Lakota Beadwork Artist Kevin Fast Horse: Inspirations

Rose and I recently took a trip to beadwork artist Kevin Fast Horse's home studio to hang out with him in his studio for a few hours, watch him work, have some coffee, and just talk and get to know the person behind the art.

We had an amazing time and ended up with TONS of great footage - we learned about his work, his flawless technique, and his inspirations, as well as his love of Italian beads - but, it was way too much for one tiny video, so we've decided to dedicate the month of October to sharing snippets of our visit with him.

Take #1: Inspirations & Influences

[Rose] Who do you attribute teaching you your technique?
[Kevin] My Dad and my Grandma Lizzy. I would always watch her bead, she would find time to bead. She was a really busy woman (the "Mother Hen" so to speak and would keep everyone in line).

She also taught me spirituality and what the designs represent and (they both) also taught me how to survive as human being - what to do and not do - how to skin a deer, cook an egg, make bread, how to wash clothes...

[Tracey] Where does the symbol of the Great Sioux Nation come from?
[Kevin] The heart. It symbolizes who we are and it'll always be that way. That's how we remember everybody. Everybody is one of these beads - that's from [immediate] family to [distant] relatives…everybody.

In our culture no one gets left behind. You might have to live out side of some of the circles at times, but you're still with us. The point is YOU'RE NOT LEFT BEHIND…and that's what these designs represent.

[Referring to the piece he's beading, Kevin explains] The elders are here [in the center] with warriors and mothers around them, then all the kids - everybody's in there. But the elders are the heart, they are the heart of our designs. The eye - they see and know everything, they teach us. You have to respect that.

Elder Artists...
One thing I've learned from elder artists, such as Don Montileaux is: Know How to Finish a Piece [pay attention to details]! It's good advice and something I think a lot of younger artists need to learn...