Art Of The Dakotas Artist

Monika writes, "I was born and raised in Zurich, Switzerland. I moved to South Dakota after Harley Zephier, noted Lakota artist, and I were married in Hot Springs SD. Have been happy in SD ever since, thanks to thinsulate and my longjohns!
I became the artist I am today in South Dakota. My foremost muse and inspiration is the beautiful prairie landscape, the weather conditions (nowhere else you can see clouds and sunsets like here!), history, wildlife, geology, the Lakota culture and the vanished ancient peoples of the plains. I love prehistory, ancient artforms and technologies, indigenous cultures (including my own Swiss culture and heritage). I love to use my hands to make all kinds of 'stuff', and my imagination to figure out how to put new ideas to work. I am one of those people who can't walk by a nice piece of driftwood, a great looking rock, or an old bone. Antlers talk to me - 'please carve me', and I didn't have piece of mind until I knew how to brain tan a deer or buffalo hide, or how to do basic quillwork.

So, I am a fine art painter, carver, jewelry artist, sculptor; primitive skills practicioner. I don't think I will fit in one of the mainstream categories (much to the distress of art critics or judges...). Believe me, I tried to stay with one medium but I can't. Some people call me a crafts person, but to me my works are more than that. I am an artist, I am born with an artist soul. I'm working with my own inspiration and ideas. I am still learning, like all wanderers of life.

I always have multiple projects I am working on. I like to put some sense of humor in my works here and there. But, it also has to please a sense of aesthetics. I like simplicity. Beauty is in so many things around us, often overlooked.

I call my art 'Prairie Art Forms'. The materials and supplies I use are, let's say, 95 %, found in the area where I live and work (in the realms of Thunder Butte), except Duck tape.

Most of the time the materials, or the spirit of a found item, determine the appearance of a finished piece. I also love photography with my little digital camera. My favorite subject is the blossom of the prickly pear cactus and cloud formations.

Besides doing artwork: I like to drink coffee, spend time with my family, baking and cooking, take care of our animals (two appaloosa horses, two dogs and one cat), rummage sales and thrift stores, a good honest conversation, and looking at and admiring other artists works."

"THE HUNTER" Necklace
Non-Native Made
Hand prepared buffalo jaw bone (American bison) pendant, inlayed with red, black and yellow earth pigments. The fringe backing and the necklace straps are made from traditionally brain tanned deer hide; strung with buffalo bone and horn pipe beads. Pendant is 1 3/8" wide, 1 3/4 long (including fringe), bone and horn beads are 6" on each side.
Adjustable length. $105.00-Free Shipping in Continental US.

"THE HUNTER" Earrings
Non-Native Made
The earrings are Hand prepared buffalo jaw bone (American bison) retangles, inlayed with red, black and yellow earth pigments. Glass bead accents. Earring hooks are surgical steel, which is said to be non-allergenic. $52.00-Free Shipping in Continental US.
Protected by © copyright of Monika Zephier and may not be copied or used without permission of the artist.
~~~Major credit cards or PayPal accepted~~~

"Red Hot Chili Pepper"
Non-Native Made
Monika's hand carved willow Red Hot Chili Pepper fish with tin fins. Hand painted with acrylic paint and mounted on barnwood pedestal. 6 5/8" long, 1 1/8 inches wide and 4 3/8 inches tall including barnwood stand.
$75.00 with Free Shipping in Continental US.
Protected by © copyright of Monika Zephier and may not be copied or used without permission of the artist.
~~~Major credit cards or PayPal accepted~~~

"TURTLE MEDICINE" Necklace
Non-Native Made
Elk antler pendant with hand carved sandstone turtle (local stone from Thunder Butte). Hand made wild plum pit turtle beads with pyrography accents and choke cherry pit beads; both plum and choke cherries were harvested by Monika from their property. Traditionally hand tanned sna smoked deer hide. Beads, strung with artifical sinew, are accented by two bone 'donut' beads. Pendant is 1 3/4 inches long, 1 1/2 inches wide and 1/4 inches deep. Beaded part is 9 inches on each side with extra long deer hide straps to allow adjustable length. $145.00 plus $5.50 Shipping in Continental US.

"TURTLE MEDICINE" Earrings
Non-Native Made
Measurements: 1/4" long, 7/8" wide.
Elk antler hoops, wild plum pit turtle beads with pyrography design, porcupine quills, glass bead accent. Earrings are lightweight. $59.00 plus $5.50 Shipping in Continental US.
Protected by © copyright of Monika Zephier and may not be copied or used without permission of the artist.
~~~Major credit cards or PayPal accepted~~~

"TURTLE MEDICINE" Ring
Non-Native Made
Matches set above-Woman's Size 5 3/4-6
Made to order-email for information
kathleen@artofthedakotas.com

"Folk Art Chicken"
Non-Native Made
Hand carved from a cottonwood tree root, this folk art chicken features glass bead eyes, acrylic paint, prairie chicken feathers and pyrography (designs applied with a wood burning pen). Mounted on barnwood pedestal. 2 3/4 inches wide, 6 1/2 inches tall including cottonwood stand and 3 inches deep.
$90.00 with Free Shipping in Continental US.
Protected by © copyright of Monika Zephier and may not be copied or used without permission of the artist.
~~~Major credit cards or PayPal accepted~~~

"The Warrior Within..."
Choker/Necklace