Hope Fletcher Portfolio
Oscar Howe is a famous Dakota Native artist. His students, inspired by his teachings, have continued his legacy by passing down their knowledge of art in a summer institute at the University Of South Dakota. This opportunity was given to me by my two Native American Education consolers, Waapishki Kiisis Ikwe (Mindy) and Tibiki Giizis Ookwe (Nicole), and I shared it with twenty other American Native students across the country.
During the institute, I was taught by students of Oscar Howe's students. I learned how to paint with gouache and was given the same lessons given to college art students and Disney animators. Because of this experience, I gained one of my signatures in art, paint splatters that I like to use to represent chaotic beauty.
Oscar Howe entered a painting into Philbrook's Annual National Indian Painting competition that was rejected because "It didn't look Indian enough." Howe defended his art in a letter to Philbrook: “Whoever said, that my paintings are not in the traditional Indian style, has poor knowledge of Indian art indeed. There is much more to Indian Art, than pretty, stylized pictures” This has inspired me not to limit myself to what others say about my art.
2023
During the institute, I was taught by students of Oscar Howe's students. I learned how to paint with gouache from Gerald Cournoyer and was given the same lessons given to college art students and Disney animators from Joe Williams. Because of this experience, I gained one of my signatures in art, paint splatters that I like to use to represent chaotic beauty. My peers and I were lucky enough to be there for the exhibition "Dakota Modern: The Art Of Oscar Howe." I am grateful for this opportunity and experience and will continue to make as much art as I can.
2024
I returned to OHSAI in 2024 hoping to gain more knowledge from successful Native American artists as instructors to guide me.
A form of art that inspired me, yet I never really thought about until then, is the art of murals. Reyna Hernandez and Amber Hansen guided us in designing a mural for the W. H. Over Museum. I realized that unlike other forms of art, murals focus on the stories of the people- not the ones who changed history, but the ones who change lives everyday: It's our story. I hope to work on more community pieces like this in the future.
Dwayne Wilcox, a Lakota artist famous for ledger art and humor, taught us a variety of ways to make art. He provided us with his signature ledger paper and showed us that this is a way modern Natives keep their traditional art alive- this is how we record history. Dwayne complimented my illustrative work, how I convey emotion, and encouraged me to continue to tell stories with my artwork. Thanks, Dwayne.
Someone who taught me relevant and inspirational art history is Michael Two Bulls. He explained how governments would commission artists to create murals to start movements. Why? Because artists are the ones who tell the stories that bring change. We, as artists, are revolution-starters and change-makers, and we are important. Michael led us through print designing and carving, but always pushed us to tell stories with our art.
During OHSAI 2024, I was able to finish a portfolio I had been working on about my name and created drafts for my next portfolio about life. This year has shown me that most of life happens inside, it's just that we can only see the outside. I've been inspired to tell stories, ones that bring change because that's the purpose God gave me. I want to show what happens on the inside, to show that no matter how dark and painful it seems, there is light, there is Hope. Thank you for a great year.
