Ahola (Germ God Kachina)
Signed & numbered Lithograph, edition of 500

This is an important chief kachina. The Soyal or Winter solstice Ceremony is the first kachina ceremony of the year. The primary ritual is to turn the sun back towards its summer path. At this time the kivas (underground circular ceremonial chambers) are opened. They have been closed since the kachinas left the villages in July. Again at the Powamu ceremony, or Bean Dance, Ahola will often be designated to open the ceremony on the first night. The next sunrise Ahola, who is known as the "Ancient One" of the kachinas, and the Powamu Chief deposit prayer feathers at Kachina Spring. Later, at the end of the ceremony, Ahola descends to a shrine, bows four times to the sun and asks for long life, health, happiness, and good crops for his people.

This painting is entitled "His Last Dance," and I attempted to capture the dignity and wisdom of a man who has led his people for many years and even though his costume and feathers are tattered, broken and his step falters, he is still highly revered and honored.

Hopi means "The Peaceful Ones". Maybe this is why I find myself repeatedly focusing on these people, their values, and traditions.

Unframed, image size: 15.5”x19.5”: $95.00
Enhanced & Framed, Painted, Glazed & Varnished
~~with Santa Fe distressed, outside dimension 24.25”x 28: $325.00
~~with Italian deluxe, outside dimension 24.5”x 28.25”: $325.00

My enhanced lithographs are selected from the above edition. Each is mounted, painted, varnished, glazed and hand textured by the artist to look, feel smell and taste like the original. It is then framed with a 3” single piece hand wrapped linen liner surrounded by either a distressed 2” moulding from Santa Fe or a 3” Italian moulding. Each is signed and numbered as enhanced on the back.