Featured Artists at Native West Trading Company
Everything has beauty, but not everybody sees it...-Andy Warhol
Below are just some of our artists. We hope to add more information every month as many of our customers love to know more about the artists and their creations.
Tamara Stands and Looks Back-Spotted Tail
Tamara Stands and Looks Back-Spotted Tail is from (Sicangu Lakota Oyate) known as the Rosebud Sioux Tribe which is one of the seven bands of the Great Sioux Nation.
Tamara is the great granddaughter of Chief Stands and Looks Back and Mary Spotted Horse.
Tamara’s inspiration for jewelry making comes from years of self-teaching through her cultural values, studies of Lakota history and culture. She has long forged an interest in jewelry making and arts crafts since she was young woman. Despite not becoming a professional artist until later in life Tamara defines her art as therapy and she uses a positive creative process in creating one of a kind pieces to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being through her creativity. With good thoughts and prayer, who wears her creations may they walk their path in life with good health and beauty because this is (wolakota) the Lakota way of life.
Kevin Pourier, Buffalo Horn Artist
Kevin Pourier, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, has been carving Buffalo horn on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota for about 20 years. Pourier is one of the only artists in the country working in the medium of incised buffalo horn. The works he produces carry forward Lakota artistic practices for creating spoons and vessels of sublime beauty from the horns of the revered animal. His carvings reveal the beauty he sees in the world around us, utilizing imagery intent on inspiring thought, growth and creating the opportunity for education. To learn more about Kevin, visit his website, click here.
Ward Two Eagle (Nape Waste Wicasa)
Ward Two Eagle (Nape Waste Wicasa) is one of those rare artists whose talent is notable across several mediums. Drawing and painting, his beautiful handmade bows and arrows, leather and beadwork…and he is a tattoo artist: All of his work is very artful.
Ward Two Eagle lives and works on the Pine Ridge Reservation near Porcupine, SD.
Richard Flittle, Drum Maker
Richard Flittle is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. He was born and raised on the plains of South Dakota. He served four years from 1965-1969 in the Marine Corps, including a tour of duty in Vietnam. He worked his way to California in late 1972 where he has lived since. Richard is married and has one son and three grandchildren who also live in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Richard spent most of his adult life working as a carpenter/builder. After retirement he started getting involved in his native culture attending Inipi (sweat lodge) and other ceremonies. During that time he attended a drum making workshop and immediately knew he had found his calling for the next part of his life. That was November 2009 and he has been making drums ever since. He spends a lot of time selling his drums on the Pow Wow trail in central and northern California. Richard also has drums in many countries around the word.
Learn More about Richard, click here
Helene Gaddie, Crafter
Wanahca Waste Win, Helene Gaddie, is a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation from the Oglala Band of the Seven Council Fires. She grew up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and currently resides near Lost Dog, a small community on the northeastern portion of the Pine Ridge Reservation. She is a graduate of Little Wound High School, class of 1998. She received an Associate Degree in Nursing from Oglala Lakota College (OLC) in 2002 and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Natural Science-Earth Science emphasis in 2010 from Oglala Lakota College. During her undergraduate, she received the Spirit of Jeanne Smith Award, and the South Dakota Board of Regents Undergraduate Research Scholars Award. Helene was selected to take part in the 2008 National Institute of Health Scholars Short Course in Genomics in Bethesda, MD.
Since 2008, Helene has worked with K-12 students on the Pine Ridge Reservation and surrounding areas in STEM outreach and afterschool programs. Helene worked at Oglala Lakota College Math and Science Department as Outreach Coordinator & Environmental Services Coordinator as well as an adjunct instructor. She received the 2012 Oglala Lakota College Director of the Year award for her outstanding work in the community, as well as the 2013 Pejuta Haka College Center Adjunct Faculty of the Year Award.
In 2013, Helene co-founded Generations Indigenous Ways, an informal science educational program that integrates Lakota Culture and Western Science. Generations Indigenous Ways is a Native non-profit organization that is an affiliate of The Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples Inc. Helene is currently helping organize afterschool science programs as well as Lakota cultural seasonal camp programs on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.
Sam Two Bulls
Sam Two Bulls graduated in 1991 from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, NM, where he developed his artistic style. He sold his work in New Mexico for a year at tourist attractions in Taos, Santa Fe and Albuquerque then he moved back home to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. He comes from a family of artists and it was his love of his people and his roots that brought him back to the reservation.
Much of his work which varies from paintings, jewelry boxes and wooden figures, focuses on animals and symbols of his heritage - buffalo, eagles, dragonflies, horses, tee pees and often includes Bear Butte and the Black Hills as a backdrop. He always incorporates his buffalo sponge in his work along with a toothbrush for a splatter technique.
Mr. Two Bulls works out of his home where he has a shop where he creates. He uses a multitude of mediums - acrylic paints, power tools and wood-burning tools for woodworking. His work can be seen South Dakota businesses, galleries, flower shops and local hospitals. Patrons from all over the US order from him directly as well. And every year he goes back to Santa Fe, which he calls his "home away from home" to visit and to sell his work at art markets where he gets inspiration from other artists.
One thing he said he would like for people to feel when they see his work is the brilliance of the colors he uses.
"When people see my work, they always like the vibrant colors. I like them to feel like whenever they see it, they'll be taken back by the striking colors. There is a lot of confidence in my work and I'd like them to see that," he said. "I also honor the animal. I honor the buffalo. People ask me why I do it - it's to honor."
More of Our Artists
Paulette Iron Crow
Alex Romero-Fredrick
Anita Brown
Rose Little Thunder
Tilden Reddest
Collen Little Moon
Melfred Ashley
Louis Shaw
Don Starkfish
Jean Gunhammer
Amanda Ghost
AND MANY MORE……...
Thurman Horse (Canupa Nakiciniji) which means "Protects The Pipe "is an Enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Thurman Horse is a Artist, Actor he received a commission from the Oglala Lakota College, Kyle South Dakota for two watercolor originals which were reproduced as posters commemorating the 1992 graduating class.
Thurman Horse
Ivan Knife, Sicangu Lakota Artist from White River, South Dakota. Intricate porcupine quillwork.