Repetition is an important part of any learning process. Teachers must repeat themselves continually. It is a reality of the developing understanding in the student. So with this in mind I repeat many things here in the blog post. The images are new each week, but the text is somewhat redundant. I do by all means advise the reader to visit the Library . Take advantage of the many sources of information that you will find there.

Now I would like to point out a basic feature that many of these stone plate works have in common. Many small linear images combine to form a single larger image. The smaller linear images makeup a larger mass reality. This is the reason that viewing from a distance on each print is important. The dominant large image may not be visible when viewing from normal reading distance, likewise the beautiful little linear characters seem to vanish when observing from a distance, say 6to8 feet.

I once heard a local folklorist explain thus...”At a short view one sees all the members of the tribe, when we look further the greater image comes into site, this is the Ancestor the Elder or the Chief”.

As we look at the new prints each week it is sometimes difficult to realize that the images have come from stone plates that are very likely better than 250 years old. I tell people that if I had been told about this art form, I would have doubted that it could exist. I do think that the images are very modern in appearance and, that it is shocking to see art work of such quality engraved on such small plates.

I do not correct or alter the images. I should point out that many of the stones have been damaged. I make no attempt to repair anything. Once again I post the images for those who understand and appreciate the opportunity to see rare graphics that are totally new to the art world. At the time that this blog publishes I am the only person that has viewed the selected prints.

Before I began this blog, I searched the internet looking for art work like I had become accustom to. I found nothing that resembled these images, so I decided to show what I have found. I hope that you will continue to visit this blog and that you enjoy the new prints!

Art or Gold ?

Which do you think is better art or gold? It does appear that the North American indigenous peoples had a money system based on original art. Actually they traded objects or goods and then used art work to even the transition to the satisfaction of the parties evolved. This was probably particularly true in North America where there was little gold to be found. The southwest had both gold and silver but this was a limited supply. Actually I think that they only valued gold as a medium to use to create art!

As I have pointed out in earlier post, these prints came from stones that are examples of these “Trade or Barter” stones. Each stone was engraved individually. In modern systems we use metal dies or plates to stamp or print metal or paper money. This method naturally depends on the technology needed to create both plates and dies and then the stamping and printing equipment as well.

Now lets go back to our topic statement, Which do you think is better art or gold? Today many still prefer art as an investment, while others prefer gold. I am not going to draw any conclusions, instead I will allow the individual reader to consider this. Instead I will pose a question, Do you think that art produces a stronger society?

This has been a busy week for me. I am launching the new Contemporary Art website on a Google site. While it is simple by comparison to using a web editor program, it is still a lot for a beginner to learn. If your taste and interest include avaunt guard abstract art, I hope you will visit the site. I will include the URL in my next post. The title that I have chosen is “Art Studio File” so you might be able to locate the site if you would like a look now. Like I said most of my time has been spent there so I have prepared an abbreviated post for this week!

I am preparing to publish these blog post in book form. There will be added graphics and photographs as well. I will relate the particulars as the project unfolds

Here are several new images. I have updated to Picasa 3 this has greatly improved the quality of the graphic images. Once again I am learning as I go along. Thank You for your interest in my blog.

You can reach me at ciaamuseum@gmail.com