Sandhill Crane Painting

I am a Southern heritage feather painter. Feather painting is a Native American artform which was handed down to me. In 2001, Jeb Bush, Governor of the State of Florida, abolished state recognition for non-federally recognized tribes. This made it illegal for American Indian artists, from over 500 non-recognized Florida tribes, to call their work "American Indian Made" or to call themselves "Native American artists." Enraged, I quickly took up a leadership position in my tribe and started promoting my artwork as a protest to this onerous change in Florida legislation. I use my paintings not only as a protest but also as a way to showcase causes, key concepts, social justice issues, ecological issues, history, and more. Since then, I have become a multi-award winning author on social justice issues. I often marry my art and my writing (i.e., doing feather painting talking pieces for Restorative Justice circle sessions and also for the cover image of one of my books). I am also a member of Animating Democracy. I am most known for my intricate detail and unique interpretation of concepts. I am also known for conveying feeling through my art. In one instance, I had been rejected by a local gallery and told I had no artistic talent. It crushed me but I strove on. Soon, I was selling out at shows in other cities. The gallery found out and asked me to resubmit my art with the warning they would not be lowering their standards. Irked by their handling of things, I painted this savage, wet, raging boar hog in a rain storm. I called him "Maynard." As I told my wife, "They acted as swine to me so I shall give them swine to judge!" Needless to say, I got into the gallery and Maynard now rests on the wall of an award-winning Kansas City barbeque restaurant.