ACEO Original Watercolor Gouache Painting ATC SFA

I studied Native American Art with the late Mars Biggoose in 1987-88 and his influence can be seen in these small paintings.

These Paintings depict visions and the search for spirituality.

I have been asked about the symbolism in my paintings. It is not only symbols but colors that are important. I come from a Cherokee background so I can only speak to the Cherokee ways I was taught by my grandparents.

In the Cherokee colors are associated with the 4-directions.

Blue - North/Cold - Defeat and Trouble (Why you see so many Trail of Tears paintings in blues)

White - South/Warmth - Peace and Happiness

Red - East/Sacred Fire - Blood and Success

Black - West - Problems and Death

Other Colors are Brown - Good, Yellow - Trouble and Strife

You will see a Circle in most all of my paintings. It is a common mistake to think of it as the moon. However, it is because the circle is a basic symbol of the Cherokee. The Council Houses were circular and the fire inside was built so that it would burn in a circle. Dances such a the Stomp Dance are done in a circular pattern, etc.

My Cherokee ancestors were forced to march from their Georgia homes to Oklahoma in 1838

In one of the saddest episodes of Cherokee history, men, women, and children were taken from their land, herded into makeshift forts with minimal facilities and food, then forced to march a thousand miles (Some made part of the trip by boat in equally horrible conditions). Under the generally indifferent army commanders, human losses for the first groups of Cherokee removed were extremely high. John Ross (Cherokee Chief) made an urgent appeal to General Scott, requesting that the general let his people lead the tribe west. General Scott agreed. Ross organized the Cherokee into smaller groups and let them move separately through the wilderness so they could forage for food. Although the parties under Ross left in early fall and arrived in Oklahoma during the brutal winter of 1838-39, he significantly reduced the loss of life among his people. About 4000 Cherokee died as a result of the removal.

2.5 X 3.5 inch Watercolor on Strathmore Paper

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