Premier Art of the New West
Click on Images to Enlarge
Jim Nelson is a nationally acclaimed painter and storyteller of Lakota legends. Although not native by heritage, his formative years were spent in the shadow of Pine Ridge where he inter-mingled with his Lakota friends from an early age on, coming to know their culture as well as them. Today he paints from his heart, telling these stories and legends through the use of vibrant colors and symbolism. Everything in his work has a meaning.
Click on Images to Enlarge
JN1- 329 and 330 $45.00 each 10″ x 8″ Image
In the Beginning, grandmother made seven dolls for the seven campfires of the Teton circle. Grandmother told the mothers to teach and train the dolls because The People would only be as strong as their ability to teach and train their children.
The dolls were to be handed down through the generations so all of the children to come would have the teachings of the grandmother and the first mother.
These dolls have been recreated by internationally known artist J. Nelson with knowledge, great reverence and respect for the ways of our native american peoples. They emphasize the importance of all of our children, the way that we care for them and the need to teach them the things we should all know in our hearts.
Mitakuye Oyasin
Click on Image to Enlarge
JN1-331 $45.00 8″ x 10″ Print
History of the SUNKA WAKAN
In early times The People traveled with dogs as their main way of transporting their possessions from camp to camp. When they first found the horse wandering the open prairie they thought that the horse was a big dog. Since Grandfather had placed the big dog before them, it was sacred or holy. Sunka Wakan, sacred dog.
In this painting the horse is re; the sacred color. The aura around him shows that he gets his power from Father Sky. The yellow square with four slashes indicates that his is a war leader and has led four war parties. The eagle feather tied in his mane represents that he has distinguished himself in battle. The horse hoof markings on his shoulder tell of the horse raids he has been on. The stripes on his leg show the number of coups counted from his back. The spots on his chest are hail marks; symbolically protecting him from bullets. The four lines from the sky and the earth represent the four sacred directions. The particles rising from the Sunka Wakan’s back signify that Father Sky has touched and given him his spots.
The horse is the animal that changed the way of life for entire people. Sunka Wakan was the gift from Grandfather, the prized possession, the object of status and the power of legends.
The finest mounted cavalry in history was the Native People. The Plains People respected and honored all creatures, but the horse, Sunka Wakan, was their spirit.
Click on Image to Enlarge
We have been re-inspired lately by the richness and deep symbolism of J.Nelson’s work. Although not native by heritage, his formative years were spent in the shadow of Pine Ridge where he inter-mingled with his Lakota friends from an early age on, coming to know their culture as well as them. Today he paints from his heart, telling these stories and legends through the use of vibrant colors and symbolism. Everything in his work has a meaning.
Click on Images to Enlarge
Spirits in the Wind Gallery
1211 Washington Ave.
Golden, CO 80401
---
spiritsinthewind@yahoo.com
303-279-1192
---
Gallery
Dawn Kloba, Director
480-334-7744
Gallery Hours
Tuesday – Sunday: 10am-5pm
Monday- Closed
Call for Curbside Pickup/Appt
