"We did not think of the great open plains, the beautiful rolling hills, and winding streams with tangled growth as "wild". To us it was tame. Earth was bountiful and we were surrounded with the blessings of the Great Mystery."

Luther Standing Bear - Rosebud Sioux

Guardian of the Water Medicine

Guardian of the Water Medicine
Dale Auger

Dale Auger

Dale Auger: On Art, Blood and Kindred Spirits
by Terri Mason

Defining Dale Auger in one sentence is akin to releasing the colours of a diamond in one cut. It can’t be done. It’s the many facets that release a diamond’s true brilliance, as it is the many facets of Auger’s life, education, ancestry, experiences and beliefs that have shaped and polished his work into the internationally acclaimed and collected artist that he is today.

Born a Sakaw Cree from the Bigstone Cree Nation in northern Alberta, Auger’s education began as a young boy when his mother would take him to be with the elders. “I used to say to myself, ‘Why is she leaving me with these old people?’ – but today I see the reason; I was being taught in the old way.”

Auger’s respect for traditional teachings led him on a journey to study art, opening the door to a doctorate in education. He is a talented playwright, speaker and visual artist whose vividly coloured acrylics have captured the attention of collectors that reads like an international ‘Who’s Who’ spanning English to Hollywood royalty. The essence of his work is communication, and now Dr. Auger has come full circle, interpreting the life of his culture – from the everyday to the sacred - through the cross-cultural medium of art.

Read the rest here:

http://www.daleauger.com/printversionbio.cfm

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

A Painter's Life

By: Andi Murphy

CROWNPOINT, N.M.—One self-taught Navajo artist went from hoping to make a sale from his art to being bombarded with requests for his beautiful paintings.

William "Willie" Murphy, 57, was born in Crownpoint and attended Gallup High School where he took an art class for three years.

One of the art students was advanced and already using oil paint while the other students, including Murphy, had to study books and basic technique.

"We were sitting the other way and he was painting," Murphy said. Watching the other student paint, Murphy knew that's what he wanted to do.

When he graduated high school in 1968, he got a job with the Navajo Nation. About his artistic skills, Murphy said, "I didn't think I had the talent. I didn't bother with it after high school."
It wasn't until Murphy turned 28 that he decided to paint. After being laid off from his job, Murphy didn't have any money to support his family.

"I told him that he should paint and he could do a real good job," said Oleta Murphy, his wife of 33 years. She had noticed that his artistic skills were good and had potential.

Get the whole story here: http://www.reznetnews.org/article/feature-article/painter%2526%2523039%3Bs-life

Check out his website here: http://www.williemurphy.com/
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