Jessica Crabtree
Native American Portraits & Wildlife
Pastel on Suede Originals www.jessicacrabtree.com
On the cover page: Zuni, 14 x 14 original pastel on suede
Jessica Crabtree Native American Portraits & Wildlife Brochure Design Š 2010 All rights reserved
Contents Index
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page 1
About Pastel on Suede .
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page 3
Portfolio .
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page 5
FAQ's .
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page 32
Price List
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page 35
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page 37
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page 38
About the Artist Contact
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Acoma page 5
Bandit page 8
Zuni page 9
Apache page 12
Crow page 15
Lummi page 18
Great Blue Heron page 21
Cougar page 22 -1-
Comanche Boy page 23
Malachi page 24
Blackfoot page 25
Intruder page 26
Blue Bill page 27
Red-Crested Pochard page 28
Andalusia page 29
Young Navajo page 30
Navajo Chief page 31 -2-
Pastel on Suede Pastel on suede is a unique medium that combines rich textures for a dramatic, realistic look. These original paintings are made using both soft and hard varieties of pastel chalks. They are worked on suede mat board, which has a thin layer of velvet on a sturdy backing. The suede is an ideal canvas for pastels because unlike paper, it has a surface that allows layering and blending of chalk. The process of making a pastel on suede painting involves several phases of layering, blending, and molding. The result is a fine artwork with compelling, life-like depth and texture.
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Framing All of the originals shown are custom-framed immediately upon completion. This is necessary to protect the surface of the painting, as no chemical sealants or fixatives are used in the process of the work. Non-reflective glass is used to reduce glare on the image and enhance quality of viewing. Because the glass is in direct contact with the painting, the chalk is secured to the suede by a permanent static bond. In addition, pastels are renowned for their lightfastness, with a greater longevity than most other mediums. This means that a properly handled pastel painting is both durable and timeless.
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“Acoma” 18 x 24 -5-
Faces from the Pueblos: “Acoma” By Jessica Crabtree 18x24 Original Pastel on Suede
Acoma is an original pastel painting based on a 1905 photograph by Edward Curtis. It is customframed under non-reflective glass.
About the Acoma The Acoma people, who call themselves “Haaku,” are one of nearly two dozen Pueblo communities in northern New Mexico. -6-
Their pueblo, known as “Sky City,� is built on top of a mesa where for centuries the only access was a single staircase carved by hand out of the sheer sandstone walls. Thanks in part to this defensive position, Acoma is possibly the oldest continuously inhabited constructed settlement in North America. From its remote perch on the steep white plateau, the Acoma pueblo has witnessed the rise and fall of the Aztec and Maya empires (its trading
partners
in
ancient
times),
the
incursions of Spanish conquistadors, and the American conquest of the Southwest. Today, the Acoma still live in their ancestral fortress, where they continue to practice traditional arts, ceremonies, and farming.
www.jessicacrabtree.com -7-
“Bandit” 15 x 18
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“Zuni” 14 x 14 -9-
Faces from the Pueblos: “Zuni” By Jessica Crabtree 14x14 Original Pastel on Suede Zuni is an original pastel painting based on a 1903 photograph by Edward Curtis. It is custom-framed under non-reflective glass.
About the Zuni The Zuni people call themselves the Ashiwi and are one of more than twenty independent communities making up the Pueblos of the Southwest. The name “pueblo” or “village” was given to them by Spanish explorers describing the adobe communities that filled the region. - 10 -
It was fabulous reports of the exquisite jewelry made by craftsmen of the seven Zuni villages in northwest
New
Mexico
that
first
inspired
Coronado's search for the legendary “Seven Cities of Cibola.” One traditional form of jewelry made by Pueblo peoples is “heishi,” meaning “shell jewelry.” Necklaces such as the one shown in this portrait were made from shell and semi-precious stones, often imported from the California coast or even South America, and ground into perfectly-shaped beads by Pueblo artisans. A single necklace can contain thousands of these beads. Heishi making is one of the oldest art forms in North America and is still practiced by expert Pueblo craftsmen today.
www.jessicacrabtree.com - 11 -
“Apache” 12 x 16 - 12 -
“Apache� 12x16 Original Pastel on Suede Apache is an original pastel painting based on a 1906 photograph by Edward Curtis. It is customframed under non-reflective glass. - 13 -
About the Apache The Apache people, along with their close relatives the Navajo, call themselves “Diné,” meaning “the people.” These nations are part of an extended group of closely related nations and bands who once inhabited large areas of the Great Plains. When they reached the deserts of the Southwest in the 1500s, the Navajo gradually adopted the agricultural lifestyle of the region's Pueblo peoples, while the Apache continued their traditional nomadic ways. Their fierce independence and their exceptional survival knowledge have become legendary.
www.jessicacrabtree.com - 14 -
“Crow” 24 x 30 - 15 -
“Crow” By Jessica Crabtree 24x30 Original Pastel on Suede
Crow is an original pastel painting based on a 1908 photograph by Edward Curtis. It is custom-framed under non-reflective glass.
About the Crow The traditional name used by the people of the Crow nation is “Apsaalooke” meaning “people of the great bird” or eagle. Through mistranslation, however, the name of this bird has come down to us as “crow” instead. - 16 -
The Crow were an integral part of the quintessential
Plains
Indian
culture.
Their
homeland includes the Yellowstone Valley in what is today Montana and Wyoming. After the arrival of the horse to the region in the early 1700s, the Crow adopted a nomadic lifestyle, following migrating bison and other game through large swaths of the Northern Plains. They maintained trade networks reaching as far as the Pacific. The Crow were renowned for their prowess in battle against other Plains Indians such as the Lakota. In a practice known as counting coup, a warrior gained prestige by sparing the life of a defeated
opponent.
During
the
westward
expansion of the United States in the 1800s, many Crow – including the one portrayed in this painting – served as scouts for the U.S. Army in campaigns against their traditional enemies.
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“Lummi” 16 x 20 - 18 -
“Lummi� By Jessica Crabtree 16x20 Original Pastel on Suede
Lummi is an original pastel painting based on an 1899 photograph by Edward Curtis. It is custom-framed under non-reflective glass.
About the Lummi The Lummi Nation is part of the Salish family of peoples of what is today Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia, where they have lived for millennia as hunter-gatherers. - 19 -
Lummi people are renowned fishermen and have developed many ingenious and efficient methods for catching salmon, their staple food. Using the raw materials abundant in the coastal forests of the Pacific Northwest, they are also expert basketweavers and woodcarvers. Their society traditionally revolved around small autonomous communities where extended families lived in longhouses constructed of native red cedar. Communities were tightly knit and gathered often to share goods and ceremonies in the legendary festivals known as potlachs – a tradition that is continued even to the present day.
www.jessicacrabtree.com - 20 -
“Great Blue Heron” 16 x 20
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“Cougar” 16 x 20 - 22 -
“Comanche Boy” 12 x 16
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“Malachi: The Messenger� 16 x 20 - 24 -
“Blackfoot” 24 x 30 - 25 -
“Blue Bill” 8 x 10
“Intruder” 9 x 13 - 26 -
“Blue Bill” 8 x 10
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“Red-Crested Pochard” 8 x 10
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“Andalusia” 14 x 18 - 29 -
“Young Navajo” 16 x 20 - 30 -
“Navajo Chief” 15 x 18 - 31 -
FAQ's -What kind of pastels do you use? Each painting requires a variety of soft and hard pastels. I use Sennelier soft pastels, Prismacolor NuPastels, and Art Spectrum most frequently. -Do you use fixative on your finished pastels? No. I never use any chemical products on my artwork. The suede has a thick pile that allows the chalk to blend deep into the surface for a more permanent finish. The painting is then framed with the suede directly against the glass – this creates a static bond and prevents any loosening of the chalk. -Are your originals already framed? Yes. Immediately after completion, each painting is enclosed in a custom-built frame that protects its surface and beautifully complements the artwork. Non-reflective glass is used to reduce glare.
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FAQ's -Do you offer prints of your artwork? No. Part of the value of original art lies in the fact that each individual painting is hand-crafted and one-of-a-kind, and will never be mass-produced. This makes them a valuable long-term investment. -Where can I buy one of your pastel originals? My paintings are available through my online Gallery Store at www. je ss i c ac r ab t r e e . c om. -Is buying art online safe? Yes! When you purchase an artwork through my Gallery Store, you will be taken to a secure PayPal checkout. The entire transaction is encrypted to ensure the protection of your personal information. Your painting is shipped carefully packaged and insured for its full value.
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FAQ's -Do you ship internationally? Yes, international collectors are welcome! PayPal's merchant services also provide currency conversion. -Can I buy a painting as a gift? Absolutely! A fine art original makes a perfect gift for a friend or loved one. Just specify this when purchasing your painting and be sure to provide the appropriate shipping information. I'll even provide complimentary gift wrapping at your request!
www.jessicacrabtree.com - 34 -
Price List 0001
Navajo Chief
15x18
SOLD
0002
Comanche
12x16
SOLD
0003
Young Navajo
16x20
$495.00
0004
Andalusia
14x18
$325.00
0005
8x10
$75.00
0006
Red-Crested Pochard Blue Bill
8x10
SOLD
0007
Intruder
9x13
$225.00
0008
Big Sun
8x10
SOLD
0009
Feather
8x10
SOLD
0010
Blackfoot
24x30
$695.00
0011c
Malachi: The Messenger (Commission) Comanche Boy
20x24
SOLD
12x16
SOLD
0012
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Price List 0013
Cougar
16x20
$595.00
0014
Great Blue Heron 16x20
$425.00
0015
Lummi
16x20
$625.00
0016
Crow
24x30
$695.00
0017
Apache
12x16
$395.00
0018
Zuni
14x14
$579.00
0019
Bandit
15x18
$425.00
0020c Vivian (Commission) 0021 Acoma
16x20
SOLD
18x24
$799.00
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About the Artist Jessica Crabtree is a freelance artist working from her studio in Arkansas. She specializes in portraits of Native Americans that reflect extensive research of their histories and cultures.
Her art has been exhibited successfully throughout the state, and on numerous venues on the Internet. She also does commissions on a selective basis.
Find out more about her work and research by visiting her blog:
www.jessicacrabtree.com - 37 -
Contact
Native American Portraits & Wildlife
289 Glacier Drive Clinton, Arkansas 72031
501.745.8741
jessica@jessicacrabtree.com
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