#35 “Elder Insight and Wisdom” Spirit Dancer……

My own tribute to all elders who are “living in the shadows of neglect”….. 

#31  My tribute to my cousin and his wife and their 12 children!

Native American tribes place tremendous importance on  turquoise  (aka Stone of Life because it changes color) reying on it a as conduit between heaven and earth and symbolizes enduring love. ..... The wedding vase, holding the Spirit Dancers, hosts 2 spouts, symbolizing the individuality of the bride and groom. ..... In a traditional ceremony, the vase is filled with pure water, symbolizng the purity of the couple's union.  The bride drinks first, hands it to the groom and thus, they begin the journey of one life, one love! ..... The 12 hearts on each Dancer's "hairstring" and the 12 turquoise stones on the vase, (alongside the petroglyphs), represent the incredible legacy of enduring love for the 12 children who blessed the marriage of Don and Anna Mae, who have both passed from this earth.  (THEY HAVE FOUND A HOME!)

#30  “Eternal Light and Love” Spirit Dancer
May we all strive for Eternal Light and Love on this earth and in the next realm.........

Her headdress (fashioned from clay) is symbolic of the sun’s Light...
Her right hand holds a dream catcher with an iridescent heart of love....
Her left hand holds a painted “Pueblo Tewa”... symbolic of the Creator....
Her necklace (fashioned from clay) holds Sacred turquoise and the symbol of Eternity....
Her stand is painted with Native designs to tie the colors together....
Her dress is white fabric with a multitude of tiny stars, as is her extra shawl draped over her right wrist.
Her feathered cloak is symbolic of our “winged carriers” who take our supplications to the Creator.
(ARTIST’S COLLECTION)

#29  "Grandmother Deer Blessings"  Spirit Dancer   ----  (March 8, 2021) 

She finally gave me her name ....

There are pictographs on the shield and on her dress relative to the deer (look closely on her dress for the 4 children) ---- on right staff, 4 Zuni bird fetishes for my 4 grandchildren --- Eye of God (Ojo de Dios) on her left staff with Dream Catcher (Gramma’s dreams)

The antlers were a bit tough! At first, I made them out of clay but did not like them! I was “told” to roll the clay up in a ball, fashion antlers out of wire and cover said wire with the clay. It worked much easier although lots of time involved.

Her face paint and her wide eyes are symbolic of the deer. Her facial expression appears to have a sense of caring and compassion with a message of “be less anxious and keep focused”.

 In Native America, it is believed that People of the Deer are gentle peacemakers who love passionately and completely as they move softly but swiftly through times of crisis.

Interestingly, all three tribes, i.e. Wyandot/Huron, White Earth Chippewa and Shawnee, embrace the Deer Clan in their respective cultures. (SHE FOUND A HOME!)

#28  “PRIDE’S PRIDE” Spirit Dancer 

The pride we hold for the Greatest Country of all times is beyond comprehension!  May The Higher Power Bless all those who stand for Freedom,Our Constitution, AND The Rule of Law!!!

#27 “Child of the Eagle,” Spirit Dancer

The Eagle, highly revered in Native America for its ability to fly closest to the Creator with our supplications, is honored by young male dancers who spend hours and hours learning the traditions of the dance as well as the correct movements in rhythm to the drumbeats. Each Dancer is responsible for creating his entire costume as well! (My oldest brother was an accomplished Eagle Dancer prior to his early demise.)

The Ojibwa people view the snake as a symbol of healing and, due to its ability to shed its skin, other tribal groups associate the snake with re-birth.

The Hopi people believe the snake is blessed with the ability to carry our prayers to the Creator for needed rain and honor this gift with their Snake Dances.

I have blended the two Messengers in this dancer.

(Eagle’s Head with feathers above beaded headband; painted Eagle Dancer on wooden disc hanging from left staff; silver feather on right staff; turquoise stone atop each staff and on top of moccasins; genuine coral and jet stones on braids and rawhide belt and on the ends of the beaded “snake” breastplate; painted clouds on pant legs; “silver-coned” feathers on edges of fur cloak; Mesquite base with matching rawhide strips. There is an anchored “stabilizing” bamboo rod running up the right leg (inside pant leg) to the Dancer’s waist........ (3 weeks in the creating process.)

 #26  "Re-emergence of Strength " Spirit Dancer

Symbolic of the Bear emerging from hibernation with renewed strength! 

Take a deep breath, a long stroll and refresh your heart and soul, thus replenishing your strength to ward off evil!

This Dancer stands on a piece of mesquite wood with turquoise stones and a bear paw;

his headband continues the design in his breastplate with silver cones;

his braids are entwined with beads and 4 bear fetishes, one of which is carved in pipestone (from the sacred quarry in Minnesota, a place which all warring tribes understood to be neutral territory while they collected the red stone for their pipes). His fur cloak is covering his right arm that is holding a painted medallion of the Bear Spirit on the Sacred Hoop background. The left staff hosts beads and another bear fetish.  There is a piece of turquoise on his moccasin. 

"Forgotten Beauty” Spirit Dancer  #25

She spoke volumes to me while creating her and this one involved 7 days of work. She reminds me of how we have lost so much beauty in life, no matter how one envisions “beauty”.....

“Joy of Being” Spirit Dancer #24

Everyone has been given the most precious “Gift of Life” but do we realize the impact we have on others..... The true gifts of life are kindness, compassion and empathy. Live wisely!

“Resurrection From The Ashes” Spirit Dancer #23

He is symbolic of the Native Thunderbird and the mythical Rise of The Phoenix!

Many cultures have their own interpretation of the "Phoenix" and, in Asia, it is believed  the sighting of the "Phoenix" is a good sign that a wise leader has ascended to the throne and a new era has begun.

I am hopeful this Spirit Dancer will dance throughout the Universe and aid in the resurrection of Our Country to the Beacon of Freedom and Greatness once again!

Note: I beaded his headband on my childhood loom; made moccasins from tanned hide; created a beautiful robe and placed him on an awesome piece of soapstone!

“Holy Earth Gifts” Spirit Dancer #22

Native Peoples have chosen physical “gifts” of the earth as a medium of understanding between the spirit world and humans.

TURQUOISE, often referred to as the Sky Stone, aids in the interpretation of dreams, wards off evil, strengthens love and the bonds of friendship while elevating self-confidence.

CORAL imparts emotional healing and inner peace while stimulating intuition.

OBSIDIAN or JET offers protective agents against negativity and offers opportunity for change, Serenity and clarity.

"Huron Warrior Pride” Spirit Dancer  #21

When going into battle, Huron/Wyandot men painted their faces red and black and added a snake to frighten the enemy. The Hurons were greatly feared by other tribes. Today, there are at least 3 different tribes of Wyandots in Oklahoma, Kansas and the Canadian Wyandott In Anderdon. Their legacy runs in the blood of all who remain.

"GIFT OF SAGE” Spirit Dancer #20

The burning of sage, also called “smudging,” is a sacred religious practice in some Native American cultures. It is used to increase spirituality, harmony, balance, and positive energies, among other reasons.

As a very young child, I remember the Medicine Man coming to the house and blessing our home and family members with his prayer songs and sage.

To buy or sell sage negates its benefits, thus, “gifting” is the traditional way to have and utilize the benefits.

Interesting to note.... it was illegal for Natives to use sage until 1978 when the US Govt. passed the American Indian Religious Freedom Act.

^{#19  She dances for “Change, Balance and Divine Providence” Spirit Dancer.}

^{She is loaded with detail....}

^{the Butterfly on her head represents Change, Balance and Messages from “those who have gone before” .....}

^{the “Ojo de Dios” (Eye of God) held in her hands represents the “All Seeing Divine Providence” ..... she honors the "gift of life from the sun" via the necklace on her chest.}

^{#18  "On Hummingbird Wings" Spirit Dancer}

^{This was a commissioned piece for a very dear friend of mine who lost her daughter.  She so loved hummingbirds and oftentimes would sit on her front porch and hold one in her hand!}

^{This was pure joy to create!!}

#17  "Freedom" Spirit Dancer

I cannot sing or play musical instruments. I have only one small voice to contribute! However, I have been blessed with a bit of creativity which I have used to enhance my words! “Freedom Spirit Dancer” (4 days of work! Whew!) 

Notice the words on the wooden disc!

May she dance her Prayer while twirling throughout the Universe in order to preserve Our Great Country!

(SHE FOUND A HOME!)

^{#16  “Ancient Voices” Spirit Dancer   If only we would listen to the Ancient Ones to find peace and harmony.}

#15  "White Buffalo Gift" Spirit Dancer

White Buffalo Calf Woman (Ptecincala Ska Wakan): The Gift of the Sacred Pipe

The Seven Sacred Rites (symbolized by the 7 small feathers hanging from the pipe) are traditional rituals used with the sacred pipe in accordance with the Buffalo Calf Woman’s teachings.

Sioux legend tells of a young woman (2,000 years ago) who first appeared in the shape of a white buffalo who gave the Lakota’s ancestors a sacred pipe with sacred ceremonies and made them Guardians of the Black Hills. Before leaving, WHITE BUFFALO CALF WOMAN prophesied that one day she would return to purify the world, bringing back spiritual balance and harmony. The birth of a white buffalo calf would be a sign that her return was at hand.

#14 “Cleanser of The Earth Spirit Dancer” The mythical “Thunderbird” in Native America is considered to have great powers for extinguishing evil.... Thunder is the sound of the flapping wings and lightning is the glint in the bird’s eye ... rather like a warning that a Cleansing of the Earth is forthcoming. Oh that an immediate cleansing would happen! ...... I painted a different “symbolism” of Thunderbird with a bolt of lightning on the white buckskin shirt and on the leggings. On the Dancer’s left staff is a bolt of lightning I fashioned from a thin sheet of aluminum.... and another bolt of lightning on the base. The face paint symbolizes angry grey clouds with lightning bolts emanating therefrom. His braids (thrown over his shoulders) are not showing because I did not want to cover the shirt painting. Braids are tied off with 2 silver arrowheads,symbolizing the Thunderbird’s Warrior spirit in eradicating evil. This Dancer appears to be upset and “on guard!” This one took a lot of my energy this time!

WOW! What an incredible review on “Cleanser of the Earth!” .....Thank you Mortakai LeBeaque!

“I agree with the statement that the Dancer appears to be upset and "on guard." Totally appropriate for what is going on in our world today.

The lightning bolt on the base is particularly striking because it is white on black and stands out. In viewing the "whole" dancer from a distance, you appreciate the warrior nature. But the warrior nature is not combative but rather righteous reckoning

The message you were moved to create is heard loud and clear. Looking at the dancer, he portrays many of the feelings inside of me. Good job. Let's hope soon you will be led to create a dancer of love and light.”

#13 “Bear Medicine for Peace Spirit Dancer” (#14 Spirit Dancer)

The Medicine Wheel (also referred to as the Sacred Hoop) in Native America has been utilized by numerous tribes as a healing tool for sickness, balance and harmony and a means by which to bring about peace among all people.

^{#12  “Native Guardian Spirit Dancer” .... For my White Earth Chippewa cousin living in Idaho who was given the name “Wolf Protector of The People.”} 

#7 I am trying my best to avoid this ugly world by staying at my art table until the wee hours of each morning! 3 am last night!

I just completed

"Creation 1" Spirit Dancer .....

#6 "Red Sun" Spirit Dancer is only about 7” tall ......

but she is a giant with her message.... even her expression is sad.... In her right hand is a small painting I did and I was a bit surprised to see that the sun appears to be ominous. There are two gorgeous beads on her white-rope-wrapped Staff ... two orbs in space? None of this was planned.... it just “happened!”

(SHE HAS FOUND A HOME!!!!)

#5 The "Golden Harvest Spirit Dancer" is on the horizon!

This Spirit Dancer will aid in healthy crops! She is holding a “cornstalk basket” filled with Indian corn and pine cones. The Paiute Indians in Nevada host the pine nut festival each year!

Pine nuts and corn are “staples” in tribal communities.

#4 Wow and Wow!! This is “Bear Spirit Dancer” .... I felt so many emotions while creating her! This was truly a 4-day “affair of the spirits”!!!!

#3  “Blessings of Liberty” Spirit Dancer is in honor of ALL Americans fighting for Freedom and Liberty!

#2 This "Man in the Maze Spirit Dancer " is my 2nd commissioned piece and, I dare say, I have spent about 6 days creating, redoing, refashioning, and "finally getting it!" The Dancer is 12" tall, not counting the branches and stand.

#1 "Bird Song Spirit Dancer"

12” tall ...

First Commissioned Piece

My first “clay face”... notice painted bird symbols on skirt.

Bird necklace, forehead bird, bird fetishes on rawhide strips and on mask.

Way too much fun!!

"Bear Spirit Dancer" on a silver concho

Honoring the Power and Strength of the Bear

$65 +$7 shipping and handling

"First Snow" Mini Spirit Dancer

"Star Dancer" 

Beautiful gold thread fabrics -

siver disc covered with beautiful lace ..

Imagine yourself dancing among and for our celestial and sparkling night twinklers!! (Earrings included)

$65 plus $7 priority mailing)

"Dawn Dancer" .. I worked on this piece for 3 days & the entire time, I heard the soft drumming of the dawn drums! (Hide covered disc for backing) $45 + $7 priority mailing

"Moon Dancer" on a beautiful abalone shell. $45 +$7 Priority Mailing

"Starlight Dancer" 

Native attire w/turq

double necklace & belt w/stars Ceremonial face paint

Brown braid

Glittery shawl

Silver earrings w/hanging turq/silver in a "cage "

($45 plus $7 priority mailing.)