Grey Hawk – This painting is based on a pony who possessed spirit, stamina, and speed. The Red Tailed Hawk feathers are strong medicine for the Cherokee Upper World and endow the bearer with strength and swiftness of flight. The Cherokee did not paint their horses with war paint.
Grey Hawk was chosen for the month of December in the 2002 Cherokee Calendar, hence his winter coat.
Price for Original: On request
(all copy rights retained by artist)
The Southeastern tribes began riding and using horses for utilitarian purposes after introduction by Europeans. It is understandable that pride of ownership would develop for horses with particular abilities and personalities.
Brave Heart – This painting was inspired by quotations contributed to Black Elk. “Many times my horse and I have journeyed far to the camps of my enemies. We have eaten together. We have slept together and faced many battles together. White men say a horse has no soul but I have often seen the soul of my horse in his eyes. My horse is as my brother. He has the soul of a warrior.”
Peace (foal) – In my mind’s eye all babies are images of innocence and most represent the spirit of Christmas and hopes of renewal for all people everywhere. White is the color most associated with peace. Purples and reds are the colors of passion. The straw bedding is a reminder that Christ shared his birthplace with the animals. Peace was chosen for the 2003 Cherokee Calendar, also for the month of December.
Buffalo Pony Dancing
Buffalo Pony Dancing (Boy) – This image came on a beautiful Oklahoma spring day, the kind of spring day that makes colts run and kick their heels for the sheer joy of living. Buffalo Pony Dancing is a small boy riding his “buffalo pony” stick horse. He’s decked out in his best regalia and feeling so good he can’t help dancing. In all probability a boy this age wouldn’t have been caught dead riding a stick horse but would have already been an accomplished rider. Sometimes artistic license is lots more fun to paint.
The Maghreb Cavalier – The “Zenetes mount,” prevalent throughout the Maghreb Desert in Tunisia, belongs to the fantasia riders. In the midst of such a harsh land, there rises a joy of life, a sense of beauty, even of the lavish, which has always inspired the Maghreb imagination. For the Berber, the horse is an indispensable companion, noble and blessed by God, in this very heart of the rural regions of North Africa. He wants a fast and strong horse, a tough horse, a warhorse; a Barb horse.
Emir Abd El~Kader, who headed the resistance movement against the Algerian Conquest, from 1832 to 1847, wrote:
“Ask the night how many times I tore its veil. Rode a horse with thinned sides and of stature. Ask the desert, the hills, the valleys and the plains. The distance I have covered. I wish only to fight the enemies. And to conquer their courageous cavaliers with mine”
War Pony I – Sioux, is the first edition in a series of four prints depicting Native American war ponies. Markings painted on horses before battle had both physical and spiritual meanings and have been carefully researched for authenticity.
Quality print reproductions available for order.
Learn more about Painted Ponies.
War pony II
Two-Face, War Pony II – Cheyenne, is the second edition in a series of four prints depicting Native American war ponies. The red circle around the eye aided in improving the horse’s vision. The feathers tangled in the forelock are from the owl, Chief Spirit of the Night, and are symbolic of the courage, stealth and speed needed for war.
Medicine hat war pony III
Medicine Hat, War Pony III – Comanche, wears the red hand of death, signifying his rider has killed an enemy in hand-to-hand combat. A seasoned campaigner, he won the honor of displaying the down “breathing feather” and eagle feather roach worn between his ears to show his feats in battle. Notched feathers represent the number of times wounded and the red spots indicate slain enemies, one spot for each enemy conquered.
War pony IV
Wind Walker, War Pony IV – Apache, is a Palomino Paint Pony and the final edition in a series of four prints depicting Native American war ponies. The zig zag lightning marks on his neck are a symbol of great power. The strap around his neck is woven of leather strands with small stone amulets and sacred feathers. Its purpose was to protect the wearer from the enemy and to aid his prowess in battle.
Note: Wind Walker is a Palomino Paint…..the white was a small amount on his shoulder and sides which doesn’t show in the painting.