Native American
Native American Heritage Series (1984- 1994)
From 1984 to1994, the artist lived in Mystic, CT and Westerly, RI, where she met Narragansett Nation, Rhode Island Tribal member Russell Spears, known as Chief Silent Deer. Intrigued by his distinctive features and dress, she asked Russell to pose for her in her studio. Over the many hours spent together, they discovered that they shared the same feeling for the spirituality of the natural world, and a real friendship developed. With Chief Silent Deer’s encouragement and help, Warfield began to attend many local Native American Pow-Wows, and Ceremonies involving members of the Narragansett, Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot Tribes. This inspired a series of paintings documenting actual individual members of the tribes, and their tribal traditions and ceremonies.
Spirit of America:Connecticut/Rhode Island Inter Tribal Pow-Wow Ceremony, c. 1990
MEDIA : OIL
SIZE : 19” X 60”
PRICE : $7,500
Each Summer in the Southwestern Connecticut and Rhode Island region, the three major local Tribes- the Mashantucket-Pequot (CT), Mohegan (CT) and Narragansett (RI) Tribes would gather, sometimes with other New England Tribes, over several weekends at InterTribal Pow-Wows to celebrate their traditions and cultural heritage with dancing, drumming, crafts and foods. Some tribal members worked all winter making costumes for these events. The artist attended many of these Pow-Wows admiring the ceremonies and traditions and colorful costumes, along with the music and dancing. This painting captures the spirit and spirituality of these events, and features actual portraits of many tribal members of the time, serving to document these for the future
TOPIC : The Hunter - Narragansett Chief Silent Deer,1990
MEDIA : OIL
SIZE : 46” X 46”
PRICE : $4,500
This striking oil painting depicts Narragansett Tribal Elder Russell Spears - Chief Silent Deer (1917-2009). Although a mason by trade, he also supported his family of twelve by hunting deer on tribal land. This painting shows him in the woods on the 1,800 acre Narragansett Reservation in Charlestown, RI, and pays homage to his hunting ability and the animals that provided his family with sustenance.
Ceremony to the Four Winds: Narragansett Tribal Medicine Men, Consecrating Crandall Farm Property, Westerly, RI, c. 1991
MEDIA : OIL
SIZE : 22” X 30”
PRICE : $4,500
Narragansett Tribal Members- Bride and Groom In Traditional Head Dress, c. 1991
MEDIA : OIL
SIZE : 10" x 8” EACH (Shown Framed Together:10 " X 17”
PRICE : $3,000
Portrait of Narragansett Chief Silent Deer, Russell Spears, 1990
MEDIA : OIL
SIZE : 24” X 18”
PRICE : Collection of the Spears Family
Shawl Dance
MEDIA : PASTEL
SIZE : 48" X 60"
PRICE : PRIVATE COLLECTION