Day of Yellow Hair

The Lakota Wicitowa (Lakota Paintings) by Daniel Long Soldier are among the purest expressions of American art we’ve ever presented to collectors. They are authentic, uniquely Native American and riveting; Sioux warriors count coup on Custer, Crazy Horse pursues Custer’s scouts and Crow Dog’s wife rescues a fellow Lakota. Artist Tom Gilleon corresponded with Daniel, an Oglala Lakota Sioux, regarding Tom’s project "Soldiers Falling into Camp." Long Soldier offered to help him with some ideas for the pictographs that Gilleon wanted to place on the tepees in his painting. These “ideas” arrived in the form of 10 paintings Long Soldier had created on antique ledger paper. The drawing style and the paper from the 1800s immediately raised curiosity over whether we were looking at something created 140 years ago or today. Six paintings have been combined into "Day of Yellow Hair" a diptych that can be purchased on its own or as a matching number set to Gilleon’s "Soldiers Falling into Camp." The four additional Lakota Wicitowa may be purchased individually. "Day of Yellow Hair" Left Panel “One Who Walks with Stars” (Oglala Sioux) wife of “Crow Dog” rescues a warrior. Kills two soldiers by river. Emphasizing the deep personal nature of these paintings, this is a story that Long Soldier grew up with in his own home. "Strong Heart Society Warrior Counting Coup, 1876" - The Strong Heart Society was a Sioux warrior organization like the Cheyenne Dog Soldiers. They wore war bonnets with split horns and the distinctive red sash. If cornered in battle, a Strong Heart would plant his sash in the ground and fight to his death in that spot. Only a relative could save could save a Strong Heart committed to fight to the death “Crazy Horse” in pursuit of two Crow warriors! Scouts for Custer– Crazy Horse held a special disdain for the Crow or any other Indian that worked with the Cavalry. He believed that if you were Indian you should be helping Indian. Right Diptych panel "Strong Heart Warrior with Two Captured Horses, 1876" - The red feathers in a Strong Heart warrior’s bonnet indicated that he had been wounded in battle. It was the Native American version of our military’s Purple Heart. "Yellow Nose Counting Coup on Custer" - Long Soldier states Custer was admired for his valor and courage in this fight. After his death, his body wasn’t mutilated as many others were. Holes were poked in his ears, however, because his poor battle tactics indicated that he probably wasn’t listening to the advice of others. "Strong Heart at Little Big Horn, Rain in Face" - Most warriors would not brag of their own feats in battle but rather would leave the telling of these accomplishments to others. From the stories a young Daniel Long Soldier heard growing up, Rain in Face was a warrior and a half, a true born warrior, but a man who’s exploits remain unknown to the world at large.