Four Winds
This painting was sold to an art Gallery in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 2002.
I was a touch hesitant to paint this one, since the four colors of the four directions of the traditional Native Medicine Wheel are flowing left and is considered the opposite direction of the natural flow of life.
The man within the shield is a very powerful medicine man. Backwards People (so I was told) are such people who do not have to go through the traditional channels of Native Spiritual beliefs in order to seek power and wisdom within themselves. They are quite a controversial people since they can contradict many beliefs and traditional ways of the Native Culture even though they are respected.
The man is sprinkling tobacco as an offering to the Creator (The Great One Spirit). The great bird-like figure within the clouds above him represents the Great Thunderbird Spirit, of power and wisdom. The four figures within the feathers are of the Grandfathers of the Four Directions. The Eagle above carries the medicine man's prayers to the Creator
Acrylic on Canvas 16x20
2000
Privately owned.