“Fly Like an Eagle” by Padilla of San Felipe © 2010  65”x 84”

 From uncertain feelings and personal circumstances in 2009, an image was birthed from these words, “Becoming One”. A quest towards spiritual healing and emotional freedom guided my thoughts to decide that the eagle epitomized my longing to fly and soar above negativity.

The eagle symbolizes so much for Native American cultures, representing the highest form of honor and blessings. Through this artwork I seek to pay homage and respect to the Heavenly Creator for those blessings we receive daily from His hand…and I want to fly.

This original is an ongoing project, awaiting the stained glass features and a free standing display framework that will increase the dimensions to 6’x 8’.

Created as a mixed media artform utilizing: canvas, Masonite, Plexiglas, Pendleton fabric, bone, leather, glass beads, clay, acrylic, wire, and stained glass.

Price: $15,000

If you are interested in purchasing this piece, please contact us directly so that we can arrange appropriate delivery of the piece due to its large size.

“Playful Afternoon” by Padilla of San Felipe © 2010, collage 12”x 20” matted

 Pronghorns have always been a favorite creature of mine, small in stature but gifted majestically as grace in motion. I’ve watched these dainty creatures play all by themselves but the fun and games really start when a winged friend shows up.

 A collage of reproduction cut outs mounted on metallic matboard, with stenciled and splattered background colors, some sagebrush added and sealed with decoupage.

 Price: $275 matted, unframed

“Three Brothers Dancing” by Padilla of San Felipe © 2010, collage 31½” x 22½” image size.

Every once in awhile I create a piece in honor and out of longing for my two younger brothers who now exist in the spiritual realm of our Heavenly Creator. Adam, the youngest always followed Joe and they played so well as brothers, I miss seeing that but the images remain strong in my heart. They always went places together, how fitting that they are still doing that. Both unique and extremely gifted individuals who had the ability to bring smiles to peoples faces with their humor and presence. And I want to dance with them so much, because my love for them draws me to that…and so right now, I satisfy myself by dancing with them on this piece.

Collaged reproduction cutouts with stenciled images and splattered background glazed in various colors, collaged border design is reproduction cutout. Acrylic, ink, decoupage.

 Price:Unframed $900

“New Red Shoes” by Padilla of San Felipe © 2010, Mixed media collage 26” x 38” framed

After receiving a gift of new moccasins from her grandfather, she is so happy she shares her joy with the hummingbird, and they begin to dance. From our Heavenly Father (the red hand) comes blessings into our lives, accordingly, from our lives (the purple hand) blessings should be shared with others…and the dance continues.

Created as a mixed media for Red Earth, this original incorporates: matboards, Masonite, monotype printing, Pendleton fabric, clay, glass beads, shells, silver buttons, copper foil, glass tile, fabrics, acrylics, wire, and art foam.

 Price: $3000

Pastel on paper. Image Size 24×36. Matted and Framed for $950.00  – insured shipping $24.

“Of Earth and Sky”

Acrylic on panel (36”x40”)

We are fascinated by the mystique kivas arouse in us. This particular Kiva mural of “Parrot Woman” from Pottery Mounds has been reproduced and re-done numerous times over the centuries but the mysterious beauty that surrounds her never wears out. We may never know the truth behind why she is showing us these things but if we knew, would it change us? In any case she is a significant spiritual figure, enduring the test of time to bring us her story that we are a part of a larger family of cultures.

Sometimes it takes looking to see what someone doesn’t communicate to us about their life, which in essence becomes the story they are telling us about ourselves. That’s what Kiva murals should do for us, open the portals of time to simply reflect people living life, with all its unknowns, and telling us what it means to them. We see they too, seek the Divine presence to guide them. That spiritual Divine presence always brings us to others that we may share humankinds’ story of diverse oneness collectively.

We see the power of the Divine Spirit moving around us in the world, but like the winds, we may not be able to see where it comes from or where it is going. We also have changed the world around us, and in our pursuit of dominion over creation, we forget that the essence of the Divine is still here.
Kivas can bring us back to earth so that we may reach for the heavens, they remind us to “not forget” our stories, to “not forget” our communities of family, and to “not forget” we will never be the only ones here.

Written by Fernando Padilla, Jr.; Padilla of San Felipe © 2008.

Framed in a black metal frame for hanging.  Retail price is $3000

SOLD

“What the Heck?!” is an original prismacolor on paper.  Image size is 8 1/2 x 11.

This image is now also available as a print.

“Becoming One”

Who am I? This mesmerizing image represents that same haunting question I have asked myself before…who am I and what am I to do now? Is hope a fleeting memory, can I trust in anything or anyone anymore, where’s my Creator? This person could be me, could be you, wanting so much to touch the heavens to feel personal worth, to be valued as a messenger and recipient of love and peace, to be unchained from recurring fears and doubts that constantly kick our legs out from under us when we are already down.

We often say what we believe in, with all our heart. But if it’s all talk and doesn’t really mean a thing, we can’t live it out in our lives as good as we say we will. I’d say those words are as flimsy as trying to construct an adobe house with wet cardboard boxes.

To believe strongly in the power, grace, and dignity of an eagle as that channel of communication between heaven and earth is quite easy to do for most of us. To imagine that we can become the same kind of channel for the divine means that we lay aside human intelligence and invention to step outside our perceived physical reality; and not as easy. It means stepping forward beyond complacency, to bravely go beyond the comfort of mediocrity. It may mean to quit looking for the answers to drop into your lap, to dive into the essence of the Creator’s higher power. Then what begins to happen is something we cannot take credit for and yet without us it cannot be initiated. We truly sense we are not alone. Feeling the warmth of hope emanating from your heart, from your gut, washes away self-absorption so that the healing forces may cleanse us wholly. When the beginning of those changes we said we needed so badly begin taking place, the quiet audible voice within us says it’s time to try out our wings. Our heart beats like the drum in the circle, stronger and louder. We stand precariously on the mesa’s edge feeling one with the earth yet wanting to be free of it, so we close our eyes and leap.

Through this “epiphany moment” the process of transformation begins breaking free of “the same old same old”. Being the same is definitely out of the question, reacting to others the same old way cannot exist, and life changes become deliberate conscious decisions. Challenges with more discoveries wait around every corner, defeats and victories will be encountered but these are the things that make for conversions. Those changes we always sought never take place on their own. “Becoming one” is a higher ideal that can seem out of reach for the unmotivated and unwilling, but once desired, then purpose with self-worth makes itself at home in your thoughts. Inner beauty once trampled on rises like an eagle above criticism and deprecating naysayers. Life smoothes out the rough edges and polishes the appearance that attracts others to the beauty of the one who is…Becoming One.

“Becoming One” is an original prismacolor on paper.  Image size is 9×12.

Framed and matted to 16×20.

Retail $750.00

Elk Walks Both Worlds

“Elk Walks Both Worlds“, original acrylic on canvas.

“Elk Walks Both Worlds” is now available as an open edition print.

The day of the dance started early in the morning, with mass services at the Catholic Church in the village, and then the dancers of various clans make their way to their respective kivas for their final preparations. And by ten o’clock the first procession begins with the shrine of the patron saint being carried from the church through the village to the arbor in the plaza prepared for it.

Its then that the drummers and singers begin their procession to the plaza, followed by the sounds of gourd and turtle rattles, shells on bandoliers strapped across the shoulders, brass bells fastened on the waists, silver & turquoise with shell necklaces, and pine branches swishing in the hands of men, women, and children as they silently and in single file walk to the plaza. Even while they are still walking they hear the drum beat rhythmically louder and the baritone sounds singing from the chorus that they begin dancing in time and synchronizing their movements as one. In our present day world there may be at least hundreds of dancers bringing to life the way of the Pueblo, it can be a “hair rising on the back of the neck” experience for many that have been fortunate enough to be in attendance today.

Without understanding every word to the songs you can sense that these songs are filled with pure thanksgiving and joy for the good life of being a Pueblo. Feet are beyond worn and tired, sashes, mantas and other regalia may have loosened up and are hanging on by leather threads. Faces are shiny with sweat, legs are dusted with earth and hearts are happy that this turned out to be a good day for feasting, for seeing family, friends and guests. Relief from the clouds that brought a cool breeze and shade for the afternoon dances was welcomed by all. The clouds also are evidence that Creator Father was pleased with the outcome of the dances, for the offerings of praise, and the satisfaction of community well-being. As the clans make their final way to their kivas, a Koshare spots Creator Father looking from behind the clouds and he points and says “Because of you our Father we have all things good that we need, and this has been a good one.”

Written by Fernando Padilla, Jr. © 2000 Padilla of San Felipe.

A Good One is available as an open edition print, framed to 8×10 inches for $60 or 11×14 for $95.

Framed Sizes and Prices

8×10 $60.00 11×14 $95.00