Description: Pastel (2007) | Image Size: 18”h x 14”w; Framed Size: 30 ½”h x 27”w

With the possible exception of Sitting Bull, no 19th century American Indian leader is more widely known than Geronimo. Harley Brown has interpreted this figure from the pages of history many times. In this portrait, the Apache leader looks directly at the viewer with clear eyes and an expression of strength and resolve. Working from historic photographs, Brown creates a realistic and recognizable portrait that captures the many facets of Geronimo’s personality. A bright red bandana tied around the chief’s head adds a dramatic splash of color to the portrait and emphasizes the face as its focal point. It is, however, the depiction of the Indian leader’s eyes gazing directly at the viewer that lends this depiction of an important historical figure a heightened sense of reality. For both men, Geronimo and Harley, their keen sensibilities, intuitive instincts and technical proficiencies deliver on essence.

Description: Pastel (2002) | Image Size: 26”h x 21”w; Framed Size: 38”h x 31”w

Harley Brown’s “Proud Nation” made its debut at the Prix de West Exhibition & Sale in 2002 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. It was also included in the book entitled “The Art and Life of Harley Brown: Confessions of a Starving Artist”. In it, Harley wrote: Rebecca is a favorite model with an amazingly strong presence. Her body is directed to us, figuratively embracing the viewer; and yet her face is to the side, rather distant and lost to us. I like those kind of contrasts.

Splashes of both bright and muted colors surround the figure adding visual interest, as well as serving as a contrast to the textures of the figure’s dress. Harley recently shared that it is important to him to add drama in background design as it is too often overlooked.

Description: Pastel | Image Size: 19”h x 16”w; Framed Size: 31”h x 27”w

Canadian Harley Brown is a master portrait painter with the ability to capture the individual essence and personality of his subjects. He frequently paints Native figures dressed in full regalia representing their tribal affiliation. He focuses on their faces, depicting them in great detail. His backgrounds, such as the one in this painting of “Blood Chief”, often feature splashes of bright color that complements and serves to frame the portrait itself. In this pastel, he has paid particular attention to adding such authentic details as the red cloth hanging from the headdress and the necklaces draped around the Chief’s neck.

The Blood Tribe or Káínawa Nation is a First Nations band in southern Alberta, Canada, and is one of three nations comprising the Blackfoot Confederacy.

Description: Bronze | Dimensions: 21”h x 14”w x 12d”; Edition: #1 of 21

In 2007, Harley Brown tried his hand at sculpting when his long-time friends, Deborah and Fred Fellows, encouraged him to “go for it.” Like his pastel portraits, Brown concentrated his talents on depicting the weathered face of his subject. And though it was a medium that he had not worked in, his skill in capturing the subject’s personality transitioned well from pastel to clay with the added benefit of a layered, textural quality to the piece. The EBC is proud to have in its collection Edition No. 1 of Brown’s “Call of the Raven” bronze.

Description: Pastel (2003) | Image Size: 22”h x 17”w; Framed Size: 33 ½”h x 27 ½”w

In October of 1937 at eighty years of age, Chief Mountain Horse died. He was the sole remaining brave of the Blackfeet Blood Tribe who fought in the last Indian battle recorded in western Canada in the fall of 1872 when the Cree staged a surprise attack on the Blood encampment. The Blackfeet prevailed.

Mountain Horse was later nicknamed Jim Snake, or Rattlesnake Jim, because of his prowess in handling live rattlesnakes. He was one of the first on the reserve to send his children to school. Three of his sons served overseas during the First Great War, the youngest of which held a lieutenant’s commission and was killed in action.

Description: Pastel (2004) | Image Size: 16”h x 12”w; Framed Size: 27”h x 22 ½”w

Description: Pastel | Image Size: 30”h x 20”w; Framed Size: 41 ¾”h x 30 ¾”w

Chief Joseph, led his band of Nez Perce Indians, approximately 700 men, women and children, on an epic journey, over 1100 miles, in the late 19th century across Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming in an attempt to reach a safe haven in Canada while being pursued by the U.S. Army. Under some of the harshest conditions, the Nez Perce fought not only skillfully but their comportment earned them extensive admiration from their opponents as well as the public who followed the war coverage as reported in the newspapers.

Brown has drawn several portraits of the noted Chief and this is one of his most accomplished. Typically, Brown focuses his talents on capturing the essence of his subjects depicting strength, tenacity, accomplishment, pride and resiliency. The portrait is rich in details and the chief is shown with a full headdress, accompanying regalia, and the beadwork around the chief’s neck tightly frames the face while the pale background further stages that emphasis, which naturally is the focal point of the pastel.

Description: Pastel (2002) | Image Size: 31”h x 23”w; Framed Size: 42 1/8”h x 33 5/8”w

AKA John Hunter, Chief Sitting Eagle led the Stoney Nakoda First Nation of Alberta, Canada. He was born in 1874 and became so involved in the Calgary Stampede that he became a symbol of the event itself. In recognition, an 11’ statue of the Chief was unveiled in downtown Calgary in 1988 and still remains. Sitting Eagle died in 1970.

This large pastel portrait contains all the elements that Harley Brown is best known for. Sitting Eagle is looking straight at the viewer. He wears a full headdress of eagle feathers and beadwork. Pelts hang from the head dress framing the subject’s face. The chief’s chest is draped with decorative beads and a medallion. A blue background serves to further enhance the subject’s face. As important as the details of authentic dress and decoration are, Brown’s ability to capture his subject’s humanity, dignity and character are the true hallmarks of his artistry. The viewer engages this figure not as a mere picture, but as an encounter with a real person.

Two of Harley Brown’s amazing portraits, Chief Sitting Eagle and Chief Joseph, now grace the gallery entrance. We couldn’t be prouder!

Description: Charcoal (1979) | Image Size: 20”h x 16”w; 24.5”w x 29 ¾”h x 24 ½”w

Sitting Eagle (1874-1970) was a member and later a Chief of the Stoney Nakoda people of Alberta, Canada. He was renowned for his devotion to the traditional ways of his people, especially their ceremonies and often participated as a singer. Well versed in tribal history, legends and symbols, he too was highly regarded as an artist and craftsman of tipi design and painting. Tribal affairs and leadership, teaching Sunday school, ranching, participating in the annual Nakoda Banff Indian Days and the Calgary Stampede were among Sitting Eagle’s many other activities. Widely photographed because of his striking and most ideal features, he sometimes sat beside the Banff-Calgary Highway to be photographed by those who passed by. A bronze statue was sculpted and erected in downtown Calgary in his memory.

Description: Pastel | Image Size: 21 ½”h x 16”w; Framed Size: 30 ¾”h x 24 ¼”w

Description: Pastel | Image Size: 28”h x 22”w; Framed Size: 36 ½”h x 28 ½”w

Description: Pastel (2002) | Image Size: 15”w x 19”h; Framed Size: 25.5”w x 29”h