Are you having trouble trying to visualize the illustrations exhibited on this site? While some are simple and direct others are more complicated and thus more difficult. I myself have to look many times to see some of the designs. Once again we should take note that the most recent of these works would probably be 250 years old, and most are older than that. Also the harsh exposure to weathering has made many difficult to recognize. Indeed I have learned to print proofs in one session and evaluate at a later time, to give my eyes time to rest and refocus. I would also add that vigorous exercise before study, and even during study periods is a secret for success! Visual literacy is developed it is cultivated, it grows with exposure to art works.

At any rate here are several more prints to view. See what you might make of them. At sometime in the future I hope to exhibit all of the prints in public exhibitions, there are many to study and enjoy.

There are also a large number of Effigy Stones in the collection, these of course have to be photographed, and will then be displayed as photographic illustrations. Small stone effigies were a delight of America's early inhabitants, humans, birds,rabbits,rats ,monkeys, dogs, cats and so on. So we will continue for some time to come! I have noticed that you can access the earlier post that have been made, see the right side bar. So that is all for this post, Thank You for taking the time to visit me here at The Collection Of Indigenous American Art.

In my last post I related of conversations with local Artist and Folklorist that suggested that these stones bearing engravings were valued as trade objects. That each stone had a value , and to some degree that the quality of the art work was an important factor in determining its worth. Note of course that the particular stones value was not fixed as it is in modern money systems, quiet often it did depend on what hand held the stone.

Another point and the subject of this post, is that each stone bore a unique original design. While many are somewhat similar, no two are exactly alike. This is an important point, that the design was by all means a product of the surface of the particular rock. Lets say that the stones shape was a factor that the craftsman had to take advantage of or likewise overcome.

Now, doesn't the preceding paragraph seem to define problems that are more sculptural than graphic? This is true especially when we take into consideration that most of our modern art printing methods by definition require a flat surface as a starting point. So here we see that another dimension has been added, there are hills, valleys,and other imperfections to take into consideration and deal with . Finally, we see that these factors to a great extent, dictate how the final art work will appear.

In future post we will explore the possible reality that art in the 19^th and 20^th centuries was in great part defined by the graphic works of indigenous American craftsmen, that the somewhat strange and stunningly beautiful faces of a master like Pablo Picasso , may have been inspired by the works of unknown stone age craftsmen endeavoring to place an exquisite face on the irregular surface of small but very significant stones.

When I began to collect the images in The Collection of Indigenous American Art , I had little knowledge of the magnitude of the art form that I was studying. I had learned of the cultural habit from class mates while in college. I was told that the American Indians were extremely fine stone carvers and print makers ,and that they worked beautifully in miniature fore mats.

Over the years I have had the opportunity to observe many examples of American Indian stone craft. Most of these works were smaller than 3 inches in diameter. My standard documentary proof is created on a page 2.125 inches by 2.75 inches. I would point out that this is smaller than a standard playing card.

Images of human faces dominate as subject matter, occasionally animals are seen, these images may represent mask or face paintings. It is interesting to note that many of the faces are very modern in appearance, and that some works represent Europeans and African people.

Artist do not always have a purpose in mind when they create art, however in this case I was told that these objects were used as money, that in fact this art form is the source of the custom of imprinting a human face on coins and notes. We should take note here that if this is true the American Indians engraved each piece individually.

What I have written here is as it was explained to me by various people, It is most probably correct and factual information, however I will ,to be honest and on the safe side, say that it is the opinion of layman.

Look carefully! Use zoom and rotation. Old, Rare, and so Beautiful!

Do You like modern graphic art? So do I. I'm talking about Intaglio, and Lithography and methods like Serigraph and Wood Cut. I would suggest that a through knowledge of these basic printing processes is probably a prerequisite for understanding the material posted on this blog site.

I do not know when or where the American Indian Nations began to carve stones. Likewise ,I do not know about their printing methods either. This is an important point, I am producing the artist proofs from their stone works, it may not have been their intended purpose. I will let you judge that for yourself. I think that however, you will agree that there are interesting images produced in this process.

It is important to remember that the stones that produced these proofs have been exposed to the environmental conditions unprotected for hundreds of years. The proofs were produced as rubbings using a black Crayola Crayon as medium. The paper used was common 20# ink jet printer paper.

I see groups of faces in this print. Some are quite well conceived. This is the most common motif. Often smaller faces will combine to form a larger face when viewed from a greater distance. Multiple viewpoint is also very common in the art of indigenous people in both north and south America, this is to say that they saw their art as having no top or bottom, no right or left sides and therefore no corners.

As I stated in the first paragraph of this writing, I am interested in modern and post-modern graphic art and photography. I find wonderful inspiration in the study of these fine images. For me it represents the root of our post-modern graphic art. There are many prints to display, we will view new subjects in each posting.