Sterling and fine silver
Hand dyed and woven porcupine quills
Genuine Leather
I love the idea of combining traditional designs and artworks and contemporary art. I love learning different techniques and thinking “outside the box” when it comes to creating. I felt hindered for a long time when it came to my artwork because I felt like I needed to only create a certain type of traditional Chickasaw art. Then it dawned on me after talking with a coworker and friend that the artwork I create now is still Chickasaw art given my heritage. Since, I have allowed myself to more freely create and find unique ways to tie in traditional art forms and designs with a more modern and contemporary style. This piece, I tried to really capture the “old and the new” with the finish of the metal. The sterling silver color is polished to a more satin finish, to allow the quilled piece set in sterling silver to really “pop.” I gave the quilled piece a more “vintage” feel with a variety of sanding and engraving techniques, then finished with a patina to give the metal an aged appearance.