Riley Charters 1990's

Riley Charters 1990's

West Coast Spirits

Oil on three panels
by Riley Charters 1998AD

Beaver Weaver

Oil on canvas

Riley Charters 1998 AD

Deer Symbols~Hunting Arrows

Collagraph print

by Riley Charters 1991AD

Power Spirit Song of the Owl
Lithographic Print
Riley Charters 1992 AD

Fighting With Destiny
by Riley Charters 1991AD

This about my grandfather at the age of being picked to be a medicine man. It was his first time to go out to a sacred place to fast for three days & nights. (moons in the left upper corner) waiting for his spirit to come to him. Even though it was winter time he couldn't bring anything with him except what he wore. In a hollow of a stump he waited, on the 3rd night, three coyotes started circle the stump. This was his spirit, but he panicked and ran away. The coyotes followed him, during the pursuit a concealed weapon was pulled out and with this weapon one of the coyotes was killed. Hence ending the quest for his special power, even so the would be medicine man cold still foresee event, and could be heard chanting in his sleep.

A Man, A Women and Two Fish

Oil on canvas
by Riley Charters 1991AD

Merritt Hoodoos

Oil on canvas

Riley Charters 1992 AD

Little Coyote

Linocut

by Riley Charters 1991AD

Ghost Rider Watches For Dawn

Handpull litho print

by Riley Charters 1991AD

(A story from my Dad)

In the morning if you find your horse's mane braided it means that a ghost has been riding it during the night. The braids are being used as reins for the ghost to hang onto. If you keep undoing the braids only to find them re-braided again the next morning & this continues for three days in a row, it is an omen that a close relative or friend will soon die.

Waiting

by Riley Charters 1996AD

They have fasted, done the cleansing thru sweatlodges and gone thru healing ceremonies now they are waiting for their turn to sing their own special song.

Laughing With You
handpulled lithograph print 8"x11"
Riley Charters 1991 AD
A homemade Papier Mache' Mask & an old striped blanket. Combine that with two children making up a play on a fall evening and you have my kids learning and growing together as always.

Sage Fashion Plate
oil on canvas
by Riley Charters 1998 AD

I specifically made this painting for the BC Festival of Arts. The theme that year had to do with fashion. As far as I could tell mine was the only one with the theme fashion.
The poncho & moccasins are woven from Sagebrush. This originated from the Interior Salish where sage is abundant but to have these garments made out of sagebrush was also telling everyone what a poor hunter you were (or what a poor hunting season it was)

Rock Painting
Vescosity etching 6"x9"
by Riley Charters 1991 AD

If you have ever hiked the Stein Valley trail your destination would have been the paintings on the rock face. One would make their own interpetations of the dream quests of those who had taken the spiritual journey many years ago. This print has my own made up symbols as I did not want to take a symbol used by anyone so as not to offend or disrespect the drawings in anyway.

Sun Dancer
collagraph print
by Riley Charters 1992AD

Untiled
Print collagraph chine colle' 9" x 12"
by Riley Charters 1991AD

Antlers

eching

by Riley Charters 1991 AD

Trading Blanket
Handpulled lithograph print
The art of spinning, dyeing and weaving wool blankets almost died out when the introduction of mass produced Hudson Bay Blankets made it to the trading markets between the First Nations and The Bay company. The ratio of furs per blanket is marked on each Hudson's Bay Blanket. This one indicates 3.5 pelts for this blanket. Fortunately the hand knotted & woven blankets are making a come back & are considered collectors items now.
by Riley Charters 1992AD

Trading Blanket
collagraph
by Riley Charters 1992 AD

Haircomb
handpulled lithograph
by Riley Charters 1992

This purely about the passage of time for a young women. The figures in the background are young ones enduring the rituals of being covered in branches on their heads plus being shrouded by a blanket. Note their eyes are even hidden as it forbidden to make eye contact at this time. The haircomb,.. the braids are slowly coming out showing the transition she is going through.

Treasures Holders

graphite on paper

by Riley Charters 1998 AD

St Ann's at Sunrise
Oil on canvas
by Riley Charters 1998 AD

St Ann's at Sunset

Oil on Canvas

by Riley Charters 1998 AD

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