Showing posts with label Art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Art. Show all posts

Monday, February 06, 2012

IPI: Indigenous Peeps in the Industry - 07


Greetings. In this edition of 'IPI' - my on-going blog series that celebrates Indigenous artists, writers, and other creative individuals working either in the comic book or video game industry (whew!) - I talk with Jacques La Grange.

Jacques introduction:
"Hello, my name is Jacques La Grange. I am the creator and artist of the comic book Shadow Wolf. I am currently on hiatus from the book, to tend to my ailing wife and be the best possible father to my 3 kids. Recently I was asked by Phoenix Comic Con if I would be interested in putting on a Panel for Native Americans in comics. Last year was a huge success, and though I'm on leave, I wanted to take this opportunity to promote other Native Americans in comics."
You can follow Shadow Wolf on its FaceBook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Shadow-Wolf/133417390021261

MS: Background info: what is your tribal affiliation and where are you from?

JLG: I am a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe from San Carlos, AZ, just outside of Globe, AZ. I was born in Santa Fe, NM and grew up in Espanola, NM (Lowrider Capital of the U.S.!) I also lived in Los Alamos, NM, you might have heard of this place: this is where U.S. government created the Atomic Bomb that we dropped on Japan in WWII. I moved a lot, I guess I was searching for something? I've lived in Albuquerque, NM; Phoenix, AZ; Riverside, CA; Ft Dueshene, UT; Jesup, IA. It wasn't until I ended up in San Carlos, AZ where I found myself.

MS: Did you have a lot of cultural interaction growing up? (Family gatherings, dances, ceremonies, etc.?)

Panel of Shadow Wolf #3
JLG: That is a tough one to answer...you see, I went to live with my Father when I was very young. I did not meet my mother until I was a Sophomore in High School. Up to that point it was with the only family I knew, my father and brother. I decided to move to San Carlos to get to know my mother and the other 500 family members on the rez. It just happened that my little sister was having her Sunrise Dance. My mother took it upon herself to educate me in our ways. She called it 'Apache Boot Camp', and it was!

There was a lot of work to set up camps for the ceremony. I can recall my mother telling me, "Do whatever the Medicine Man asks you." I got to tell you: from the singers and the Crown Dancers...I WAS HOOKED!! Later on I ended going to Sherman Indian High in Riverside, CA and it was there I was joined the Apache Club. I was able to sing and dance center field of Dodger Stadium on Native American Day. The Apache Club performed throughout Southern Cal and was one the best times of my life! It was during a performance that I meet a drum group called, "Bear Springs Singers." They invited me to learn how to sing Northern Style Pow Wow, which is something I truly miss!

MS: When did you first get into comics?

JLG: Growing up as a child I was very sick with Asthma and I would be hospitalized a lot. My father would bring me comic books. I can remember at age 4 or 5 when I was introduced to Superman in Action Comics. I learned a lot from Superman...about doing the right thing, standing up for what you believe in. I have been a fan of comics ever since!

MS: What is your favorite comic book of all time...something that turns FRI-SUN into a 'lost weekend'?

Shadow Wolf panel from issue #2
JLG: My favorite comic of all time would have to be Superman. But more recently I would have to say it is a tie, between Walking Dead and Scalped! I had the pleasure of meeting Robert Kirkman and had lunch with Jason Aaron.

MS: What is your specialty in the biz?

JLG: I’m not sure if I have a specialty, except for the fact that I'm actually Native American working on a Native American book. I would say that my strongest skill is penciling. I love to pencil...I get upset when I have to ink over my work!

MS: Did you get special training and/or education for this?

JLG: Actually no: I'm self taught. At first I had a script for Shadow Wolf. I tried getting someone to draw the book for me. No one would or if I did find someone they would flake out on me. After 3 years of sitting on the script, I made a decision if this book was going to come out. I would need to learn how to draw. Literally, I started with stick figures. I bought How to Draw the Marvel Way.

I was fortunate that Atomic Comics had a drawing club called the Nuclear Artist Society. A lot of the people that have their own books now were also part of the drawing club. It was really nice to be able to get critiqued every week. I learned a lot from a bunch of amazing artists. It took 4 years of constantly drawing and refining and then drawing some more! Seven years after I wrote the script. I drew Shadow Wolf and it made its debut at Phoenix Comic Con.

MS: What other comics/projects have you worked on?

JLG: Prior to doing the Shadow Wolf comic, I was really into making Native American Films. The films were tribal specific, which brought awareness to community issues such as throwing away your grease after making frybread. I kid you not! HUD on Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community asked if I could make them a film on this issue. It was a great experience.
We had asked the Fire Department if they could blow up a house for us. They did not agree to that. So we asked HUD to build a set for us and the Fire Department blew that up instead. It was a great experience because I was teaching a film making class for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale in Salt River. So the community kids really got involved and we won the Amerid National Video Contest. Based on some of those films I was asked to go to New York to see if I would be interested in a Native American film, but the budget was cut and that film was never made.

MS: Do any comic books with Native American characters in them?

JLG: My character Shadow Wolf is Native American. Doesn't have any specific tribal affiliation, but at one point I wanted him to be Jicarilla Apache.

MS: Do you have an opinion about Indigenous characters in comics, video games, and/or pop culture?

Shadow Wolf panel from issue #2
JLG: I believe that Native Americans need to be the ones to tell their own story. Look, I’m not trying to say that the films that John Woo (Windtalkers) or Rich Schroeder (Black Cloud) made are bad. I’m for anyone trying to do something good! Plus I’m a huge John Woo fan and Rick Schroeder reviewed one of my films and gave me some real good advice.

Grant Morrison who writes for DC traveled through Arizona and fell in love with Native Culture. In fact, he loved it so much he wrote Super Chief. Grant stopped writing Super Chief because he felt that he was doing an injustice to Native Americans, due to the fact that he himself is not Native American.

I would say that I'm really happy that Native American stories are great to see in games, books, and movies, but I honestly think its time for us to tell our own stories! I really dig the way Natives are portrayed in the Twilight films. Aside from the fact that it's Twilight, the Wolf Pack kicks major butt! They are warriors, protecting their people. Trying to do the right thing and definitely not being sidekicks. I honestly believe that they are positive representation of Native People.

MS: Do you know of any other Natives in the "biz" (comics/gaming industry)?

JLG: When I first came out with the Shadow Wolf, I found out about Tribal Force and it looked AWESOME! I found Jon Proudstar on MySpace and began talking to him about my book. He told me to reach to Ryan Huna the artist of Tribal Force because he owns the rights to the character GAN. I also know Arigon Starr who created Super Indian. My wife's cousin is Kiowa Gordon, who is part of the Wolf Pack in the Twilight films. Along with his mother Camille Nighthorse who just starred in More Than Frybread.

MS: Any words of wisdom for others (Native or non) looking to do what you do?

JLG: Yes I do, especially to our younger generation. Becoming educated doesn't mean you are losing who you are as Native person, or the death of our culture. You can be both Traditional and Educated. Being both means that there are more opportunities to help keep our culture alive. I'll put it this way: way back in the day before we had guns, we used a bow and arrow. Then the soldiers came with rifles and saw how effective those were. We picked them up and began to use them...because they helped us. You should see technology in the same way. Yes it is not traditional, but neither was that rifle and we made it ours. The same with Technology...we need to make that ours! Don't be shy to talk to people about who you are and what you want to do. They only way we are going to change how Native Peoples are perceived, begin with us engaging others.

Monday, July 13, 2009

aNm 3D Art at Arts Festival Oklahoma 2009 !

Exciting news for aNm: we will be at the Arts Festival Oklahoma 2009 at OCCC in OKC. Check out the acceptance/invitation letter.
Category: Graphics

Michael Sheyahshe:

CONGRATULATIONS!

The Arts Festival Oklahoma 2009 jury has been completed. There were more applications received than available booth spaces. Arts Festival Oklahoma is pleased to inform you that your application has been ACCEPTED and you are INVITED to exhibit in the Arts Festival Oklahoma 2009. The 31st annual Festival will be held on the campus of Oklahoma City Community College at 74th and South May Avenue.
We are very excited, as aNm will showcase art from our "Organic Noise" series (see slide show below, to see some of the art pieces we will have on-hand at the Arts Festival Oklahoma). Come check out our booth, meet / greet us, and see our exciting new 3D art.


Friday, June 05, 2009

Art Sold at Red Cloud

I am pleased to announce that my art, "Bottle Cap Blues" (thumbnail version seen here, at left) has been sold at the Red Cloud Art Show. The Museum & Heritage Center at Red Cloud Indian School has been gracious enough to allow my artwork in its annual art show. This piece is part of the Organic Noise series, which can be seen here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sheyahshe/tags/noise/show/

Beginning May 31, 2009, the exhibit, will feature "Native American and Lakota art from across the United States and Canada," and will run through August 9.

The 42nd Annual Red Cloud Indian Art Show is a great opportunity and I encourage anyone in the area (Pine Ridge, South Dakota) to attend and see all the great work from artists everywhere. You may even see work by friend, America Meredith, at the show, as well. (Thanks, Meredith, for encouraging me to apply to this show !)

Purchased by the Heritage Center, "Bottle Cap Blues" will now become a part of the Museum's permanent collection. Much thanks to everyone involved in the show and all the artists represented.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Update - CNMCC

aNm is pleased to announce that installation of the first set of panels at the Comanche Nation Museum and Cultural Center went off without a hitch (unless you count the ones we used to hitch the panels up on the wall !). Here are some initial images of the panels, taken just before supporting material was added:

Much thanks to Billy Skaggs for his much-needed assistance in delivering and installation, without whose help, none of this would've been possible. aNm will return to install remaining museum panels later this summer. Be sure to visit CNMCC and check out the panels and other exhibits and keep your eyes peeled for more

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Late Entry to SF Art Show

Thanks to artist friend, America Merideth, and show Curator, Wendee Key, some of artwork was again showcased at the 14th Annual Bay Area Anarchist Book Fair, March 14th and 15th, 2009, SF County Fair Building, Golden Gate Park.

Here are some details about myself and the other artists that contributed to the art show:
http://sfbookfair.wordpress.com/art-show/

You can also see a slideshow of the images I submitted to this show here:
All this, despite a (horrendously) late entry, on my behalf...

...and America spending time printing out my images...

...as well as her FedEx-ing them to the show for me.

Wow. Ouch.

To America and Wendee: much thanks and please accept my continued apologies and thanks for letting me be a part of this show again.

See http://sfbookfair.wordpress.com/ for more details about the event. Be sure to check out the "A Bit of History" link, as it's immensely interesting.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

New Artist Listing at AICCM

The American Indian Cultural Center & Museum (AICCM) has listed me among many other Native American Oklahoman Artists on their website.
http://www.aiccm.com/Default.aspx?p=10578
AICCM is charged with "the purpose of generating awareness and understanding of the history of tribes and their relationship to Oklahoma today." To support this, AICCM recently held a workshop, "Art in Public Places Workshop for Native American Artists," to guide artists through the Art in Public Places process.
It is a genuine pleasure and true honor to see my name listed beside my Cheyenne and Arapaho ("C&A") Uncles, Charles Pratt and Harvey Pratt, both of whom are renown artists in their own right. The list also includes some friends I've made along the way, such as America Meredith, a Native Artist who also some Caddo connections.
That being said, check out my Art Gallery - which hightlights my traditional (sketches and sculptures) and digital work - if you have some time. Please keep aNm in mind for all your creative and artistic needs and contact us today.

Monday, June 09, 2008

aNm Shows Art at SoonerCon 08


aNm is proud to showcase some 3D art at SoonerCon 2008, "a fan run multi-genre convention held annually in Oklahoma City."

The event also included a exhibit room where vendors set up various booths and tables. aNm was also proud to support this event by sponsoring the SoonerCon program book.

Thursday, April 03, 2008

new Client - Skky Bar UltraLounge (OKC)

 

aNm has recently completed work on a special poster/flyer design for Skky Bar UltraLoung in Bricktown, OKC. This poster advertises a private screening of the movie, Prom Night (from Sony Entertainment and Screen Gems) at Skky Bar.
You can see this and other events at Skky Bar's myspace page:
http://www.myspace.com/skkybarokc

Thursday, March 20, 2008

My Artwork Showcased at SF Art Show


My artwork will again be showcased at the "Anti Anti Anti Anti" art show - "A group art show expressing anarchy, community, self-reliance, resistance, and freedom" held in SF, CA.

WHERE: The Bay Area Anarchist Book Fair Art Show, Hall of Flowers, Golden Gate Park at 9th Avenue and Lincoln, San Francisco, CA
WHEN: March 22-23, 2008 • Saturday 10am - 6pm • Sunday 11am - 5pm

Click HERE for more info about the art show.

America Meredith, another artist at the art show (who also organizes the event), has been good enough to mount three of my 3D sculptures together in a triptych for this year's show. Much thanks to her...and if you are out that way, be sure to stop by the art show.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Project Completion: Caddo Nation Website

aNm Project Showcase

alterNative Media recently completed work on the Offical Website of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma. aNm was contracted to design and implement a new website that would best represent the Caddo Nation headquarters.

Specifically, aNm provided the following services:
  • Initial consultation meeting to evaluate specific needs.
  • Creation of custom Flash animated movie on introduction webpage.
  • Design of custom opening, stylistic webpage for introduction.
  • Authoring of custom Cascading Style Sheet (“CSS”), containing all visual formats for entire website.
  • Established hierarchy and format for file organization.
  • Construction of new website menu.
  • Resized multiple photographs / images for optimized web viewing.
  • Continued support and training to Caddo Nation staff of CSS / HTML authoring and image manipulation.
  • Utilized separate website for testing and revision of code and style.
  • Authored and implemented website to live server (50+ individual web pages).
  • Established formatting procedure for staff's continued maintenance.
aNm offers this type of design service, as well as many other artistic and technical specialities. Check out the aNm webpage for a more complete list of our successful partnerships and find out how we can help you achieve your goals.

Friday, July 06, 2007

Check out Mike Kennedy's FB Page!

 

Comic Artist at SC

The recent SoonerCon '07 experience was really great. There were a lot of vendors, artists, fans, and everything in between. (We could've used more singers at the karaoke bar, but more songs for me!)

Mike Kennedy was one of the featured artists at SoonerCon and we were able to participate in a few panel discussions here and there.

In addition to being a really great guy as well as a vast information source about comic books and their creation, Mike is working on his newest project, Rough Cut, a "indie" comic book series.

Check out Mike's illustrative work at his Facebook page, read his blog, and maybe leave some comments. Good stuff.
https://www.facebook.com/mike.kennedy.3597

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Native Artist Effects Change in Online Artist Representation

Art and Culture

It is refreshing to see a Native American artists taking progressive steps with today's technology. It is true: do any search on "Native Art" and there are many websites that pop up...only some of which are actual Indigenous artists.

Perhaps it is time that Oklahoma Native Artists come together - digitally speaking, of course - to form an online clearing house for Internet users to view art and be assured that it is truly "Native" (and completely free of the "made in {insert Asian country here}" stickers that are sometimes seen on "Native American" art).
IR // News // Artist seeks to redefine genre

Monday, October 09, 2006

The Norman Transcript - Recent OU grad seeks to shatter stereotypes about Native American art

In The News

It's nice to get a little good press these days. This piece appeared in Pop magazine over the past weekend.
The Norman Transcript - Recent OU grad seeks to shatter stereotypes about Native American art