Chief Hammerhead
Boy, did my Dad love this painting. I painted it shortly after finishing art school, during a time when I was deeply drawn to Native American culture. I have been to many sweats and powwows, always feeling a deep respect for their traditions, stories, and ceremonies. I painted ‘Chief Hammerhead’ with my Dad in mind and gave it to him. Just as ‘Flowers for Mae’ went to my Mom, this one stayed with my Dad for many years, hanging in his home until he passed. Now, it’s back with me.
Looking at it now, I see how much this painting speaks to who my Dad was and what he aspired to be—strong, noble, and protective. In a way, it captured the spirit he admired most. My Dad was an artist in his own right, working with small pelts and strips of fur to craft beautiful coats. He was a master furrier and like the Native Americans who wrapped themselves in furs to withstand the harsh winters, my Dad’s art was in honoring and shaping something enduring.
The original is in the artist's collection. It is 18" x 19.5", acrylic on board.
