Marla Skye
Nation/Clan: Onondaga
Media: Painting/Illustrations
EXHIBITS (selective):
Invited to be a member of the American Delegation of Native artists to exhibit artwork at “Art en Capital” Grand Palais, Paris, France, Nov. 22-27 2011, Nov. 27 – Dec. 3 2012
Orenda Gallery, “Smoke Signals” Artwork chosen for invitation, Paris, France, Nov. 2011
XV International Exhibition 2013 2nd Edition, Barcelona, Spain, 1/17/13 – 1/30/13
Salon du Dessin et de la Peinture à l’eau, Art en Capital, Grand Palais, Paris, France Dec. 4 – Dec. 8 2013
XV International Exhibition 2013 2nd Edition, medal awarded, Barcelona, Spain, 1/17/13 – 1/30/13
Artist Statement:
Marla Skye is an international artist and has been creating art since childhood. Influenced by her family’s creativity she aspired to be an artist at a young age. Her late father a member of the Onondaga Nation was a skilled woodcarver and artist. Marla Skye is a 1997 Graduate of The Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Marla’s work depicts a variety of themes. “My ideas come from my heritage and from the spirit of creativity that the Creator has blessed me with.” Marla enjoys sharing her heritage through her artwork. “I think that if you have been blessed with a gift that it is important to use it and also to share it with others.”
Erwin Printup
Nation/Clan: Cayuga/Bear
Media: Painting/Illustration
Artist Statement:
Erwin Printup is a member of the Bear Clan, Cayuga Nation, was born in Niagara Falls and raised on the Tuscarora Reservation. Erwin began his career in his teens when he studied stone carving with Duffy Wilson. He then began painting in 1979 with Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) culture being his inspiration. In 1991, he received his Associates of Fine Arts degree from the Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
In 1994, Erwin was selected to illustrate Jake Swamps book “Giving Thanks”. In 1995, the book was published by Lee and Low Books and was featured on the PBS television show “Reading Rainbow”. Then in 1997, “Giving Thanks” was made into a video by Weston Woods Studio animating Erwin’s illustrations. In 1998, Erwin had an illustration included in another Lee and Low book, “America”.
Erwin Printup has shown his work internationally and has worked in many different medias such as metal and soapstone sculpture, traditional pottery, print making and silver jewelry, however, he prefers painting with acrylic on canvas.
More recently in 2005, Lee and Low named Erwin on of their top ten artists for their ten year anniversary.
In 2007, Erwin played a significant role as illustrator, curator and exhibitor at the Native American exhibit “Many Winters Ago” at the
Castellani Art Gallery at Niagara University in Niagara Falls, New York.
Currently, Erwin’s work can be viewed on permanent display, entitled the “Tuscarora Exhibit” at the New York State Power Authority Power Vista in Niagara Falls, New York.
Michael Jones
Nation/Clan: Onondaga/Seneca Descent
Media: Iroquois pottery, sculpture and pen/ink design
Artist Statement:
I was born in Lawton, Oklahoma at the Indian Hospital but we moved to the Cattaraugus Reservation at the age of 4. I started making pottery to sell at the age of 11 or so and I used to follow my father (Pete) to sell his art. We used to hitch-hike from “Bucktown” to the Seneca Nation clinic to sell when I was very young. It was our main source of income so I caught on quick. I’ve always liked clay as a medium, it can mimic stone when you carve it or it can be molded or added onto, it’s just very versatile.
What I like to do is incorporate Iroquois beadwork, wooden ladle and bone comb designs into my pottery as well. The pit firing process gives the pieces a more raw and earthy look akin to the original pre-contact Iroquois pottery. My pen and ink drawings are something I’ve always done but have recently started showing. I work without a sketch of what I’m going to do and if I make a “mistake” I turn it into something else that usually ends up looking better than what I was originally trying to go for. Some originals are as large as 18×24 but most are 9×12. The subject matter of my drawings range from personal experience on and off the reservation as well as dreams and imaginations.
Education:
Ceramics- Apprentice to father Peter Jones, Design- Workshops with printmakers Jack Lamotte and Jean Lamarr, as well as self-taught
Some places I have shown and permanent collections:
Heard Museum- Phoenix, Arizona, Iroquois Indian Museum- Howes Cave, New York, Seneca-Iroquois Museum, Salamanca, New York, The Buffalo Gallery – Alexandria, Virginia, American Indian Contemporary Arts – San Francisco, California, Southern Plains Indian Museum – Anadarko, Oklahoma
Lyle Logan
Nation/Clan: Seneca Nation/Deer Clan
Media: Graphite drawings with emphasis on portraits, animals and nature; watercolors and acrylic paintings; graphic designs for companies, organizations and sports teams and events; tattoo designs; wood burning and carving; traditional craft work (ie. Medicine masks and turtle rattles)
Artist Resume:
I received some formal art school training from R.I.T. majoring in Medical Illustration/Fine Art and at Columbus Community College with classes in Graphic Design. I have exhibited my work at the NYS Fair through the Six Nation Agricultural Society; at the SNI Allegany Library and at Tonawanda Reservation Historical Society Art Exhibits. I presented my work at the Artists Demonstrators tent at the SNI Fall Festival and have won 1st place awards at that events Art show. My work has been displayed at the Allegany Casino and I have sold work to and exhibited work at the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum.
Artist Statement:
I am an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation who has been practicing my artistic craft for approximately 25+ years. I have cultivated a sincere interest in producing artwork in a variety of medias that exemplifies my cultural and traditional upbringing and that is reflective of such in the subject matter of my work. At this point in my artistic career, I have a determined motivation to be able to produce something not only positive and aesthetically pleasing contributions back to my Native community through the use of my artistic abilities. My goals are being able to successfully reinforce the proud legacy of our Native people by producing some of the best artwork possible representing the rich heritage of the Haudenosaunee.
Ruth French
Nation/Clan: Seneca Nation of Indians Allegany Reservation/Wolf
Media: Drawing, painting and woodwork design
Artist Resume:
I never really had any formal training, only in high school, my art teacher, Mrs. Sciandra was a big influence on me to try different kinds of art.
I also won a logo contest by the Seneca Nation to design a crest for the Marshal fleet cars within both territories. For the past 20 years, I have shown my art works and wood works at the NYS Fair Indian Village in Syracuse. My woodwork and artwork can be seen or purchased at my residence in Jimersontown, on the west end of Salamanca.
Artist Statement:
Growing up with my grandmother, Martha Bucktooth, I got to be around to watch and learn her creativity. She could do all kinds of bead work designs, crochet, and sewing. She encouraged me to try different kinds of art medias, she was my best critic. Drawing and painting was always my first passion, but I discovered I was pretty good at woodwork, especially the scroll saw. My designs reflect my native roots and I am very proud to pass on my Grams’ creativity to my daughters.
3670 Center Road, Salamanca, NY 14779
(716) 801-2369
Bill Crouse
Nation/Clan: Seneca/Hawk Clan
Media: Painting, drawing, singer, lecturer, dancer
Artist Resume:
William Crouse Sr. is a member of the Seneca Nation of Indians of the Hawk Clan. He is a faithkeeper, singer, and speaker of the Coldspring Longhouse.
As group leader, singer, lecturer, and dancer of the Allegany River Indian Dancers, Bill has travelled all over the U.S. and Canada. He has performed in Rome, Italy and Wurtzburg, Germany as well. He has worked with the American Indian Dance Theater as a choreographer and consultant and was featured in their video “Dances of a New Generation”. His music recordings of Iroquois Social dance music, Smoke dance music and “re-mix” are a hit with young and old alike.
As a graphic artist his work is displayed at the Seneca Iroquois National Museum, the Iroquois Museum, Howes Cave N.Y., The Seneca Allegany Casino, and many private collectors. He has also illustrated many designs for Native Stitches and Seneca Language Publications.
For more information on booking a dance performance, purchasing music or artwork please contact Bill at (716) 244-0705
