree was making its way to the White House. It reminded me that I have a White House Christmas Tree story to tell that I have yet to blog about.

Last year, about this time, I had a booth at a local church that was sponsoring a Native American Craft Show. A woman purchased one of my barrettes and a feather hair clip. Little did I know at the time that it would be making a trip to Washington D.C.

This fall, Patrick (my son) and I were vending at the Metropolitan Community College's Annual Intertribal Pow Wow. The woman who had purchased that barrette and feather hair clip came to our booth and informed me that my work had visited the White House. I was so surprised!

Kymi Rutledge Johnson had been selected to deliver and present a Christmas ornament to decorate the Christmas tree in the Blue Room at the White House. In honor of the occassion, she wore the barrette and feather hair clip that I had made and that she had purchased.

I was thrilled to think that my work was selected by her to wear on that wonderful occassion. I, of course, asked her if she had a photo and she later e-mailed this one to me.

There it is! That is Kymi wearing my work in the Blue Room of the White House! What an honor for Kymi to be selected for this event and what an honor for me for her to wear my work!.

Mvto and Wado (Thank You in Creek and Cherokee) Kymi!

Custom Pendant

Not long ago, I was contacted by a very nice lady who had a pair of native american earrings. She wanted a pendant to match them. After several e-mails, we determined that the best way to approach the situation was for her to send me one of the earrings.

It is often difficult to match the work done by someone else even if you are able to locate the beads. Exact matches are usually not possible. Even dye lots from one batch of the same beads differ from one another. So, I had no idea what I problems that I would face.

She also wanted the pendant to be larger than the earrings. This gets into another set of problems. How do you replicate the original design but enlarge it?

She did not want a necklace, only the pendant. She will be able to change the necklace portion with leather, ribbon, or cord depending on her mood and her apparell.

Next problem. A pair of earrings that one has had for several years will be dulled somewhat due to sunlight, wear, etc. New beads will be brighter.

The pendant is finished and is about as close as I could make it. I just sent the photo off to her and am waiting to hear back. I hope she likes it!

Here's To New Friends

I am blessed with a new friend who is making new friends! As some of you may know, Kokopelli is one of my favorite Native American characters. I don't think it has much to do with the various legends and I'm certainly way past the need or desire for fertility symbols, it is the simple design of this little whimsical muscian that has always intrigued me.

I was surfing around on Etsy and found this shirt. I thought it would ideal to wear while vending at Pow Wows. The only problem is that most of Pow Wows are in the summer months and I would die in long sleeved black clothing! I contacted Toni. She and her husband, Mark, are new to Etsy. Their store is named RCTees.

I have learned that Mark does the art work and screen printing while Toni attends to the business side of life. They live in Decatur, Alabama and collaborate on ideas.

After a few convo's, they have agreed to make this shirt for me in "Earth Moss" and with short sleeves. As often happens in the Etsy community, we have become fast friends.

This morning, Toni made a treasury as a tribute to her new friends on Etsy and included the print "Native American Painted Ponies" by Donel Keeler, a member of my collective. You can see it here. It is the first item in the third row.

The title is Here's To New Friends. Toni added....and you can't have too many of them! I agree and wish Toni and Mark great success on Etsy. I can't wait to get my RCTee! There may be just the one you need in their shop. Check it out at http://www.rctee.etsy.com/