Bio
I am an enrolled member of the Four Winds Confederation living in Princeton, Kentucky. I have a passion for preserving the culture, history and language of my Cherokee Ancestors, “ᎠᏂᏴᏫᏯ Aniyvwiya" (The Real People) through my colorful and contemporary art. My acrylic paintings on canvas consist of a Cherokee word or phrase illustrated by an image. Sometimes it's a simple word, sometimes it's a phrase. The subject matter varies greatly. Most of the images aren't what you would normally associate with a Native American series. I enjoy challenging people to think about Native Americans in the present tense, rather than the past.
I am also a member of the Kentucky Arts Council's Kentucky Crafted Program and regularly teach fun, empowered art classes in western Kentucky.
Potential Residency Project
A residency with me can include a wide range of interactive activities for students K-12 that touch on Cherokee and Native American art, music, history and language. I have a colorful, interactive program that engages the students. I am open to collaborating with teachers and students to create a unique, meaningful experience for each residency.
In past school presentations, I have:
- Displayed my artwork for the students while we talk about the titles, their stories and learn about the Cherokee language, culture and mythology.
- Displayed and worn my Native American regalia (clothing, jewelry and accessories,) discussed their significance, and demonstrated some Native American dancing.
- Spoken and sang in Cherokee.
- Played my Native American musical instruments (flutes, rattles and drum) and discussed their cultural significance and how they're made.
- Students have written poetry about my artwork.
- Students created a collaborative 4' x 8' painting of their school mascot (a tiger) and painted the title in Cherokee.
Some additional ideas to engage the classroom:
- Paint gourds or small acrylic canvas art based on a Cherokee title.
- Create artwork that shares some of their family culture, stories or history.
- Learn nursery rhymes and songs in Cherokee.
- Talk about some of their local history that involves First Nation people.
- I have coloring pages, word searches, crossword puzzles and worksheets to test student retention and vocabulary.
I can help teachers prepare for the residency them by providing a slideshow of my art so that students can become familiar with my art and start thinking about questions for me. Such as art techniques, their local Native American history, indigenous crafts and music, languages, art education and careers in art. I can also provide a history outline from the First Nation people point of view, links to music, and study guides.
I also offer abstract landscape painting classes, watercolor, pastels, meditative doodling and anything else in my artistic toolbox. These classes are suitable for all school ages and adults and are perfect for a one- or two-day visit. I'll explain age-appropriate elements of art and principals of art, leaving plenty of time to play and create. The lessons are intuitive, exploratory, stress-free and confidence building for everyone participating. I'm incredibly diverse in my creative experiences, so feel free to reach out to me with any ideas or requests.