Small Town News

English patience

---

Talented artist works with St. Ann's students

The man in the flannel shirt and faded jeans approached the easel. He took the pastel chalk and began to doodle a bit, all the while talking to the St. Ann's Catholic School students about the importance of education and being a good person. In a few minutes, what was a blank sheet of artist sketch pad came to life with Native American imagery and figures.

Internationally-acclaimed artist Sam English has never been one to flaunt his talent or success. English has always enjoyed success in the art field, but the Turtle Mountain Chippewa tribal member believes that sharing his expression of art is the richest reward of them all.

"Never let anybody tell you that your art is ugly. That's not cool but if they do that, just say I like it and that's what matters the most. It means something to you and what is in your mind. Now that's what's cool. Never be afraid of criticism and be proud of what you do," English told the St. Ann's students who Were amazed at the quick lesson in "doodling" from English.

English provided guidance as the students all took to their own imaginations and created some fine work in less than an hour of individual efforts.

"Art is something that most people appreciate and we all have those talents to a certain extent. Art is from in here," English stated as he tapped on his left chest. "But I stress the value of education and that means you also have to read, study hard and learn all of the subjects in school."

The renowned painter has had so many awards in the professional art field, he has a difficult time remembering them all. He noted the most recent one was the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southwest American Indian Artists (SWAIA. That honor was bestowed on English while he was taking part in the Indian Market in Santa Fe, New Mexico in August.

English has a unique way with children and quickly established a close rapport with the St. Ann's students. While they were getting their lesson in sketching, "English style," the students laughed and clearly were inspired by the talk given by their new art mentor. As English moved among the students, he applauded each of their works of art and joked with many of them. The end result of the afternoon lesson last Thursday were many colorful pastel sketches from the students that will join other art creations that grace the walls of the parochial school.

After the students left the St. Ann's cafeteria where English conducted his lesson for them, he sat down and talked of his love for teaching and inspiring people in the art field. Never boastful or arrogant in any way despite his world-wide fame, English is grateful for the life he has lived through his art and the many wonderful experiences he's enjoyed because of it.

"I love doing these workshops and it's great to come home to the Turtle Mountains," said English as he autographed some books that have recently been published on him. The title of the large hard-cover book is "The Life, Work, and Times of an Artist". The book reveals how English became interested in the field of professional art and features not only his famous painting, but there are also photos of his earliest sketches when he was a young boy,

"I could have done other things when I was in my prime," he related. "I worked for the BIA for a while, but I'm too pro-Indian and so that means I'm not a bureaucratic kind of guy. I don't think any real artist could enjoy the life of a nine-to-five workday. Our inspiration for doing our art comes at all hours of any day of the week. Sometimes you go for a while with a blank page and then the creative thing hjts you and you go to work for days on end. That's the way art is and the way creativity works in the mind and soul."

English revealed some tales of his latest travels to Marquette University in Michigan where he gave a workshop for the college students there and a following trip to the Po-towotami reservation where that particular tribe keeps bringing him back.

"For some reason, that tribe likes me over there. That's the third time they invited me and they treat me real good. The Turtle Mountain people have treated me good every time I've been back home here too. When I do the workshops with Indian students, I like to push the fact that they should live balanced and healthy lifestyles. We have too many chronic diseases like diabetes and the stress on reservations is so high. I like to think doing art is part of a healthy lifestyle and putting in the time and effort doing it will help keep interests away from the alcohol and drug scene prevalent among our native communities. I've been down that road and never want to return to that world of addiction."

Sober and in recovery from his admitted alcohol addiction for over 18 years now, English looks on art as a method of cleansing, therapy and part of his spiritual awakening each time he picks up a pen, brush, or chalk. His is the artist's soul and he says he tries his best to walk a path of honesty and humility.

"I don't ask for much when I do workshops, but I believe in one thing. If I do a workshop in a native community, I want the students to have decent equipment and materials. I actually encourage the schools or grant agency to provide that. I really want the Indian kids to enjoy working with good easels and quality paint and materials. I see too much of the Indian kids getting second-rate used stuff. They deserve better because I see too much artistic talent with our native youth and the way to encourage that is to give them something good to work with. So I believe that I'm just asking for things on the students behalf. If they can't provide what I think is good, then I do my best to bring it to the workshops myself. How is that for honesty?" stated English.

The Sam English Artist Workshop at St. Ann's was funded by a grant from the Kellogg Foundation and was written by Carol Ann Davis of Belcourt. Davis was thrilled to help bring the talents of English to the St. Ann's Catholic School students.

"When you can get someone of his caliber and talent to come and work with our kids, you go for it," said

Davis. "Sam is always such a refreshing person to have around and I hope he will be able to come back soon."

As English loaded his van after the workshop, he looked northward and shivered as the cold wind penetrated through his clothing.

"Well, think I'll follow the geese and head south for the winter. Looks like the winter is early this year, so guess New Mexico is calling right now for me. It's been fun but this van is heading south. Keep on drawing and painting."

"I like to think doing art is part of a healthy lifestyle and putting in the time and effort doing it will help keep interests away from the alcohol and drug scene prevalent among our native communities. I've been down that road and never want to return to that world of addiction."

Sam English



Copyright 2009 Turtle Mountain Star, Rolla, North Dakota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2010 Turtle Mountain Star Rolla, North Dakota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

More from Turtle Mountain Star