Crow Mother Kachina

[Mottles]

Definition Crow Mother:The Crow Mother Kachina (Angwusnasomtaka) is a figure of great dignity and considered by many Hopi to be the Mother of all Kachinas. She appears on all three mesas and supervises the initiation of the children into the Kachina cult.
Later in the ceremony, she leads other Kachinas into the village holding a basket of corn kernels and bean sprouts to start the new season properly.

Crow Mother: 9 Inches Tall, 4 Inches Width
Wings, hands and yucca whips carved separately.

Hi All, I've been working on Christmas presents for my family. One of them is 'Crow Mother' , who will be given to my daughter. All the hard work is completed now 'Crow Mother' is ready to paint.
I do have one decision and maybe you can give me your opinions. I've seen the robe both painted (more traditional) and wood stained with painted feathers at the neckline. I'm leaning toward wood staining the robe and painting on the feather's and lower front and side designs. Even if I decide I don't like the wood stain I can always paint the robe. What ya think?????
As always I value your comments.
Kathy

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

why not? gives you an option if you do not like the stain? What is going on with this site? I can not type a word with a apostrophe? A popup appears at the bottom saying find or some stupid thing?

[fishcarver2004]

Hi Kathy, i think i what mine paintedIndian123
But i think what ever you do it will be AWESOME!
Stacey

[AlArchie]

Dave, have you been stirrin' up the 'puter spirits agin? I told ya not ta do that, didn't I?

And besides that you are not supposed to be apostophyzing in public. You better appologize, and soon!

Al

[Mottles]

Indian123 Actually Al, it may not be poor Dave at all. Those kachina's can be quite mischievous so I have read anyway.

Dave, thank you for your thought I've just about decided to stain the robe first using burnt umber oil paint. If I don't like it then I'll have to complete the entire kachina using oil paints. Which is OK, just will need a longer drying time.

Hey Stacey, nice to hear from you and thank you for your input too. If I do another one I'll paint the robe.

Thanks all,
Kathy

[Kenny_S]

I agree Kathy, stain it and if you don't like it, paint it. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

[Mottles]

Thanks Kenny, will post another image after I get the stain on the robe and some paint on the other areas of the kachina. The ruff around the neck is a bit of a stain also. It will be a reddish brown sienna to simulate fox fur. I'm looking forward to getting some color going. I also have three butterfly kachina's to paint. whew may need to call in santa's elfs. LOL
Kathy

[MelNM]

Hi Kathy the Crow Mother is coming out great. Are you also going to burn the feathers?
Mel

[Mottles]

Originally Posted by MelNM

Hi Kathy the Crow Mother is coming out great. Are you also going to burn the feathers?
Mel

Hi Mel, and thank you. The feather's will be painted a blue-black any burning of the feathers would just get lost. I do need to run some sand paper over the feathers to smooth them out. They need to have a smoother appearance than they have in this image.
Kathy

[Bartster]

kathy,

excellent work cant wait to see it painted.

bart