Alyice on December 5th, 2008

A Little Indian In Me?

When my mother was alive, she loved anything and everything to do with the Indian heritage. She was drawn to it like a deer is drawn to water. She’d attend Indian Pow-Wows, shop at Indian stores, wear Indian apparel, and at one time, had her entire living decorated with Indian décor. And it never failed, every time she met a full-blooded Indian, they’d always ask how much Indian she had in her and from what tribe—and that’s before they even spoke to her. They said it had something to do with her bone structure; especially her cheekbones. And I’m not completely positive, but I think they said something about her spirit.

Personally, I’ve never been to a Pow-Wow—or an Indian reservation for that matter—and if you asked me what tribe they thought she came from, I couldn’t tell you. My mom was a rather private person when it came to the history of my people—as was her mother before her, and her mother before her. I actually know very little about where I came from, who my ancestors were, and what nationality I really am.

I do know for sure that my grandmother was first generation American and her parents migrated to America to escape the war. I also know that my great-grandmother (her mother) was 100% Polish and her husband was 100% Russian. And I know that my biological father has German in him. Other than that, everything is speculation. It’s been said that I have Swedish, English, and Irish in me—but I can’t prove it.

And if you ask my husband, I have Mexican or Latin in me—which is probably because I took on the heritage of my surroundings growing up. It’s really all I knew.

There are times when I daydream about having a smidge of Indian in me and wonder if that’s why I have this strong draw towards nature, the great outdoors and living under the stars—though I know absolutely nothing about camping, farming, or ranching. I do know, however, that I seem to come alive when we spend the day in the outdoors—hiking, exploring, and photographing nature.

At any rate, this is a painting I did in honor of the possibility that my mom had some Indian in her, after all. It reminds me of cave drawings, but in color. If you stare at it long enough you can see the head of a bird in the lower, left corner and just above the bird, a spirit flying free. And if you look just a bit closer, you’ll see a woman looking down upon the two, on the top, right—just within the pink.

Until next time,

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Comments (8)

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Kristen says:
This is gorgeous-colors, symbolism, everything just flows so well together.
Posted at 10:56 pm December 5th, 2008
Nicki says:
Alyice – I absolutely love this! It is not only gorgeous, it looks like I picture your soul.

We use to have a Pow Wow up here every year. I think it is still around in a smaller version than previously and at a different location. Maybe your mom visited at some point in time.

Nickis last blog post..A Different Lesson from College
Posted at 11:47 pm December 5th, 2008
Mary Hunt says:
I see your spirit soaring within this painting!
The one great beauty of painting, for the painter, is that there is meaning and for the viewer there will be meaning…a painting has something for everyone!
Nice piece, Alyice!

Mary Hunts last blog post..An ART Day!
Posted at 2:22 am December 6th, 2008
Alyice says:
Oh girls, you are making me blush! Of course, my husband couldn’t see the imagery in it last night so I was a little wigged that I might be the only one to see them–but now I know otherwise. Thank you.
Posted at 2:26 am December 6th, 2008
trisha too says:
The colors are so rich. It’s beautiful.

trisha toos last blog post..altered tin with magnetic paper dolls
Posted at 11:08 am December 6th, 2008
Alyice says:
Thanks Trisha! Hey, I stopped by your blog. I liked the altered tin with the magnetic dolls. Very creative. If my daughter or nieces were younger, I’d make that as I think it would be a great way to build imagination in our children, easy to take along on doctor visits, and a very affordable gift!
Posted at 11:39 am December 6th, 2008
Val Foster says:
This is a stunning piece. I definitely love the colors and the impact. And yes, I can see the bird and the spirit, but can’t see the woman. Oh well, two out of three is good, right? Keep on painting, you’re a natural at it.

Val Fosters last blog post..New art — just flying by the seat of my pants
Posted at 6:54 am December 7th, 2008
Alyice says:
Val, you did better than my husband. LOL He said he is just too “art challenged” to see anything let alone truly appreciate art. If you look at the pink mass on the upper right, you should see too dark areas that look oblong at first glance. Just stare for a few minutes and the face will appear. When I first saw it, it was haunting. Now, I just smile and think, “Did I really create that?”
Posted at 7:03 am December 7th, 2008

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I'm a freelance writer, mixed media artist, SMVA, and the owner of The Dabbling Mum.

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