Girl With the Abalone Shell Earrings

'Girl With the Abalone Earrings' . 14 x 11 . oil on linen panel
© 2017 kay eneim
private collection

This North American Indian girl was of the Tsawatenok tribe of the Pacific Northwest, circa 1914.
Her earrings, made from abalone shells, were something only the nobility of her tribe could wear.

I found her to be stunningly beautiful. I loved painting her.

Kutenai Gatherer of the Reeds

Kutenai Gatherer of the Reeds . 36" x 48" . oil on canvas
© 2017 kay eneim
available

Thankfully, the Kutenai tribal life was documented by Edward S. Curtis at the turn of the twentieth century.  Curtis titled his photograph of this scene... 'Kutenai Duck Hunter'.

To me, she didn't appear to be hunting ducks... not at all.
She was clearly gathering reeds for her basket weaving... an art perfected by her tribe.

The title of my painting reflects just that setting... her gathering of reeds for her beautiful baskets... in the serene and beautiful morning!