Colleen Pfefferli's Art  

 

E-mail  Colleen Pfefferli,  wuti@one.net  

   

     

Dear Tom.  

    Glad to hear back from you.  I would like it very much if you would put my necklace on the able arts site.  I have about 30 or more pictures I would also like to send  as soon as I master that task.   I am looking to illustrate my stories for I have been a storyteller out East mostly for Barnes and Noble.  They  paid me $150 an hour but my health is not up to this kind of work so I have decided to illustrate all of my stories(some I have already put in print others are still in my Cherokee head.  I have a Cherokee font and would like to put English, Tsa-La-gi  sounds in english spelling and our actual syllabary (alphabet)  for each of my published stories.  I am learning how to use the computer to draw with (agonizing process) I have a small jamstudio but the pen is not very sensitive  for my current needs.  healthwise most art materials are toxic to my non-functioning immune system.  I am grateful to A-Da-Nv-Do for being a humanbeing and able to reinvent myself through the creative process.  I am still doing small weavings and baskets.  My days of larger than life weavings and silk paintings hanging in the Heard museum in Phoenix, Arizona are probally behind me.  I am hoping to get grant money to set up manufacturing of Kapotes  

(Pendleton Blanket Coat) designs I have created and other fiber items.  I have also developed 7 nations of American Indigenous dolls made in the traditional way with traditional materials.   So many good Ideas, but not enough energy and especially not enough money.  In the past I also danced, wrote music and designed curriculums.  I play the flute, banjo, drum, guitar and just about anything anyone gives me.  I cannot read music but I create it in song, instruments and dance.  It is good that I dance traditional ( in a circle)  for my wheelchair does not allow me much room for fancy dancing.  Prayer is the center part of all my work or energy for "I am just a shadow dreaming that I can create. Only A-DA-NV-DO (the Great Spirit) is the true Artist.  The Great Spirit Creates Shadows.  We can only create illusion of shadows.  Walk in Do-Hi-Yi (Peace and Tsi-Lv-Quo-Di ( Love)  Pika Di Tsaa Colleen Pfefferle,  ( Daughter Moon who begins to weave baskets under the shadow of the stars)  married to little Pepper (my husband Bill Pfefferle). Mother to Winter Wheat that Bow to Strong Wind and Richard Quick-to-Move Grey Cloud.  

   

Dear Tom.  

    It was so nice to get out and see some great art work.  Thank you so much for inviting Bill and I.  We do apologize for the late arrival.  I certainly enjoyed meeting your lovely family also.  It has been 5 1/2 years since I have been in the art world realm and it was exciting to see your vast and diversified work.  I have some more work on Ebay and site #558157546 if you would like to put it on your special  

site I would appreciate it greatly.  My fine art work is very different than yours and my crafts are just that, what I call my bread and butter.   I am working on setting up a major art exhibit of Huichol Spiritual art work from Mexico in the Sierras.  The people there are pretty well untouched by the outside world and are forced to sell their prayer art for trade items to survive and to continue their sacred ceremonies.  They do not have a word for money.  I am trying to get the  

exhibit set up at the Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Conn.  I have many contacts there and I know the Huichol's  work would be handeled with respect because it is sacred to them.  I have given several lectures and set up exhibits of Native American Women's work with active artist  

participation of several tribal women throughout the U.S.  The program at that time was called "The Sacred Circle :Women, Work and Church".  I have invested in a small collection of the Huichol sacred art work and would like to have them put in print (limited edition) and also in the  

form of cards and stationary to raise money for their need spiritual community center.  I have an example of mola art done in this manner from the Kuna Indios from the San Blas Islands off the coast of Panama.   I had done research on the passage of Materlinial work from mother to daughter in regard to their traditional dress which is a very intricate system of reverse applique, with beautiful but complicated  

stitchwork.  This was done at a time when I was working on my master's degree of art .  I have always loved fiberwork and have pretty well made that my major media until I became very ill . If you know of any grants to do this please let me know.   I am just now working with a wacom drawing board to create work completely using the computer.  I am still very much a novice at this but I am excited with the potential to create without the toxic effects of raw materials that up to now has greatly limited my work because of my immune system that has been pretty well destroyed by the lymes disease.  Perhaps I can do well enough to help  

others try this same method, or maybe  there are others who know of this device and can teach me.  I am only a beginner.  I want to thank you again Tom for including us in you art opening.  I hope that you and your family will visit us and see our art collection soon.    This is an open invitation, but I must warn you that my house is not child proof with my  

children now 25 and 17 years of age.  That does'nt mean I do not want children but be aware their are alot of pretty things for busy fingers. Let me know if you want me to child proof before your visit.  Wa-Do and Do-Hi-Yi  !  

    Thanks and Peace Colleen (Pika Di Tsaa) Pfefferle