Butterfly Kachina

[Mottles]

Title: Poli Sio Hemis (Butterfly Kachina)
Size: 9 Inches to top of center feather
Medium: Cottonwood
Hi All:
Here is the little kachina I’ve been talking about. He is based on Tom Moore’s book ‘Carving Traditional Style Kachina Dolls a Schiffer Book publication for wood carvers.
Poli Sio Hemis represents the butterfly, which pollinates corn and the desert flowers. The Butterfly is a Zuni katchina and related to third mesa Poli Kachina.
I used pyrography and acrylic paint for the color design. The tablet head piece is carved and feathers separately. I also carved the sash as a separate accessory (Moore paints the sash on the skirt and doesn't have feather's on the tablet).
Moore’s book was very helpful in learning to carve this type of kachina (belly acher). The name belly acher refers to the hands being carved close to the body. I'll be mounting it onto a cottonwood limb base.
As always I appreciate your comments and I’ll be happy to answer (if I can) your questions.
Kathy

[santagibbs]

Kathy, he is so neat and colorful. They look like fun to do . I saw the book the other day and thought it would have a lot of neat dolls in it.. Your paint very well also. Thanks for showing him to us and the story that tells about him.. Charlotte

[Mottles]

Hi Charotte, thank you--this one was a lot easier than my first one. Carving the arms close to the body is much less of a challenge--painting took longer than carving LOL. Moore's book is very helpful and I recommend it.
Thanks again,
Kathy

[Mottles]

Hi All, I was looking at the first set of images of the kachina and they looked a little dark. So thought I'd just lighten up two images front view and back view.
Kathy

[Paul_Guraedy]

Kathy, I like the Butterfly Kachina very much. You are capturing the spirit of this type very well. It is the pose that I prefer as it is the closest to the original carvings as most modern ones get. The original pieces were intended as teaching tools and only sufficient detail was put into the dolls to insure a correct identification. The "action" type dolls are beautiful and as art objects are much nicer than the type you carved; but, to me, something is missing. Extremely well done!

[Mottles]

Paul, thank you so much for such a wonderful complement. I too am parcial to these little belly acher katchina's. I really can't take full credit as I followed Moore's instruction. I did add a carved sash and feathers atop the tablet.
I have totally enjoyed discussing and learning more about katchina's.
Kathy
Kawai-i is on the work bench...and probably my last for a while. I may carve two more Butterfly kachina's for my granddaughters for Christmas.

[Colin-Partridge]

Kathy,
He is just wonderful I have never seen that book I would love to get a copy. Maybe I will look for it when I am in PA next month. Your painting is perfect really colourful and I think you do an absolutly fabulous job on carving and painting.
Very well done.
Colin

[Callynne]

Kathy, he's beautiful! You really are doing a wonderful job on these dolls! Thanks for sharing them with us! Deborah

[MelNM]

Looks great Kathy, you got the Kachina bug aye... I'm still carving ornaments, maybe thats next.

[Mottles]

Colin

Thank you so much I'm pleased you liked my Butterfly Kachina. Tom Moore’s book ‘Carving Traditional Style Kachina Dolls a Schiffer Book publication for wood carvers. I got my copy from www.amazon.com for $14.95. I can't take full credit as I did follow his pattern. I did add the carved feathers at the top of the tablet and added a carved sash. I really love the belly acher dolls the best without the vivid colors they are more like the original dolls.
Thanks Again,
Kathy