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Starcanis — Zuni Spirit

Published: 2005-06-13 23:28:51 +0000 UTC; Views: 65740; Favourites: 2775; Downloads: 11937
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Description "Indian fetishes are hand-carved objects, which represent the spirits of animals or the forces of nature. From the earliest times in North America, the Indians have used fetishes in an effort to master the arbitrary and unpredictable forces beyond their control. The earliest fetishes are called Ahlashiwe or stone ancients by the Zunis. They were naturally formed stones that seemed to resemble people or animals, sometimes made more realistic with the features accentuated by a carver.

They are considered more powerful and were formerly thought to be ancient animals or people turned to stone. All Southwestern tribes make and use fetishes. However, the Zuni people have developed a reputation for being the most skillful in carving elaborate fetishes, which are used in their religious rituals and are an integral part of their personal lives.

Zunis believe that animals, as well as inanimate objects and the forces of nature, have a spirit force, which can either help or hurt man. It is believed that the carved animal fetishes host that spiritual force and, if treated properly, will help their owners to overcome the problems facing them."

I had a crazy dream where I was surrounded by these little guys, and had to draw this.
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Comments: 295

Starcanis In reply to ??? [2005-10-19 22:11:20 +0000 UTC]

Little polar bear in a pouch... sounds like it could have been! They're carried around in medicine pouches often. Thank you!

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Majnouna [2005-10-14 06:05:02 +0000 UTC]

Just what I was looking for Great job.

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a110100 In reply to ??? [2005-10-12 21:44:51 +0000 UTC]

I used to take a lot of photographs for a store in Zuni and got to know some carvers, I would like to show some of them this picture becuase it is so beautiful. Would you say a certain carver influenced the piece in the painting?

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Starcanis In reply to a110100 [2005-10-12 22:56:27 +0000 UTC]

*blush* Thank you kindly! The little wolf there was based off of my one and only Zuni carving, which I got around the time I drew this. He was carved by Lloyd Lasiloo, and the only difference is that he has brown eyes and not blue like in the picture. And the heartline is two different colors. If you show anyone, I hope they like it too...

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Tilted-H4l0 In reply to ??? [2005-10-11 04:44:48 +0000 UTC]

aaiiieee Its absolutelyt beautiful!

And I have a Zuni bear Its just a polar bear with an arrow on the back, made out of some kind of marble.

Absolutely wonderful to find some art of this

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siriuslylostwerewolf [2005-09-26 00:07:55 +0000 UTC]

Absolutely beautiful. Nice work!

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DragonSonata [2005-09-23 03:42:05 +0000 UTC]

*faints* That is sooooooo marvelous!

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Lime-On-A-Stick [2005-09-21 01:01:54 +0000 UTC]

This is one of the most beautiful picture I have seen in my entire life. The concept is amazing! I love astronomy and I have always been interested in mistical things like this. The entire spiritual world amazes me. This picture almost made me cry, the impact just over powers you. Its amazing. I love how the eyes just...jump out at you. I love how it looks as if it is jumping out of a strange type version of the Northern Lights. This is amazing. And it looks so real, I hope I end uo drawing like you someday.


p.s. I live in Michigan too, what Pininsulla do you live in.

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Shadowcthuhlu [2005-09-14 00:09:20 +0000 UTC]

wow. like the idea.

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WayaTaliTawadi [2005-09-10 17:35:21 +0000 UTC]

Ahhh, *snif* *stab to the heart*

I've been rendered speechless.

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Aslan1 In reply to ??? [2005-09-05 13:23:24 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful, absolutley beautiful.

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FlamingCow [2005-08-28 01:48:31 +0000 UTC]

minds me of totem haha for the mian however you spell it im the yellow sun zodiac is sagitaurus chinese is sheep and i tink my indian one is the falcon

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lonewolf77 [2005-08-26 03:44:53 +0000 UTC]

AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HAVE to favorite it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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clarerocksmysocks [2005-08-22 12:27:07 +0000 UTC]

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Black-Snow-Wolf [2005-08-22 09:54:53 +0000 UTC]


I love it!

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xKerei [2005-08-20 21:30:16 +0000 UTC]

Lovely picture. The colours used for the Wolf are fantastic.

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speedfox [2005-08-18 20:28:23 +0000 UTC]

Only one word of the english language can describe this, that word is... WOW.

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SilvaKaiot [2005-08-17 13:40:13 +0000 UTC]

That came out Great!!! I can't even discribe how great this is! Wounderful job!

All I can say is....

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Tisukiko [2005-08-09 07:38:36 +0000 UTC]

Wow. That... Is just absouletly gorgeous, amazing... And simply beautiful! It seems like a spirit-like wolf is just leaping out of the screen! It seems so realistic... So... Lovely, just like a dream! The form of the wolf is like ! It's just like seeing a sign in real life! So aweful... So... "OMGZ I'M OUT OF WORDS!"

Keep up the awesome work!

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Woofuls [2005-08-06 19:02:55 +0000 UTC]

This turned out really interesting! Looks really good, nice job

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rave-cat [2005-08-04 16:18:27 +0000 UTC]

fantabulous technique

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lilpeeg [2005-07-26 10:56:32 +0000 UTC]

*is speechless*

One word: *faves*

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BlueLiquorice [2005-07-26 05:48:08 +0000 UTC]

Such a cool concept for this piece, and so beautifully done. I was just in Zuni NM a couple weeks ago, they had cases and cases full of them and a few went home with us too - but none of the horse carvings came back with us, they were the most elaborate and too expensive. I have actually never seen a fetish that had both the heartline and the little bundle on its back. Glad you had such a wild dream.

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Lynnsong In reply to ??? [2005-07-22 01:59:22 +0000 UTC]

My god. This is breathtaking! I can't even... I can't find the words to express how gorgeous and inspirational this is. Awesome job. I can't take my eyes off it.

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LightningWolfen [2005-07-20 17:13:14 +0000 UTC]

Your work is amazing...I found you through Kay,and I must say I'm glad I did. You are stunning and create gorgeous pictures, simply put. Everything here takes my breather away, so for you. (This piece I found truly touching, btw, hence my putting this comment here. )

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Silverwick [2005-07-19 13:08:04 +0000 UTC]

This piece can be described in one word: OMFGITISSOFUCKINGREALISTICANDSOPERDEEEE!!!!!

Well that is one word isn't it?

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Hiei4242 [2005-07-18 20:37:37 +0000 UTC]

This is an amazing piece and your desciption is a awsome! I love wolves so much! I want to work with them in the future! I'm faving this.

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Mohegan567 [2005-07-14 09:26:58 +0000 UTC]

O_O. That is amazing!!! I love these mystic drawings. I have three wolf pictures that are in the some what same style. I bought it on vacation last year. But if I could choose this one I would surely pick it. ^_^

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Therian-Ravenmoon [2005-07-06 19:44:43 +0000 UTC]

That is just amazing! The colors are gorgeous and I love how the wolf spirit is coming out of the zuni.

~Ravenmoon~

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KabochaKitsune [2005-07-05 22:48:42 +0000 UTC]

That is ABsolutely gorgeous! The spirit wolf is astounding! And the fetish is so cute; the only one we have is of a Polar Bear...

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rainygal [2005-06-29 00:03:34 +0000 UTC]

Love the colors...

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LuezA-35 [2005-06-25 23:59:18 +0000 UTC]

Whao... That's beautiful!

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Demiewolfie [2005-06-25 02:06:58 +0000 UTC]

That's so pretty... excellent job as always!

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Raven512 [2005-06-24 16:34:46 +0000 UTC]

wow...that's awsome! such details and the colors! it's B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!!! must favorite!

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Vulpi [2005-06-24 04:51:09 +0000 UTC]

The wolf spirit looks unbelievably gorgeous

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Wolficorn [2005-06-21 07:10:10 +0000 UTC]

When I saw this picture, I was so utterly moved! Even I didn't know so much about the fetishes as you tell, here... and the image you created seems to draw out the power of this fetish and then illuminate it! In a way, it sems some pictures and art forms are fetishes... in their own rite.

~Arctic

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Wolf-Lovers-Pride In reply to ??? [2005-06-21 00:17:09 +0000 UTC]

I'm Cherokee and know about the fetishes. Very awesome job you did on this. Love the colors.

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Mishevious-LittleImp In reply to ??? [2005-06-20 15:53:32 +0000 UTC]

oh this is georgous must fave! did u use photo shop? i love the way uve dun the mixture of colours fading in!!!!!!!

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TurtleSea [2005-06-19 16:52:28 +0000 UTC]

It's Wonderfullllllllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!

Keep Going!

Ride Free, Citizen!!!

See my gallery

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NayruLocksley [2005-06-18 21:07:26 +0000 UTC]

i'll just say this is simply amazinly beautifull.....the colors make the picture so harmonic....and the glow on the wolf's spirit looks great....love the expresion on his face....really nice.....excelente job! I HAVE to Fav this....great job keep it!!

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Ziie [2005-06-18 16:04:06 +0000 UTC]

Spiffytacular, I wish I had your talents >< I love the colors you chose and the blending of the wolf spirit and background and the "fetish"? is very cute loving the parallelism between the two arrows

Zie

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ox-of-ice [2005-06-18 14:03:20 +0000 UTC]

One word for you: OMG.

And also: ;ljway[ijfdjw5uy[egs;jatekjfjjfjfkfjlfgjlfkjlkjgjkjk!!!!!!111498359830683056


+fav DUH O__O!

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Starcanis In reply to ox-of-ice [2005-06-18 15:41:00 +0000 UTC]

The depth and detail of your comment brings a tear to my eye. I don't think I would have ever considered "kjfjjfjf" unless you had brought it to my attention. And for this, I thank you.

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ox-of-ice In reply to Starcanis [2005-06-18 15:54:39 +0000 UTC]

Aw, man! You made me snort my coffee out my noooooooooooooooose D:!

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xBlack-x-Rosex In reply to ??? [2005-06-18 06:03:38 +0000 UTC]

I love it!

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NamiAquatique [2005-06-18 04:52:47 +0000 UTC]

Awesome, I love how you did the wolf. I love the eyes.

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Baerya [2005-06-18 00:41:36 +0000 UTC]

Wow, amazing. I love this piece, I put it as my wallpaper so I can oogle the amazing use of color every day! You have some unbelievable talent, I love your style and the whole concept is just something you don't see too often. It has inspired me to try different styles myself and in my writing as well. Great job!

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Starcanis In reply to Baerya [2005-06-18 15:42:41 +0000 UTC]

Wow! I'm glad that it has inspired you... you'll have to show me what you try out. Thanks a ton!

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Sabretooth-Fox [2005-06-17 21:30:48 +0000 UTC]

whoa maga awsome and beautiful

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returnofshine In reply to ??? [2005-06-17 17:30:36 +0000 UTC]

That looks so awesome. Nice

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