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Native American Lumbee Gourd Mask by D. R. Nance

Currency:USD Category:American Indian Art Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:250.00 - 450.00 USD
Native American Lumbee Gourd Mask by D. R. Nance
Native American Lumbee Gourd Mask by D. R. Nance, measures 29'' x 25'' x 5'' and is signed, embellished with feathers and copper leaf accents, ''D. R. Nance is a Native American (Lumbee) artist who has earned his fame making masks. He paints dried gourds and attaches a colorful array of natural feathers to match. D.R. Nance, of Lumbee Indian decent, grew up in the ''Piney Woods'' of East Texas, riding horses and being a cowboy. His desire to work with natural elements began early in his life. His Shawnee grandmother encouraged his youthful artistic inclinations, but as he matured and experienced the demands of raising a family, he put his art aside and worked in the oil fields of Texas. After 20 years of working, he once again followed his heart and returned to his passion of makings things with his hands. In 1993, D.R. went to a gourd farm, and he immediately began working with them. Gradually, he developed his unique style, which reflects his influence of the ancient Native American artists of New Mexico, Arizona and Mexico. D.R., now an accomplished artist, creates powerful art as each uniquely shaped gourd speaks to him, inspiring him to burn designs and images into the outer skin and then to apply dye, paint, feathers, turquoise and metal inlay, native beads, antlers and leather. What is created is an image that speaks beyond itself, bringing the magic of art as a transformational media to the enhanced piece. Diverse in his offering, D.R. makes feathered masks, purses, spirit dolls and medicine bowls. Each unique piece brings the power of the spiritual world and elements of nature to offer rare gifts of beauty and power.''