This article is about completing a circle. When I wrote it over a week ago, I didn't realize who all would be included within it. Just this week our Art Appreciation editor, Camille Gizzarelle did an article on Dale Chihuly. His PBS show was what brought me into the Circle.

Glass and blanket artistry, what an odd combination! Here's the link to Pendleton's Legendary Series to see their woven works of art.

Pendleton Woolen Mills - The Legendary Blankets

Be prepared, you're going to want one! Every proud Pendleton owner I've met seems to have an interesting story about their blanket. If you have one, please share its story with us.

The Native artists who have worked with this company are amazing. Painters, weavers, musicians, and I'm gathering links so we can "meet" them here.

Ramona Sakiestewa is the artist designer for Pendleton's Southwest Trail series. Reading her resume, all you can say is WOW! She is a self-taught weaver with works in the Smithsonian. Consistently published since the 1980's, she has also served with more Boards and Associations than can be listed here. This includes as director of the Southwestern Association on Indian Affairs (SWAIA).

She has traveled, studied, taught, and lived all over the World! Here's the link to her website. It includes a Gallery with a few photos of her artistry. I love the metal doors with the sun motifs!

Ramona Sakiestewa

Joseph Chamberlain provided the design for Pendleton's 2011 Legendary blanket. Here's a slideshow of his artwork on YouTube. Turn on the speakers, John Two-Hawks is playing the flute!

Joseph Chamberlain - Yankton Sioux Arts

One of these jumped out as a favorite for me. Which one speaks to you?

I love Joe Chamberlain's art. His "Journey To Relations" is on my wish list.

Jesse W. Henderson designed the blanket entitled Sacred Dance, and it's one of my favorites. Every element, including the colors selected are symbolic of the Cree Tribe's beliefs.

Unfortunately, I've had trouble finding more of his works on-line. I did find one link for an oil painting at Manitou Galleries.

The painting depicts a tribal family receiving their monthly ration of staple foods. The story behind "monthly rations" is not exaclty a good one, full of corruption. But that's for another day. I love this painting! Even the family dog gets to enjoy the fresh watermelon, which was certainly a surprise.

Ration Day by Jesse W. Henderson

What's your favorite part of this lovely glimpse into life on the reservation?

Jim Yellowhawk designed Pendleton's Lakota Way of Life blanket, the 2010 edition of the Legendary series. This one is also full of symbolism and it's not hard to learn about this artist.

His website includes an awesome, large gallery, bio information and a short video clip of him dancing (video only, no drum). There is also a blog with great photos. Sadly, the blog has not been updated since August of last year. His beautiful wife Ruth crossed over on August 7th. She had been diagnosed with cancer a few months earlier.

On his website, be sure to click on Links and select the last on the list for great articles on the artist and his son.

Jim Yellowhawk

TerryLee Whetstone is Cherokee and the designer of Pendleton's 2008 Legendary blanket called The Record Keeper. This is another of my personal favorites. His website includes both his music and his artwork. The link below takes you to the Original Art Sold page of the website. I love the titles! You'll have to scroll down and see "Now What" and "Turtle Stomp'N"

While you're there, go to his Home page to hear his beautiful flute music.

TerryLee Whetstone.com

When you start paying attention to "Circles" in your life, they appear everywhere. I was watching a PBS show about blowing glass....

Pendleton Woolen Mills has another series of eleven blankets. The American Indian College Fund blankets include designs of several world renowned Native artists. Proceeds from the sale of these help fund scholarships.

The newest edition in this series is entitled Raven and the Box of Knowledge. The artist designer is Preston Singletary, Tlingit of the Pacific Northwest. His website is awesome and imagine my surprise, he works in GLASS!

Another Circle completed!

Pendleton's American Indian College Fund blankets

Preston Singletary

I didn't catch it in the various articles, but sure it's there somewhere...

Pendleton has produced an serioes of blankets for the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian.

The first, "Sauninga" (Ho-Chunk, 'The Shining One'); the second, "Coastal Moons" (Northwestern Coast influences - I have this one); and the third, "Identity by Design" (Plains, Plateau, and Great Basin derived). A Fritz Scholder landscape, "New Mexico No. 1", was woven for an exhibition that opened a couple years ago.

In researching the titles of the blankets, I stumbled onto NA quilts that are posted on the internet & displayed in the museums. Maybe our quilting forum members would be interested.

Thanks for that additional information! Are sales of the blankets for the Smithsonian also used for fund raising, or are they just for exhibition like New Mexico No.1?

Profits from the blanket series sales go to the museum. They run limited editions (sewn in label, I believe) along with the standard product. Museum members get a discounted price & free shipping. A cost savings that offsets the annual minimum $25 annual membership fees, in this instance.

I just put away my quilt making supplies from the winter craft projects I work on. Next winter I would love to attempt a NA quilt with a Buffalo on it and some antique Sioux designs.

My brother used to work at a trading post in Washington (PNW) -- he was the manager and he had some of the most beautiful Pendleton blankets there.

Don't forget the Tipis with radio antenneas in bordering the bison.

<At least that's what my granddaughter calls the design>

Radio antennae -- that's cute. Good idea, Beetle. Thanks.

Either that or they haven't gotten cable or fiber-optics run into the village, and need for TV reception.

Jane is going to send her Hawks after us for messing around in her thread.

Hmmm...they had TV's back then?

Not to belabor off-topic much longer. Remember to stay geometric & symmetrical. Actually, the antennea are 3 pronged-forks that break up a overly solid basckground. <See I learned something in my Sioux Beadwork classes 3 years ago>

Awesome! Thanks for that information. That will make a really nice quilt. I like the Sioux colors and designs.

I am going to have to go look up those artists and Pendleton art work Jane mentioned. I love Pendleton blankets.

Well this will monkey with your inspiration Phyllis

Oh my! Now that is something to ponder on for sure. Where did you ever find that picture?

I am anxious now to design my quilt. I have it perfectly set up in my mind.

An Elder set up a Tipi (or is it tepee?) at the Unity Pow-Wow back in May 2009. I just couldn't resist the juxtaposition and had to take a photo. What a strange place for a tepee (or is it tipi?) However, a satellite dish could have improved the shot.

Bettlemess, you have a Pendleton, but you didn't tell its story. I'm hoping there is a little bit you can share with us about your blanket.

I should say that actually the household has the blanket - Coastal Moons - second in the NMAI series. It actually belongs to the wife & she refuses to use it, in order to preserve the light blue color. No fading or dirt for her.

Gave it to her for Christmas just after it was released.

I really wanted to chop it up into a capote - just kidding.