The <strong>Alberta</strong> Foundation for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Art</strong>s Travell<strong>in</strong>g Exhibition ProgramThunderbirdsNature has always been a part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> life <strong>of</strong> Native Americans and so, <strong>in</strong> Native storiesand artistic expressions, Native artisans have used symbols to represent animals todecorate pots, create pictographs (draw<strong>in</strong>gs) or petroglyphs (etch<strong>in</strong>gs on rock). Thisproject is based on a pa<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> a fantasy bird found on bluffs above <strong>the</strong> MississippiRiver near Alton, Ill<strong>in</strong>ois. (This project is adapted from A Survival Kit for <strong>the</strong> Elementary/Middle School <strong>Art</strong> Teacher by Helen D. Hume)Preparation: Discuss <strong>the</strong> fact that <strong>the</strong> designs that outsiders see on Native American artwork aspurely decorative are mean<strong>in</strong>gful symbols to Native American artists and viewers. Some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>sewould be mounta<strong>in</strong>s, warriors, sun, ra<strong>in</strong>, serpents and fea<strong>the</strong>rs. Talk about mythical or ext<strong>in</strong>ctbirds such as <strong>the</strong> Thunderbird, as well as exist<strong>in</strong>g birds such as <strong>the</strong> Eagle or Parrot. Designsused on Native American pottery can be used as <strong>in</strong>spiration for designs.Vocabulary:patternanalogous/complementary coloursrepetitionabstractstylizationMaterials:12 X 18 <strong>in</strong>ch draw<strong>in</strong>g paperpencilmarkers (or coloured pencils)L<strong>in</strong>e draw<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong>piasa bird figuresDirections: On a bluff overlook<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> Mississippi River near Alton, Ill<strong>in</strong>ois, <strong>the</strong>re was formany years a Native American pa<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> a mythical bird, <strong>the</strong> Piasa (pronounced “pie-a-saw”).Although <strong>the</strong> orig<strong>in</strong>al pa<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g has disappeared, a reproduction is currently seen <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> sameplace. Elsewhere one sees draw<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>of</strong> Thunderbirds, that were also mythical birds <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>Native American culture. What do you th<strong>in</strong>k would be <strong>the</strong> characteristics <strong>of</strong> a powerful mythicalbird? S<strong>in</strong>ce no one has seen one, it might have a very long tail, be brightly coloured, and havepowerful claws.1. Make thumbnail sketches <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> outl<strong>in</strong>es <strong>of</strong> birds on your paper. These outl<strong>in</strong>es can representreal or imag<strong>in</strong>ary birds. When you have selected a design, draw a large outl<strong>in</strong>e on <strong>the</strong> piece <strong>of</strong>draw<strong>in</strong>g paper. Use straight or curved l<strong>in</strong>es to make divisions with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> body <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bird (w<strong>in</strong>gs,a l<strong>in</strong>e at <strong>the</strong> neck or legs). These l<strong>in</strong>es will be helpful when you are mak<strong>in</strong>g designs with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>body <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bird.2. Draw designs with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> body <strong>in</strong> pencil before colour<strong>in</strong>g with <strong>the</strong> crayons or markers. Use onlya few colours and repeat <strong>the</strong>m to create a pattern. Colours typically used <strong>in</strong> Native designs aretones <strong>of</strong> dark red, reddish brown, black, turquoise, and yellow.AFA Travell<strong>in</strong>g Exhibition Program, Edmonton, AB Ph: 780.428.3830 Fax: 780.421.0479youraga.ca
The <strong>Alberta</strong> Foundation for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Art</strong>s Travell<strong>in</strong>g Exhibition ProgramThunderbirds cont<strong>in</strong>uedAFA Travell<strong>in</strong>g Exhibition Program, Edmonton, AB Ph: 780.428.3830 Fax: 780.421.0479youraga.ca
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