Miami Tribe Powwow

I had a great time at the outdoor art show at the Miami Tribe Powwow in Miami, Oklahoma this weekend.  And for those of you who are not from Oklahoma...it is not pronounced like the city in Florida.  Here both the city and the tribe, Miami, is pronounced: my-yam-muh.

 I meant to take pictures but was very busy most of the time and I only managed to get the one above.  I sold this turtle drawing to a happy customer!  

I met folks from several tribes, states, and countries who came to Miami just for this event!  Everyone seemed so happy and it lifted my spirits that were a little low at the beginning of the event!!!

I'm thrilled to report that the children I met at the show were amazing.  They were well-behaved, appreciative of the art, slow to touch, and delightful conversationalists. 

Tabby, who had the sweetest spirit, and Cheyenne, the Miami princess, helped me unload my art from the car. Later Tabby braided my hair and shared some family history...Did you know that in the Miami tribe there are no cousins?  They consider each other sisters.

David was the grandson of one of the vendors,   Sorry to say that I did not make it over to her booth to tell her what a wonderful impression he made.  He was about 13 and shows promise for becoming an artist some day.   This handsome boy was kind, considerate, and smart! He even offered to find supplies for me along the riverbank! 

  One particular six year old,  Joslyn, watched me beading the wire end of my Fancy Feathers.  She was very patient and quiet...and then softly said, "I would like to make one of those."  There was such tenderness in that little voice.  I let her bead one of my paper feather creations, and her great grandmother decided to buy it for her.  It was not my intention to make a sale by showing the child how to place beads on a wire, but that act brought the sale of two more older children in the family who wanted to bead their own paper Fancy Feathers....all sweet beautiful kids.  

And I am not sure, but I think the lady who came up and bought 5 Fancy Feathers from my table was also a relative.  It pays to be nice to children!  

But be nice to them because they are our future, not for a sale!

Birdhouse Follow-Up

Remember the Steampunk Birdhouse that I made to donate to Habitat for Humanity's Silent Auction?  Just as a reminder, here is my donation:

Time Flies Steampunk by Linda Ann Smitth

The auction was a very successful fundraiser.  I want to share the variety that artists submitted for this worthy cause.  So take a look!

Crocheted Birdhouse by Tonya Smith

Handmade Clay by Misty Hendrix

Longbranch Saloon by Jerry Carlson

Swirls by Tana Washington

Spread Your Wings with Copper Roof by Tonya Smith

Flower Power with button roof by JoAnn DeShong

Climbing Flowers by Paula Hefley

S E Eagle by Kim Foster

Copper Flowers by Josh Bell

Whimsical Cats by JoAnn DeShong

Woodland by Jeff Polaseh

OU by Mary Horsechief

Trailing Flowers by E J Berry

Sequoyah by Mary Horsechief

Wood Nips by Jerry Carlson

Flowery Night Light by Virginia Stroud

Greedy Birds by Cat Lamb

I did not capture the name of this artist but it is a beautiful woodburned  Native American style birdhouse with a hummingbird on front.

Mayfest and Art Car Weekend in Tulsa Oklahoma

Art Car Weekend is always planned for the same weekend as the annual Tulsa, Oklahoma May celebration called "Mayfest."  The Art are hosted by Living Arts of Tulsa livingarts.org in the Blue Dome district about two blocks from all the Mayfest activities.  The Blue Dome district also hosts many art and food vendors and entertainment in addition to those at Mayfest.  It is a joyful time for families and artists.

The old Blue Dome was...you probably won't guess..a service station!

 Built in 1924 and served as the White Star Gulf Oil Station. It was the first station in 

Oklahoma to have hot water, pressurized air and a car wash. It was also open 24 hours, 

seven days a week. The station attendant lived upstairs in the dome itself. It is now the icon

 for a downtown Tulsa neighborhood. It is part of the city's arts district now and we LOVE it.

  Here is a vintage photo:

Here is a modern day photo:

This Hippie  Van also serves as a vendor and sells very economically priced lovely tie dyed items right out of the van.

Check out Kelly's online store...      http://www.tiedyekelly.com/

This peculiar car is covered with false teeth, dental instruments, and dental advertisements...
This year, I found my dentist sitting in it having her photo made.  LOL

This car belongs to a lady who calls herself "The Cow Goddess", or C G for short.  She has another car that is completely covered with legos with a cow theme.

This little yellow bug might lift those wings and fly away!

As you might guess, this one was very popular with the kiddos!

                                           Ever taken a ride in a telephone?











 R-2 D-2's cousin????

That would made a HUGE Bananna Split!

This one migh fly also.

Lots of entertainment going on on the side of this van.

This one is painted with chalkboard paint....design and erase.

Cars come here from all over, but this van is a Tulsa car.  

It has backlights behind the buildings.  

Optical Illusion?

This car is embellished with cigarette buts and filters.  It has a cancer prevention theme.

And some art cars are not cars at all.  They can be bikes, scooters, and motorcycles.

Living Arts of Tulsa also holds annual workshop for kiddies to make their own "cars" from cardboard boxes.  Then they have a parade and prizes in the Blue Dome area.