Painting with a big brush and lots of paint

The shield of the plains people was much more than a tool used in battle, it carried tremendous significance to the owner. The power and symbolic meaning began in the actual construction and continued through the use of various items adorning the shield and its cover. Specifically, the images on the surface carried significance and often were unique to the individual.

In my painting, "Cheyenne Shield Painter" a man adds to his personal shield with a dragonfly. The dragonfly often symbolized regeneration, speed and agility, and well as many other admirable traits. The Cheyenne were especially known to use the symbol of the dragonfly. The man sits at his willow backrest, near his lodge in the shade of a giant cottonwood. Using various pigments held in small wooden carved bowls he works carefully on his vision of the dragonfly. No doubt to bring him agility and speed. Perhaps he will use similar symbols on his horse.

I enjoyed working my way through this painting, the research and the photo reference (Michael Badhand). The accuracy of the clothing and various articles throughout the image all harken to mid 1800's. Sitting in my studio working away on the painting I enjoyed listening to Cheyenne stories from recordings. As I work on these pieces I can't help but create a running narrative in my head about the scene, and I ask myself questions. What did this man's world look like, why did he choose the dragonfly symbol and what exactly did it mean to him? Perhaps he had an experience as a child, or maybe an older relative, an uncle, provided him this medicine and spiritual guidance.

As an artist I have the great opportunity to return to my youth, where I wanted to be a Cheyenne. I can live through the painting, explore, and maintain my childhood curiosity about the local bands of Cheyenne, Ute, and Arapahoe.

I hope Cheyenne Shield Painter brings a curiosity about the native people to your heart and that you will take time to discover more about the plains people. Thank you for taking the ride with me.

Best wishes

JR Monks

jrmonks.com