A:Magunma (Feather Dance Woman)

10x12/Acrylic on Canvas/2026
My newest work from Rainy Mountain Studio is an exploration of the flat style that defined much of the early Native painting tradition. Stripped of illusionistic depth and rendered with deliberate simplicity, the composition draws attention to symbolism, design.
In this painting, I wanted to focus on both symbolism and balance. The central figure wears a Ghost Dance dress and holds a fan, standing beneath the Morning Star and crescent moon. Buffalo skulls on either side help frame the composition and create a sense of symmetry, while the symbols on the dress repeat and echo the imagery above. I was interested in creating a piece that feels quiet and direct, allowing the shapes, colors, and traditional imagery to carry the narrative. By working in a flat style, I'm paying respect to an important Native artistic tradition while exploring it through my own perspective and hand.