TURTLE HEART

A good smoke
before an old dance.
This American Indian man is 83 years old. He has learned how to keep personal power, beauty and the sacred mystery life together. His movements upon the earth are in the footsteps of those who have gone before him.Tribal art reflects, at its best, this passion for a distinctive life which comes from being close to the earth as often as possible. He has the formidable beauty of his own spirit to direct him in this life. He does not need either your approval or your understanding. Instead of pushing against the world, he dances for it. There is such freedom set loose when that happens. He has never blamed anyone. When he wants to move, however and wherever he may move, the way is cleared before him. There are no obstacles present which prevent him from being himself. Inside every life is a sacred dancer. Some dances create forgiveness, which comes as rain upon the earth. Some dances release a vison, and capturing that vison we may make art and tell a story in time of spirit, of uniqueness, of the beauty of the sacred earth.