The Guardian Warrior - Blackfoot

Fine art LIMITED EDITION signed giclee - prices start at $135

Each numbered print comes with a certificate of authenticity in your choice of high-quality watercolor paper or canvas. Paper prints are shipped rolled. Canvas prints have two finishing options: 1) Shipped rolled in a tube or 2) stretched and ready-to-hang with a gallery wrap finish. Your print will be shipped within 10 business days of purchase. Embellished giclees are only available as canvas, stretched, and ready-to-hang and take 8 to 10 weeks to complete. Read more about embellished giclees here.

Do you have questions about The Guardian Warrior?

Please contact me at James Ayers studios with any questions you might have.

More about The Guardian Warrior 

A brave warrior sallies forth to defend his people. But from whom?

I wanted The Guardian Warrior to leave the question up to the viewer, "whom is this warrior guarding his people from?" Does he face a great force or a single foe? Regardless of who you imagine, the warrior's bravery and skill are evident. The powerful unbroken focus in his face will ensure his enemies to not escape his gaze. 

The composition of this work guides your eyes toward the rider's face. Notice how the bow string and the angle of the horse's head guides your eye to his powerful gaze. The blue of his shirt and the headdress itself all frame his intense countenance. 

The rider wears a traditional headdress: a fearsome sight for his enemies, as it is meant to show his prowess on the battlefield. Each eagle feather marks an occasion in which the warrior demonstrated great bravery during battle, known as counting coup. The front of the headdress is made with red trade cloth and brass tacks. He also wears a blue trade shirt with a brass armband. The warrior has medicine bundles tied to his bow, meant to quiet the bow and help his aim.  

The horse too has displays of his bravery in battle, shown through the coup marks on his snout. Tied to the horse's reins are medicine bundles. These bundles were meant to make the horse braver and stronger, as well as provide him protection.