Americans... Can I have some help here...?

[kiwiwolf]

I need some help sourcing art work dealing with American Indians. My tattoo work is ticking along at a great rate of knots but we have struck a dead end and need a bit of inspiration.

My right arm, still attached to the rest of me, is being entered in the New Zealand national tattoo comp at the end of July. I therefore have just 3 months to get it finished. The theme is American Indian imagery done in a chocolate box sort of style. In other words it is lots of scenery, dream catchers, maidens and a chiefs face in some cloud... the chiefs face gets started next week. Fill ins so far are mainly braided leather straps, feathered conchos and bead work...

My problem is I need a couple of other big specific pieces. Specifically what I have no idea. I have run search after search on google and other search engines but the images I get are all too unsuitable. I'm not looking to grab a pic off the net and just slap it on there... I need an idea that my tattoo god can play with and adapt...

Any input would be tremendously appreciated. As I say I have 20 + hours to go on my arm and only 3 months to do it in... What I am after is help with sourcing artwork or just ideas. Anything to help break the block... HELP!!!!

 

[Hamletmaschine]

There is a museum of American Indian art, I believe, that is attached to the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, Wyoming, and another one located in Indianapolis, Indiana, but I don't recall its name. You might also check the Smithsonian Institution and its national museum of the American Indian.

 

[Guest]

Try this link:

http://www.dharmarose.com/enter/fw/native.html

 

[lilminx]

Here's a link to the National Museum of the American Indian :


http://www.nmai.si.edu/

I didn't really check it out, so I don't know if they will have anything on there that will help. A search for museums might be helpful though.

 

[Hamletmaschine]

Thanks for doing that, Minxy--I would have, but I can't figure out all these damned buttons...

 

[MsFigment]

Possibly some of the links here might help you find what you're looking for:

http://directory.google.com/Top/Arts/Visual_Arts/Native_and_Tribal/North_America/

 

[flash_4_me]

Living in the middle of the Red Man's land, Arizona...the imagery is everywhere. There are a lot of sacared meanings to all of the images from Native American history so I would advise you to be cognizant of that and respect it. "Some chief" probably gave his life for his people and should be represented accordingly.

That being said, animals are a very, very large part of the graphics seen yesterday and today. Geckoes, bears, turtles, bison, snakes, wolves and many other creatures adorn all manner of objects. Most are basic, crude representations and look better that way.

A good site to start with would be http://www.american-indian-art.com/ There are good representations of Native American artwork (including Indian tattoos) that will give you some more ideas.

Best of luck!

 

[kiwiwolf]

Living in the middle of the Red Man's land, Arizona...the imagery is everywhere. There are a lot of sacared meanings to all of the images from Native American history so I would advise you to be cognizant of that and respect it. "Some chief" probably gave his life for his people and should be represented accordingly.

I'd like to say right now that I have nothing but the utmost respect for the Native American culture. This has already been covered in an old thread. I picked the Native American/Indian culture because of the closeness they have with nature. Don't worry I don't sail into these things lightly. Thanks for your input flash...

To all the rest of you who have taken the time to reply to this thread... thank you...I am gonna be a busy boy for a while. But if you have any ideas... please don't be afraid to share them... I still need all the input I can get...

 

[RhumbRunner13]

Indian Art.

KW,

Try a search for; Hopi, Zuni and Kachina and follow any links.
They are the tribes that I'm familiar with that are well known "artisans", but I'M really not that knowledgeable about Nations outside the southwest.

RhumbRunner

 

[kiwiwolf]

*Bumping for the afternoon/evening gang*

Still need ideas folks...

 

[Lost Cause]

Instead of a generic face, do you have a specific subject? Do you want the art to stand for something like defiance against overwhelming odds? Try keyword searches for Crazy Horse, or Geronimo, both were spirital and warrior leaders. Chief Red Cloud, and Chief Joseph is another excellent example of great leadership in adversity.
Don't stick to a generic image like a buffalo nickel, it would dishonor the spirit of what you want to achieve. Good Luck!

 

[EvilBrat74]

Eagles are common with tatoo artists.
Arrow heads, buffalo horns, hand made daggers.
Stuff like that.
I'm gonna do a search on one of my ancestory tribes.
I might be back to post a link to a cool picture or two if i find some.
Good luck with the compitition(sp)

 

[Lost Cause]

Here's some inspiration; http://maier1.best.vwh.net/native/spirit.htm

Yahtahe Oshone!

 

[kiwiwolf]

Instead of a generic face, do you have a specific subject? Do you want the art to stand for something like defiance against overwhelming odds? Try keyword searches for Crazy Horse, or Geronimo, both were spirital and warrior leaders. Chief Red Cloud, and Chief Joseph is another excellent example of great leadership in adversity.
Don't stick to a generic image like a buffalo nickel, it would dishonor the spirit of what you want to achieve. Good Luck!

Lost Cause I knew there was a reason I liked you... Thank you... I have done what you suggested and have some awesome ideas and art work to sort through. You are right about the generic face... every man and his dog has an indian face on thier bod. I want all of my work to mean something. Cheers man...

 

[Lost Cause]

Ooh! Ooh! Try this one! http://www.indians.org/welker/leaders.htm

 

[Lost Cause]

One more score! http://www.prairiestar.com/
"Custer wore Arrow shirts!"

 

[kiwiwolf]

Eagles are common with tatoo artists.
Arrow heads, buffalo horns, hand made daggers.
Stuff like that.
I'm gonna do a search on one of my ancestory tribes.
I might be back to post a link to a cool picture or two if i find some.
Good luck with the compitition(sp)

Thanks EvilBrat... all input is welcome. I have a shitload of material now but still need more... When my right arm is finished we are starting on my left. Same theme but different pics.

 

[kiwiwolf]

Lost Cause I owe you a case of beer or two... This stuff is fantastic. The real fun part is going to be researching the subjects i get inked in... Awesome my friend... many thanks

 

[scylis]

here's a thought:

have at least one wolf done in a similar style to Black_Bird's raven/crow av. one like you'd find scribbed upon a cave wall or on a wall painting or something.

 

[scylis]

actually, why not have the whole other arm done up to look like a cave painting or some such? the little stick dudes chasing the stick deer and buffalo with their stick bows and spears, stick wolves and such howling at the moon. going WAY back to the roots.

 

[kiwiwolf]

here's a thought:

have at least one wolf done in a similar style to Black_Bird's raven/crow av. one like you'd find scribbed upon a cave wall or on a wall painting or something.

It's a great idea scylis, but I already have one wolf inked in and two more planned for the other arm. Any more would be wolf overkill... check the pic on the tattoo thread. It's on page 4... called perkyswolf

 

[kiwiwolf]

actually, why not have the whole other arm done up to look like a cave painting or some such? the little stick dudes chasing the stick deer and buffalo with their stick bows and spears, stick wolves and such howling at the moon. going WAY back to the roots.

I already have ink on the other arm... an eagle sitting on a tree by a stream. The stream is going to loop around my arm and I will have a brown bear fishing for salmon in it on the inside of my left bicep. The left forearm is still up for grabs but it has to mesh with the upper arm work. I like your ideas but they wouldn't go with what I already have...

 

[scylis]

*snaps finger*

well, damn.

 

[Lost Cause]

This is really obscure, but check Biker links like t-shirts, and gas tank art. Alot of us feel a companionship with the original horsemen of America. I have a medicine bag on my handlebars, and a crow feather and a blue hand (American Indian symbol of mankind) on my helmet. Alot of Bikers have cow skull designs and mandellas, and alot of heavy medicine painted on their bikes.
Still looking......

 

[kiwiwolf]

*snaps finger*

well, damn.

LMAO... thanks for the input anyway man... no ideas is going to be discarded... all of this goes as hard copy into my tattoo files... Thank you again.