Yellowman

In 1680, the sudden revolt by the Pueblo Indians in New Mexico resulted in the flight of Spanish colonialists back to Mexico and the abandonment of great numbers of Spanish horses, which were dispersed northward by trade or warfare among tribes throughout the Plains. Within 75 years, the horse transformed the Plains, creating the dramatic and colorful horse culture. Horses, or "big dogs," were ridden by only the boldest young men of the tribes. These men became providers and protectors in the Cheyenne societies. Within that society they were known as the Dog Soldiers.

These men dedicated their lives to provide for and to protect the people. They were also considered peacemakers and mediators who gave counsel in both family and tribal disputes. As it became evident that they must fight for their homeland, the Dog Soldiers became the warfare strategist rededicating their lives to protect the people. They dressed in a very flamboyant manner, for they had learned to puff themselves up like the birds and the animals, in hopes of frightening their enemies away. They wore long scarves, which they would tie to their waist, driving their lance through the end into the ground, thereby warning the enemy that they would fight to the death. For that reason they were known as fierce warriors, whose small number could hold off an entire brigade of U.S. Army, giving the women and children time to escape to safety.

Yellowman has captured the strength and protective spirit of the Dog Soldiers. He is masterful in his application of both watercolor on paper and acrylic on canvas. When he paints the faces of his people, they are as intriguing to him as an artist as they are to his collectors because of their reminder of fateful events from 100 years ago. "I paint this imagery as both a remembrance and healing process, and to hopefully give the Dog Soldiers the honor they deserve for a truly heroic effort on behalf of their people."

Yellowman paints watercolor and acrylic portraits of Native Americans and their traditional dwellings, with an emphasis on the delicate moments in the life of the Southwestern tribes and the strong defiant nature of the Plains peoples. He has exhibited his work at juried shows since 1977 and has won many awards.

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