It is always good to see and explore the Native American sites on the web, and it is even more pleasing to see Native American artists of all mediums coming more and more into the awareness of “the world”. In this instance, we are fortunate, one and all, to be in on the ground floor of a budding artist. For not only is she beginning a fairly new artistic path, but she is as well, beginning a new Discovery Path, her True Heritage of being Apache/Cherokee.
There are many in this country, and yes, nowadays outside of it as well, who have tried and striven to gain some kind of “world recognized” proof of their heritage but far more are the failures in this regard than the successes. So, let us go and celebrate together as we explore both “Lil Deer”s heritage and her artistic endeavors.
I will not go in depth on Lil Deer’s “bio” because it is given within the pastures of her site. I will simply say that she was raised in Dunedin, Florida after her adoption at age five, while the name on her Driver’s License says Jeanne McMahon. She speaks as becoming active in the art world in December of 1999. This, might seem a “not so new” a beginning; however, in the world of art, it is actually quite new.
Her first exhibit was in 2000 at the Gulfport Library, where she also works part-time. Since that time she has had several other exhibits and has expanded from charcoal/graphite to oil, acrylic and watercolor artwork. As many have and do, she began with landscapes but has since, she speaks, expanded into abstract art while experimenting with color and the flow of liquid paint with additions of cloth or other synthetic or natural materials.
She presently also teaches young children and adults to paint with oil, acrylic and watercolor within a special program which is sponsored by the Friends of the Library, in Gulfport.
We do not have a current website address for Lil Deer.
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