{tink makes art}

Headdresses, or warbonnets, were originally worn in times of battle by Native Americans in only the Great Plains region, such as the Sioux, Crow, Blackfeet, Cheyenne, and Plains Cree. It was not until the 1800′s with the rise of American tourism and forced tribe relocation to the West that other tribes adopted the custom. Headdresses became a fashion and symbol of authority for many tribes, “but for the Plains India tribes, feather warbonnets were a sacred display of a man’s honor and courage, and each feather told a story.” Here’s a simple headdress you can make!

Source: Native-Languages.org

“Life is like riding a bicycle.
To keep your balance you must keep moving.” – Albert Einstein

I’ve definitely applied this concept to my own life over the past eight months. I tell myself daily, especially when things feel hopeless, “Remember life is made up of individual steps; just keep putting one foot in front of the other.” I also remind myself of a phrase I learned on the Navajo reservation while doing research in college: Táá hwo ají t’éego. It means, “It’s up to you” or “Just move it.” Whatever it is you’re going through, you will move past it. Just keep moving forward…

Photo: Dutch Bicycle watercolor by Jamie Shelman via {frolic!}

I ran across this artist’s work on one of the blog’s I follow regularly (I can’t remember which one though!) and instantly fell in love. Somber, romantic, detailed, black and white illustrations with splashes of color. Love them!

Amanda Mocci – Graphic Designer and Illustrator in Montreal Quebec

DARK WINGS – A portrait by Amanda Mocci from Amanda Mocci on Vimeo.

Kelli Murray-Larson, my favorite artist, is having a giveaway on her blog! Enter here to win all of this amazing loot! Ends Friday, so hurry on over!

I LOVE owls! They’ve been a theme in my life (for some reason), especially this past year. I’m drawn to their big eyes, crazy noises, and fluffy feathers, as well as their symbol of wisdom. I ran across Jen Peters blog “a hoot a day” thanks to Ellie Snow over at mint. Jen is a graphic designer and fellow owl lover, so she decided to illustrate an owl a day in 2011 and share her creations with us! Lovely so far, aren’t they?!

lovely illustrations by kirbee lawler