The Creative Zone


At this point in the creative process I find myself at a precipice: much art has been done; some remains (mostly color art).

I've had the fortune of working in a mostly safe environment where I can tap into that evasive "Creative Zone." In order to stay there and focus I'm taking a pause, not from working, but from posting!

The project is on track; Keep a sharp eye; we'll be back in the coming weeks with something spectacular.

In the meantime reserve Buttons & Beads simply by writing to us at

wynonah.lives@gmail.com

Express your interest or pose your question. We'll get back to you!


The Last Ones to Leave


In our last post we saw a happy village scene centered around Wynonah's home life in Shamokin, Pennsylvania (present day Sunbury).

Today's image shows its counterpoint. Wynonah, her mother, and Shshash are leaving their home in Shamokin (along with the rest of the family) and re-locating to the Kuskuskies in western Pennsylvania.

It is a rainy day. Wynonah's dog is somewhat confused as to where they are going. Every belonging that the family can carry is packed up on their backs. Shshash uses arm straps. Wynonah uses a tumpline.


Full width art will span two pages

This small band, to my mind, has a somewhat sentimental attachment to the little wigwam and village. As such they are the last ones to leave. This has been possibly my favorite picture to draw so far.


Lenape Village Scene: Shamokin


This has been one of my favorite drawings to do so far-- an American Indian village in the summer of 1749.

Specifically it is Shamokin, Pennsylvania, along the Susquehanna River (now Sunbury, and not to be confused with present-day Shamokin). Shamokin was a village of American Indians from various displaced tribes, including Lenape.

This image represents a high point in Wynonah's young life. She is newly married, and her husband Shshash has built them a wigwam near the longhouse where Wynonah's parents live. Wynonah's first child-- a daughter-- is swaddled on a cradle board and held by Wynonah's mother. A second child is on the way.

We see that Wynonah's mother has come over to help with the cooking and babysitting, and has paused in her task to get Wynonah from the garden to welcome Shshash, just returning from a successful fishing trip. Some fish are already drying on racks.

The full width artwork. Text will appear along the top

Wynonah's dog does not appear in the text but I have invented her for several of the pictures-- she greets Shshash with a happy wag. In my research I learned that the Lenape dogs, now extinct, could howl like wolves; also sometimes they are found buried alongside their masters. I came across a Lenape story, too, called something like "How the Dog Was Allowed to Come into the House."

Based on these facts I surmised that Wynonah might have a dog and that the relationship between human and canine would be a warm one.

BONUS: Preview this art together with the story text right here.

Anatomy of a Drawing: Fort Duquesne


Today's post is a little longer than usual-- this drawing took a week to do, and I thought I'd offer a more in-depth look at the process involved.

I've broken it into parts for easier reading: Part One (Inspiration), Part Two (Research), Part Three (Acting Out), Part Four (Putting It All Together).

Lots of good stuff here if you want a real "behind the scenes look." Forts, landscapes, costumes, acting! Read on!

Shingas the Terrible / Kittanning


Buttons & Beads is a story about friendship and shared goals, although it does also chronicle the troubling events leading up to the French and Indian War.