A life size wooden
Indian faces my gallery every day. He wears a war bonnet,
is dressed in buckskin and holds a tomahawk. Each morning he is
dragged out of the shop called Shalako that sells old Native American
Indian silver jewelry and adornments. Then he goes back inside at
closing time. He stands sentinel at the door and
tourists from all over the world have stopped to have their
picture taken next to him.
Santa Fe is
the meeting place of the universe for Indians this weekend. Indian Market is in progress. Today, a real
Indian stood next to the wooden one as I took a picture. He grabbed the ax from the wooden Indian's hand and smiled while I photographed. He is from the Jicarilla Apache
Nation in New Mexico, and is here among tribe people from all over the United States,
including Alaska, and also some from Canada.
Tents line every street
going out from the plaza. The Indians sell their pottery, jewelry,
weavings, artwork and more. Tourists come from all over. They can
be seen waiting at the booth of a favorite artist for over an hour
before opening time at 8 AM on Saturday morning.
Throughout the two days, there are continual performances of native music with colorful dancing in traditional costume . . . and a spirit of happiness and excitement pervades everywhere.
My gallery is only
100 feet from the plaza. Often, downtown businesses complain that
shoppers are so fixated on the Indian crafts that their businesses go into a
sales slump. Last year I had the good fortune to sell a big painting
during the market.
I show up with a positive attitude and am thankful for what fate brings . . . and this year some collectors came
in and bought art from me; including a portrait that I had just
completed. You might call it a “native” portrait. It is of an
indigenous woman from South America, wearing her native costume,
including a bright red felt hat.
 |
| "The Red Hat", oil on linen, 20 x 20 inches by Steven Boone |
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