Jessica Crabtree

It’s finished! My latest portrait, Zuni, 14×14 pastel on suede.

JESSICA CRABTREE NATIVE AMERICAN PORTRAITS & WILDLIFE: Zuni

Now I can add the signature and it will be ready for my Gallery. You can see the painting in various stages by clicking the “Latest” tag below, or “Sneak Peek” on the menu.

This portrait is based on a 1903 photograph from the Edward Curtis collection. A huge portion of this work is dedicated to images of the Southwest, particularly the Pueblo regions where this man is from. (continue reading…)

Where I stand on my latest portrait, Zuni, 14×14 pastel on suede.

Several of my newest paintings will be on display in a dedicated show at the First Service Bank in Clinton, Arkansas, 486 Highway 65 B, courtesy of the the North Central Arkansas Foundation for Art and Education. The exhibit will continue through the end of January. Call 501-745-7200 for details and for viewing times. You’re invited to chat with the artist and enjoy refreshments at a reception on Saturday, January 23 from 10am-12.

Here’s my latest finished project, Crow, 24×30 pastel on suede. The portrait is based on Edward Curtis’ 1908 photograph, “Red Wing.” He’ll be added to my Gallery shortly.

JESSICA CRABTREE NATIVE AMERICAN PORTRAITS & WILDLIFE: Crow

The traditional name used by the people of the Crow nation is “Apsaalooke” meaning “people of the great bird” or eagle. Through mistranslation, however, the name of this bird has come down to us as “crow” instead.

The Crow were an integral part of the quintessential Plains Indian culture. Their homeland includes the Yellowstone Valley in what is today Montana and Wyoming. After the arrival of the horse to the region in the early 1700s, the Crow adopted a nomadic lifestyle, following migrating bison and other game through large swaths of the Northern Plains. They maintained trade networks reaching as far as the Pacific.

The Crow were renowned for their prowess in battle against other Plains Indians such as the Lakota. In a practice known as counting coup, a warrior gained prestige by sparing the life of a defeated opponent. During the westward expansion of the United States in the 1800s, many Crow – including the one portrayed in this painting – served as scouts for the U.S. Army in campaigns against their traditional enemies.

Paintings from my portfolio will be featured throughout the month of September in a dedicated exhibit at the Joyce Burns Art Gallery, 687 Main Street in Clinton, Arkansas. My latest works will also be on display. For more information including viewing times please contact the gallery at 501.745.5970.

Here’s the latest shot of my new painting Apache, 12×16.

More to come!

First stage of Apache, 12×16, pastel on suede. It will be in full-color, but in a painting with lots of dark shadows I find it works better to put in the darkest areas first. This look of this initial black layer has a really neat effect, I think. More coming soon!

I’ve finally finished my portrait of this Lummi woman. She’ll be up on my Gallery soon.

Lummi, 16×20

JESSICA CRABTREE NATIVE AMERICAN PORTRAITS & WILDLIFE: Lummi

The Lummi nation is part of the Salish family of peoples of what is today Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia, where they have lived for millennia as hunter-gatherers. Lummi people are renowned fishermen and have developed many ingenious and efficient methods for catching salmon, their staple food. Using the raw materials abundant in the coastal forests of the Pacific Northwest they are also expert woodcarvers and basketweavers.

Their society traditionally revolved around small autonomous communities where extended families lived in longhouses constructed from native red cedar. Communities were tightly knit and often gathered to share goods and ceremonies in the legendary festivals known as potlachs – a custom which has continued even to this day.