A couple of weeks ago, Leigh and I had the ultimate privilege to attend our first dance "pow wow" here in Cody. It was held and sponsored by the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. We were invited to sit with dancer, Stan Bearpaw, the dear friend that I just painted. I learned more that day about these great people and the events then I ever knew.
The "Grass Dance" style is a very old dance rich in history that has become very popular. In the old days, it was the job of the grass dancers to flatten the grass in the arena before a pow wow. The name "grass" does not come from the stomping of grass, but it comes from the old habit of tying braids of sweetgrass to the dancer's belts, producing a swaying effect.
Today, Grass Dancers resemble a multicolored swaying mass of yarn or fringe on the dance floor. The Grass Dance is a very fluid and bendable style, with the dancers trying to move their fringe in as many places as possible at once. The Grass Dance style was born in the North, but its popularity has spread South, and now this beautiful style is availible for everyone.
   
The regalia of a Grass Dancer is very different from most other styles. The head gear is much the same: roach, spreader, and maybe a beaded headband. One primary difference in Grass dancers is the optional "antennas, " which are long, thin wires with fluffs attached to the end that protrude from the spreader in the place of roach feathers. Most dancers today wear fringed capes that are edged with lots of yarn or chainette fringe. Multicolored designs in the yarn are popular, but all white with colored highlights is becoming popular. A matching apron to the cape is worn to cover the waist, and usually fringed sidetabs are worn as well. Instead of leather leggings, most Grass Dancers will wear a pair of jogging pants that have been modified with fringe just below the knees. The bells are worn just below the ankles above the moccasins.

We had several of these great dancers pose for us including Stan Bearpaw. I will be painting several more including a young man named Wayne Fox who won the much prized custom "long rifle" presented by Stan Bearpaw's girlfriend, Yvonne Banks. I will be painting as well. Her portrait will be a special one. She will be holding the last rifle her father built before he passed away last year. Her father has be presenting these rifles for many, many years to the best dancers. This was the last one her father built. It was very, very moving for her as for everyone in attendance. Here are Yvonne and Stan when they presented the rifle to Wayne Fox (left), the winner.
   

Here is day one Of Waycie Roundstone.

Even though Waycie is a dancer, after going through the many photographs of Waycie, I could not pass up this fantastic head study. One does not have to look straight into this young man's eyes to see the intensity of his soul!


 

I have started this piece a little different, in the fact that I laid in the background first. There is just so much horse hair on his head that it had to be done this way. Something else a little different for me is the size. Most people's heads are roughly 9.5" to 10". The overall size of the painting is 16" x 20", but Waycie's head is life-size and a half, roughly 13" tall! Most of my subjects heads are not much bigger then 3" to 4" tall. No room for error! Every detail must be there or I have failed.


 

Here is day two.

 

Here is the third day's work.

There are some great colors on his shirt and his bead work that should blow you away!

 

Here is day four. The entire day was used to just lay in the rough bead work. Still many beads and highlights on those beads to go!
Day five.
   
   
The Final