Maverick Style: Inspired by the West

Handcrafted Rustic Dinnerware by Debbie Smith

I have been admiring Debbie Smith's beautiful dinnerware collections for quite some time. However, I did not realize that she was the artisan behind Touch of Art Pottery until I stumbled upon their Facebook page a couple of months ago.

Touch of Art Pottery has been in business for sixteen years, but owner Debbie Smith's love for playing in the Texas mud goes back a lot further. Many of their dinnerware designs are inspired by the colors and textures of the Texas Hill Country south of Hico, Texas. Each piece is handcrafted by Texas artisans from high fired stoneware. Each piece is truly of work of art, and is hand signed by the artist. All Touch of Art Pottery dinnerware is made with lead free glazes and is microwave, dishwasher, and oven safe. Their studio is located in Burleson, Texas and is a family affair with Debbie and her husband Barry working along side fellow Texan artisan Rusty Ehrhart and ceramic engineer Karla Wagner. If you stop by to visit, you will most likely be greeted by their three dogs, Raymond, Zoe and Hico.

Featured below are two beautiful collections by Touch of Art Pottery. The Bronze Cross Dinnerware (left) is a Debbie Smith premier design, and one of my favorites. I love how it is rustic and elegant at the same time. Rimmed in a bronze color, the pattern sets off a textured body of unique colors. A four piece place setting is priced at $104.95, and you can also buy each piece individually. The Longhorn Steer Dinnerware brings back the cattle drive of the 1800's. Created in a rustic and leather look like the cattle that inspired the design, this patterns brings the past to your table. It is the perfect dinnerware for a rustic lodge, ranch, or cabin.

You can find these two dinnerware collections and several more on the Touch of Art Pottery website. Reata Dinnerware is currently on sale, and (for a limited time) shipping is free for orders of $100 or more.

Statement Making Pieces from Cowgirl Kim

Rocki Gorman is a very well known and popular designer of Southwestern jewelry. I love her pieces because they are bold and colorful. When you wear Rocki Gorman jewelry, you will be noticed! If you haven't seen any of Rocki Gorman's jewelry, you are in luck, because Kim Moncure has a large selection of Rocki's distinctive jewelry on her website, Cowgirl Kim.

Rocki Gorman's love of the Southwest began nearly 40 years ago when she took a trip with her parents on Route 66 to visit family in Las Vegas. As they toured New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada, Rocki fell in love with the colors, shapes, and stones used to create Indian jewelry. Her father began mining turquoise in Tonapah, Nevada. As her family headed home, he traded with the local dealers and brought back quality handcrafted Indian jewelry to sell in New Jersey.

Rocki's love of stone cutting carved a new path for her. After moving to New Mexico eighteen years ago, she grew into one of the top designers in the Southwestern venue, and she has continued to inspire, create and design contemporary jewelry crafted by Native Americans. She also helps several Navajo families continue their rich silversmithing heritage, while keeping the designs modern and fun.

Kim Moncure of Cowgirl Kim recently returned from the Denver market with several new pieces of Rocki Gorman jewelry, and there is something for everyone on her website! I love the Turquoise Heart Necklace (left, $579)! It would make an amazing Valentine's Day gift! The necklace is comprised of four strands of vibrant blue turquoise stones in varying sizes, and the beautiful sterling silver heart pendant features a bezel set turquoise heart. The Rocki Gorman Onyx Cross Pendant (center, $219) is another favorite of mine. This large sterling silver pendant has the look of an old pawn piece. It is 4" tall and features intricate tooling as well as a bezel set rectangular onyx cabachon. The cross pendant is paired with Rocki's "Tres Platos" sterling silver bead necklace, also available at Cowgirl Kim ($499 for the pendant and necklace). The Purple Kingman Turquoise Cross Necklace (right, $599), is another colorful piece from Rocki's "Many Stones" collection. The sterling silver cross pendant features five stunning purple Kingman Turquoise stones on an intriquitely tooled cross. It looks gorgeous on the purple Kingman Turquoise and silver bead necklace.

Visit the Cowgirl Kim website to see these Rocki Gorman necklaces, as well as several other gorgeous Rocki Gorman pieces.

Native American Treasures from OutWest

I had the pleasure of meeting Nadiya Littlewarrior at the American Indian Arts Marketplace at the Autry National Center a couple of years ago. I thought that her gourds (which she calls Spirit Vessels) were beautiful and I have wanted to feature them on Maverick Style for quite some time. Recently, Bobbi Bell of OutWest gave me the good news that several of Nadiya's Spirit Vessels are featured on their website. Finally, I can share Nadiya's work with you!

Nadiya Littlewarrior began crafting art gourds thirteen years ago when a friend of hers invited her to attend an art gourd workshop. "For the first time in my life, I felt comfortable in my own skin. As a mixed-blood Native I was never as dark as the others and often was questioned as to just how much 'Indian' I am. Finally, all of that tension melted away, and I knew exactly what I should be doing with my art from that point forward."

Nadiya's husband John Davis inspired the name of her company, reminding her that the best way to come up with a name would be to dream on it, as her ancestors did. About her art gourds, Nadiya Littlewarrior says, "They are Spirit Vessels to me, because the Creator makes the Gourd People and puts their spirit in them and I get to dress them with regalia." Thus, Spirit Vessels was dreamed into being in 1993. With a history in art and a distinctively Potowatomi Cherokee heritage, Nadiya Littlewarrior is one of today's most dedicated artists of contemporary Native American art. Her collectors span the world, and she has exhibited her art at the Southwest Museum, the Antelope Valley Indian Museum, the Satwiwa Native American Culture Center and Museum, Mallard Sheets Gallery, and the William S. Hart Park and Museum.

Featured below left is "Butterfly Races," my favorite of Nadiya Littlewarrior's Spirit Vessels. This one of a kind piece has hand strung beading with actual dream catchers made into the gourd. I have had the opportunity to see it in person and It is absolutely stunning! Woodland Creatures (right) is another exceptional art gourd. Nadiya has gathered all her favorite woodland creatures, including a bear, cougar, deer, rabbit, and racoon and lovingly captured them on this large one of a kind gourd.

If you would like to see more of Nadiya Littlewarrior's beautiful Spirit Vessels, visit the OutWest website. Nadiya will also be a featured guest on the live radio show "Around the Barn," hosted by Bobbi Bell of OutWest on KHTS 1220 AM radio on Saturday, January 28th from 9 - 10 AM Pacific Time. Just go to www.hometownstation.com and click Listen Live.

At The Autry National Center

2012 marks the 15th Anniversary of the Masters of the American West Fine Art Exhibition and Sale at the Autry National Center. This prestigious exhibition features over 75 nationally recognized artists whose work is stylistically and themactically diverse, and challenges them to exhibit their very best work.

I am really looking forward to the opening weekend of this year's Masters of the American West event, to be held on Saturday and Sunday, February 4 - 5. I have attended the opening weekend events for the past two years and have really enjoyed them. This year, Saturday events include tours of the Masters of the American West Fine Art Exhibition of over 275 works of art, a presentation by artist Dean L. Mitchell, the Awards Presentation, a Chuck Wagon Luncheon, and a documentary screening of Oreland C. Joe, Master Scuptor, followed by a Q & A session with Oreland C. Joe. The evening features a cocktail reception and fine art sale by a draw. There will also be a silent-bid process for Howard Terpning's most recent masterpiece, "Traders Among the Crow". Sunday afternoon features a presentation by artist Len Chmiel and he will also be signing his book, Len Chmeil: An Authentic Nature. These weekend events provide attendees with the rare opportunity to not only see some of the best Western art in the country, but to meet and speak to the artists in person.

The Masters of the American West weekend events are only open to those who purchase tickets in advance. You can find more information regarding how to purchase tickets on the Autry National Center website. If you are not able to attend the opening weekend events, the Masters of the American West Fine Art Exhibition will remain at the Autry through March 18. If you live in the area, or will be visiting during this time, you won't want to miss this prestigious exhibition of Western art.

Featured below are two of my favorite paintings from this year's Masters of the American West Fine Art Exhibition and Sale. "Fall Morning Glory" (left) is by Francois Koch, one of my favorite landcape artists, and "Approaching Rival" (right) is one of three beautiful paintings that will be exhibited by award winning artist Tucker Smith. I am very excited to see these paintings and many more in person on Saturday, February 4!

For more information regarding the Masters of the American West Fine Art Exhibition and Sale, visit the Autry National Center website.