Monday, March 1, 2010

"GEORGE "WOOGIE" WATCHETAKER"

This is the No. 60 painting in my 365/2010 series
Title: GEORGE "WOOGIE" WATCHETAKER"
Size: 9x14 inches
Medium: Transparent watercolor done on 100% handmade paper.
George Woogie Watchetaker is a full blooded Comanche Native American. I saw Woogie , the first time at the 1976 Oklahoma State fair and could tell immediately that he was very SPECIAL.
I met Woogie in 1988, I was doing a Residence in Blair, Oklahoma and on my way to Blair I saw a sign that said Medicine Park so I had to go there. I met several Native American Indians there and on of then started talking about dancing. I had seen Woogie dancing several years before and they knew him. I had him on my list of 18 native American Artist that I wanted to do portraits of and they told me where he lived in Apache, Oklahoma. Not far from Blair. I looked him up and met him and his wife Eva. This is the third time I have painted his picture. He was the best Fancy Dancer on the National Native American dancing circuit. He was several time National Champion. The first portrait of him, a 22x30 inch painting won three best of show and two first places awards the 2 years it was edible for competition.
Woogie means HIDE-REAL-GOOD
Woogie died in 1993. His wife followed in death 5 days later.
I do hope you enjoy what I do.
Comment and/or remarks are appreciated.

2 comments:

gegeorge said...

"Woogie" was my wife's (Carol Pocowatchit-George) great uncle. After not having danced for many years my wife, my Mother and I went to vist him & Eva in Elgin around 1991. He gave my wife and my Mother two beautiful paintings which we cherish to this day, at the conclusion of our vist he agreed to come and dance for us creeks in Holdenville,Ok. many people were surprised and many came to dance with him and support him,but he did this for one reason, because his great grand neice had asked him. This shows much about his heart.

gegeorge said...

"Woogie" was my wife's (Carol Pocowatchit-George) great uncle. After not having danced for many years my wife, my Mother and I went to vist him & Eva in Elgin around 1991. He gave my wife and my Mother two beautiful paintings which we cherish to this day, at the conclusion of our vist he agreed to come and dance for us creeks in Holdenville,Ok. many people were surprised and many came to dance with him and support him,but he did this for one reason, because his great grand neice had asked him. This shows much about his heart.