Creating Native American art is a wonderful way to learn about Native Americans and create colorful artwork. Many Native American crafts are made with natural materials including feathers, shells, leather, string, metal and clay. Nature is a strong influence in the creation of Native American art as a subject matter as well as material for production.
Coil Pot
Native American pottery is well known for its unique design and coil construction. When pottery is created, the Earth is respected by using all materials and leaving nothing to waste. Maria Martinez was a famous Native American potter who used the coil method to create her pots. See the Resources for more about Maria and her style of pottery.
To create your own coil pot, start by creating a base that is round and flat, and about 1/2 inch thick. Pinching off small balls of clay, begin rolling long coils of clay. When coil is finished, attach to base by scoring, or cutting into clay base with a knife. Apply a small amount of slip, or watered down clay, to scored clay and press on coil. Continue rolling coils and attaching by scoring and using slip. When finished with pot, either smooth outside like Maria Martinez or leave coils showing.
Native American Headdress
Native Americans wear headdresses for celebrations, such as powwows. Everyone wears headdresses, including children. The feather warbonnet is what most people associate with Native American headdresses, but there are many different types created from different natural materials. Feathers, reeds, fur, shells, beads and leather are all used to create headdresses. See the Resources for examples of headdresses and learn more about their uses.
Select a colorful piece of construction paper and cut a strip that will fit around the head. Using natural objects and the concept of pattern, or something that repeats itself, glue objects onto construction paper strip. Add additional decoration using oil pastels to create lines and shapes. Incorporate natural objects such as images of animals or plants. When finished, secure headdress with glue or tape.
Native American Weaving
Weaving in the Native American culture is full of pattern and design. Rugs, blankets and baskets are woven with natural fibers such as reeds and wool, and pattern and colorful design are incorporated. Dyes for rugs and blankets are made from boiling plants, fruits or vegetables, such as onion skins, which create yellow dye. Rugs and blankets are woven on looms out of cotton and wool.
Create your own loom by folding a piece of 9 by 11 inch construction paper in half by placing the paper with the longest sides toward your stomach and at the top. Fold the short edges of the paper to each other from right to left. Hold the paper so the fold is facing your stomach and cut 1 inch slits into the paper, leaving a 1 inch border around the outside edges. Cut strips of colorful construction paper. Open paper loom and weave strips of construction paper in and out of cut slits. Continue weaving until entire paper loom is filled.
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