Art Therapy

Greeter, sculpture by George Carlson, meets visitors
at the Museum's main entrance.

My original plan was to go to the Fire Department Instructors' Congress 

at the Indiana Convention Center. It was, that is, until I found out 

it was going to cost $45 to browse the Convention Center floor to check out 

displays  of the latest fire fighting apparatus and equipment.

Instead, I walked over to the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians 

and Western Art, where I spent the entire afternoon surrounded 

by beautiful things. Of course, I took so many pictures 

I can't possibly show them all.

I will begin with a few of the beautiful paintings

and carvings, then dole out the remainder on other days.

I visited with one of the Museum's volunteers who was explaining

and demonstrating how Native Americans used materials

found in the natural world to create items for every day use

as well as for ceremonies, utilizing as much of the animal

as possible, so as not to waste a valuable resource.

 Of course, this included the American Buffalo, 

as well as bear, rabbits, beaver and porcupine.

One of her most interesting items was a blanket woven from

strips of rabbit fur. Its loose weave was warmer than one might think, 

the wearer's body heat retained among the loose strands of fur.

The mask above was created using the bone marrow from

the spine of a whale, surrounded by polar bear fur.

Carrying that bit of information helped me to appreciate

the carving below, also made from bone marrow ... 

Bear, by Wilson Oozean (Inuit, Gambell),
Bone Marrow

... was one among many examples of items carved from

parts of the animal most of us might think expendable.

Old Woman Singing Traditional Song, 1998
by Mattiusie Iyoituk (Inuit, Ioujivik, Born 1950).
Serpentine with caribou antler

These beautiful creations are the work of contemporary artists 

using materials and traditions of their forefathers.

Fisherman, by Stanley Seegaman (Inuit, King Island)
Ivory, thread, and baleen.

In addition to the Native American art and artifacts, 

the Museum has a beautiful collection of Western American art, 

containing examples of the visions of the first explorers to 

contemporary artwork, particularly that done by

artists of Native American heritage.

Snake Indians, by Alfred Jacob Miller, 1840
(American, 1810 - 1874). Oil on paper

The artwork spans the past two centuries. I prefer the smaller works.

Somehow, when the ambition of size is not present, the artist

nevertheless gives one a sense of both the grandeur of the people 

and the landscape, at the same time creating an experience

that is more intimate and personal.

Morning Drink at the Foot of Mt. Hood,
by Albert Bierstadt
(American, born in Germany, 1830 - 1902)
Oil on paper.