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In 1993 a Blue-Jay hit my window and consequently died. Three years later, being one who likes to keep spirits alive in my work, I built the 'Broken Bird Spirit Shield' to remind and protect me from a syndrome that I and others suffer from, (BBS).

Who has never taken a broken spirit and mended it, only to watch it fly away? Ya! Right! "Set it free and if it returns"..yada, yada, yada (It is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all.) Who said that? Do I sound bitter? I'm not really , I can only stand so much though.

Its composition is of Red Trade Wool stretched over a 19" diameter Wooden hoop. Blue-jay wings and tail feathers decorate the centre with a rawhide medicine wheel wrapped in dyed Porcupine quills and a Wild Turkey feather. The 'Seven Eagle Feathers',18" long, are hand carved from White Pine and stained with natural Walnut dye. Each feather is wrapped in red wool and tied with yellow yarn.

This shield is comprised of commercial tanned Moose hide stretched over a 17" diameter hoop of Maple sapling.The White simulated Eagle feathers are wrapped in blue felt and tied with yellow yarn.

The Indians believed that the Pony Soldiers of the Cavalry drew their power from the ever present U.S. flag. When the Pony Soldier flag design was put on a skull, the intention was to bring that same power to the whole tribe.

It was also a sign of respect for the power of the Pony Soldier and his nation.

This shield is comprised of a 16" x 20" dogwood hoop with rabbit skin, concho, wild turkey feathers wrapped with red felt and tied with yellow wool, and a painted ceramic buffalo skull.

containers    miniatures    mixed media    gauntlets    masks/dolls    paintings    skull beadwork    war shirts    footwear