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This is the first piece in a series of artwork that is still ongoing (which I am working on over an uncertain length of time). Featuring anthropomorphic characterizations of North American wildlife and influenced by Native American Indian craft and culture, I hope to compile a ortfolio (at the moment tentatively titled Native Spiritsthat will eventually go on sale. I remember mentioning a long while back now, in a different corner of the web, that this portfolio aims to go by a spiritual, folklore and matters of the heart kind of theme. The art direction is something different to what I usually do, and this is actually quite a leap for me. I dont usually concern myself over consistency in style, yet a portfolio of work should really have a familiar feel throughout. Ive also paid painful attention to the element of realism here the characters are not my usual animal head on human body result, and Ive reviewed the anatomy so as to give the impression of evolved beings (with opposable thumbs!) Ive come to the conclusion that Im either a nerd, or Ive been reading too much into Darwins theories. Btw, I have always had an avid interest in Native American history, culture, craft and so on (sometimes maybe too much; I stink the house out with sage and my coyote-faced dream catcher somewhat freaks people out with its eerie stareand I hope that these works will reflect this interest and be enjoyed by others. Im a big history buff by nature. Back to the actual art (blah, blah), a coyote performs a sacred smudging ceremony with bound sage bundle and feather fan. Im a sucker for feathers. The picture perhaps came out a little too red/orange, but Im not complaining too much honest!(Artwork © Leona Preston 2005)