SciFi and Fantasy Art: Thunderbird

I really liked this image. Fantasy with a different cultural twist. Too often, all we see are celtic fairies.

I've been doing a lot of reading lately on the thunderbirds, have you ever read anything on the myth of the eagle stone? It's a big indian legend, I really got into the whole exploring cultures after reading American Gods by Neil Gaimen, that's where I heard about thunderbirds, btw. Well Anyways, I hadn't given my imagination a humaniod form but you really found a way to work it, I love the lightening.

Cool drawing!

P.S. Please don't think that I am just picking on you as that is not the case. Many artist now days are using native american females in roles that they wouldn't naturally be in. Native american culture to this day is still predominately male. I know that is sad to say in this day and time but those who grow up and stay on the reservation still live by the rules of the men. The Chief as well as the Counsil of Elders are all men. I don't agree with the way they treat their women but I do agree with there legends and gods. Which were male.

Kathleen Hardy replies: "I have noticed te uptick in Native influenced art as well. I'm not sure of the reason.I'm part Native American too, and I think it's well within the bounds of art to introduce new ideas and concepts into culture. That is a function of art.Having said that, I don't think the idea of female leaders is entirely foreign to Native American cultures, just ask Wilma Mankiller.While some tribes have been (and maybe still are) male-dominated, all tribes are different and many were matriarchal rather than patriarchal."

This is a beautiful picture but I find it a little offensive. I am part Native American and as far as I know no Female Native Americans would ever look like this. Most native american gods are male to my knowledge as would be the Thunderbirds if they took on human form. But as I said, it is a beautiful work of art.

Beautiful to look at. Thuderbirds are so mysterious and powerful.

Now, THIS is a goddess who demands attention. I don't believe I've ever seen a winged humanoid in mid-air posing this way before, but that adds to its attraction and mystery. The flashing, pupil-less eyes add to the power of her. (As with Storm of the X-Men, speaking of thunder women.) The markings on her wings wouldn't have grown that way, but most definitely could have been added that way to make her more forceful, to live up to the role.

I also endorse your thoughts on a matriarchy having generated its own goddesses, and whether or not Native American cultures had done so, much evidence exists as to the Old Religion (now Wicca) having done so in the other hemisphere long ago.

As with "Believe," I hope some larger or more detailed scan is available somewhere ...

(Sardonic supplement: "Matriarchy," used above, doesn't pass the comments spell-check around here. A run-through suggests "matriarch" or "patriarchy" instead. Bias, Thomas, bias {rueful smile} ... Doesn't recognize "humanoid," either. Not very useful to leave THAT out.)

I’m sorry but this is about what I would expect from a grade 12 art class . Created by someone with a little bit of talent but who will ultimately end up making thier money through other pursuits. I don’t quite get the symbolism of the lightning comeing from her crotch...Would the thunder be from somewhere else ? /shrug , kind of silly

Your comments are worth as much as your "anonymous" name. If you really have an opinion, why not put your real name on it? Clearly, you didn’t really look at the image-- the lightning comes from her hand, and her crotch isn’t even visible. And, whether or not you’d expect this from a grade 12 art class-- I wouldn’t know, since I never really got to take any art classes. (This is a very old piece, and not one of my newest, way better pieces.)

BTW- I’ve been a professional artist for more than 10 years, making 100% of my money through art.