Whiskey Jug with a Battle Trophy

This fall I caught up to one of my creations. I like seeing what folks do with my artistic pieces and this is one of them. Here is a fire water jug with a battle trophy attached and yes a silver ring finger shield. Its always a pleasure to view my work in the hands of another.

Plains Indian Shields

I have been lackin on my posts here. These are two shields that I had made, The red shield is a design taken from a pectroglyph carving found near the Wind River Indian Reservation here in Wyoming. I have always admired rock carvings and felt a spiritural connection to them. The head wheel and the hand rolled tin cones make for a loud jingle not intended for sneaking up on an enemy. The green painted bear paw is my favorite. I took the pattern from an original that is a German collection, my twist was to add the half moon at the top to indicate more towards the Cheyenne/Arapaho tribes. A few replica bear claws an a bear ear make for a neat composition.

"Flag Purse"

I have located my piece I made several years ago. I started beading this and put it away for 8 years or so before I finished it. On the backside I beaded a buffalo skull and "C. Bezold" and lord behold my wife whom I married years later has the same first name initial as I. The flag design is to show I am proud to be an American and this style can be seen throughout the cultures of the Plains Indians. Last is my wife has full possession of this handbag.

"Percusion Hammer Necklsce"

I am always looking for ways to "Recycle" a green theme when it comes to my art. I see pieces in museums and books of recycled items used by the Plains Indians. I bought this hammer at a local rendezvous and its a great old piece, I had to have it. After i had it for a few years my thoughts of what to do with the item grew. This necklace is my creation.

"Custer's Ear"

What was Custer thinking of when he rode into a camp of a 1000+ warriors? I know what they did to him....... As you can see I replicated an ear stretched on a hoop maybe after they stabbed his ears to make him hear better in the next world. This piece is part of my collection i proudly display as would a Cheyenne Warrior did in June 1876.

"Warfare"

Here is a blast from the past, I made several of these skulls with broken arrowhead fragments carved into place. I have one partial skull piece purchased by students at the Colorado School of Mines and is proudly displayed. I have not seen the finished display but I am sure its Awesome. Another skull I created is located in South Dakota Crystal Cavern, they had uncovered a native american burial while expanding the cave. The remains were removed but they wanted to memorialize the location of the discovery. I was supplied photos and replicated a skull with the exact fractures and colors of the original.
I have always been interested in Plains Indian warfare and weapons. I want to create more skulls in the future with a Plains Indian war-trophy thought. Many raids many blunt forces taken to ensure tribal strength and longevity.

Photo In Local Paper

Its been a while since my last blog, while attending the Sierra Madre Muzzleloaders Rendezvous in Encampment Wyoming my spirit was caught. We had a great time my family and I, even the dogs were out for the fun. I posed for a few photos and before ya know my smuck was plastered in the local paper and now its on my blog.... enjoy my FBI wanted person photo.