Chief Joseph

[Pyrographer]

I am finishing up a burning of Chief Joseph and thought I'd share what I have done so far. I still need to finish his face, feathers, shirt, beads and details.

If you notice something "off" on the right side of his face, it's not me...it's the chief. After studying his photos for hours I've figured he probably suffered a stroke or palsey because his right side droops and the iris of his right eye is oval which is usually a sign of disease.

I have also taken some artistic liberties with his headdress and beads....

Normally I don't use color but I am going to add a touch of color in areas and it probably won't be very noticeable because I want to keep it sepia tones as much as possible but leaving my options open until I get there.............

Nedra

[GeorgiaCarver]

My goodness, I continue to be so amazed at your tallent! That is a beautiful portrait.

Greg

[Kenny_S]

Simplely put, A fantastic burning. I wasn't sure if I was looking at a photograph or a burning. You definitely have cuagt the spirit in CJ!
Thanks Nedra, Fantastic!

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

"I will fight no more forever!" This was a good man trying to protect his people! outstanding job!

[Pyrographer]

Thanks Kenny and Greg, I've enjoyed this although I've hit some creative blocks several times along the way but I think I've finally gotten past it. I also made some "creative" changes of my own as I hate "copying" and prefer to instill some of my own inspiration even in a portrait.

This had a lot of detail and I swear I will never do another chief with a ton of beads!!!! Sad

I'm going to focus on his face until I have it finished then get to the rest of it.

We're heading to the Olympic Penisula tomorrow for several days of R&R. I know that seeing those mountains up close and personal, running my toes through the sand at the beach, snorting mold & slugs in the rain forest and sipping wine at the wineries should put me just in the right mood to work on old Chiefy!!!!
Cheers

Nedra

[wade clark]

Nedra,
Nice work!
Chief Joseph was a great man, from the part of the country I was raised in, Eastern Oregon/Western Idaho. My Dad's brother, Dale, married Ruth who was a grand daughter of Chief Joseph. She was always one of my favorite people and a wonderful cook. She could even make mutton taste great! AND she had a great sense of humor!
That's a wonderful tribute to a great man!
Wade

[Mottles]

Thumbs Up Wonderful portrait Nedra--I don't see anything I'd want to change. Your right about his right side I've looked at images of him also. First thing that struck me was what I would call a lazy eye. Probably a muscle or nerve problem. Looking forward to seeing the finish with the color work.
It has such a warm sensative look about it. Excellent!
Kathy

[squbrigg]

Beautiful work, great image of him. Hard to tell it's a burning, looks so real, more like a sepia photograph.

Well done.

Bob

[Kenny_S]

Nedra, You say you had a mental block several times. Well, It must have been good ones asyour burning of Chief Joseph Is fantastic and you did captured him just right. Glad you had mental blocks. I am thinking it helped.

Did that sound right?
Anyway, Fantastic.

It is SAD how the NA had to live in the white man's bureaucracy but was not allow to participate in it.

[jax]

Great portrait!!! All that detail would drive me crazy........that's what probably caused the mental blocks.

I've heard someone say that mental blocks are the pause that refreshes!

Waiting to see the finished portrait.

Jax