KAREN CADE
1917 Bobby Drive
Milliken, CO 80543
karen@kcartworks.com
http://www.kcartworks.com/iron_will.html

"Animals are such wonderful and fascinating beings to me. When I began discovering my art talent as a little girl, they were my favorite subjects to draw. They still are today!"

After completing her art education at Cerritos College and Cal State Fullerton, Karen returned to Colorado with her husband Paul to surround herself in the grandeur of the Rockies to be closer to nature. She currently works in her studio at home, and frequently finds herself working on commissioned art pieces.

Karen's work has been accepted in many local and National Art Shows. Competition events, where Karen has placed, include the Greeley Stampede, Cheyenne Seven State Regional Art Competition and the Northern Colorado Artist Association All Member Show.

“Iron Will”
Life-sized Buffalo

It is estimated that over 75 million buffalo roamed the American plains in the early 1800's. With the expansion of the west by railroad, massive herds of buffalo, standing on tracks, were known to damage locomotives when trains failed to stop in time. Buffalo herds were so large, they would block and delay trains by days when taking shelter from harsh winters on railroad tracks that ran through hills and valleys. By the mid-1880s, buffalo were hunted, almost to extinction. In 1888 the buffalo herd of Buffalo Bill Cody, which only consisted of 18 head for his Wild West show, was the fourth largest in the nation. Near the same time, James "Scotty" Philip of South Dakota, had established a herd of over 1000. Between the two, most modern day buffalo in North America are descendants of Buffalo Bill Cody and James Scotty Philip's herds. Iron Will is a tribute to the two men who had the vision and the will to preserve this marvelous and grand animal; and a tribute to the buffalo, and it's iron will to live on.

SPONSORS: BEST WESTERN BUFFALO RIDGE INN, CUSTER SUPER 8, COMFORT INN & SUITES, and ECONO LODGE OF CUSTER

“Purple Mountain Majesty”
Free Form: Sculpture

This is a montage of wildlife from the area. Wildlife consists of buffalo, eagle, bighorn sheep, and antelope.

SPONSOR: TELCO FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

CORBIN CONROY
P.O. Box 481
Custer, SD 57730
corbinconroy@yahoo.com

Corbin is a member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe, Pine Ridge Reservation. He studied at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, NM. His artwork includes Best of Show at the Indian National Finals Rodeo and Art Market in Rapid City, SD. His work has been displayed in over a dozen galleries and shows throughout FL, WY, ND, and SD.

"Paints Himself Red"
Life-sized Buffalo

This design depicts the Bison Society as a circle of bison protecting the herd within a tipi. The Lakota Warrior Society is shown outside, around the tipi, protecting the family and the tribe. On the other side is a depiction honoring veterans/warriors and the buffalo culture. Bison protectors are all around the form.

SPONSORS: COLDWELL BANKER

CUSTER TITLE CO.

"Imprint" Free Form:
Painted Buffalo Skull

The red and white represents the people who were here when the buffalo were slaughtered. The blue with white represents distorted stars, disappearing because of polluted air. The economic culture of the Lakota people, centered on the buffalo, was destroyed to make way for the industrial revolution of the white culture. Diamond shapes represent feathers, the buffalo's connection to the Lakota people in his own mind/brain. Feathers on the right eye symbolize creativity. The buffalo doesn't recognize (see) the Lakota people anymore because of lifestyle changes. The people don't often honor the buffalo. The current economy of the Lakota has limited dependence on the buffalo …the spiritual connection is lost (weak) … the relationship is changed

SPONSOR: GOLDEN WEST TELECOMMUNICATIONS

NORA HUMPHREY
24949 America Center Rd.
Custer, SD 57730

Nora studied under the professional artists Marion Douglas and Joe Sonjaa in California. She has painted professionally and taught painting since 1965 while selling many items nationwide, including at Mount Rushmore.

TERRY REETZ
607 Clay St.
Custer, SD 57730

“Two Moons”
Life-Sized Buffalo Right

Nora honors the influential Cheyenne Chief Two Moons in leading his people. This vision exemplifies his spirit to his people, the American Indians, now and in the future.

“Buffalo Gap”
Life-Sized Buffalo Left

Terry’s vision depicts the expansion of the west via the railroad as it goes through Buffalo Gap. You can see the buffalo in the background, blocking the railroad. As development came to the western lands, this was a common sight to see a train delayed for long periods of time as large herds of buffalo crossed the railroad traces.

SPONSORS: PURPLE PIE PLACE
PAUL HORSTED PHOTOGRAPHY

SANDRA ACHTERLING
769 492nd Street West
Stanchfield, MN 55080
S_achterling@yahoo.com

A lifelong resident of Minnesota, Sandra Achterling began drawing farm animals at an early age under the guidance of her uncle, Tom. She went on to study at the College of Visual Arts in St. Paul, Minnesota. The opportunity to paint for the Custer Stampede Art Project fueled her dreams of buffalo and the American west; inspiring her to study, and paint North American Bison.

Sandra paints from her studio on wooded acreage in Chisago County. Woods, swamps and surrounding farm lands provide first hand experience to observe the native flora and fauna of Minnesota. To study bison, elk, and sheep in the wild, she travels to the Black Hills & Yellowstone. Her paintings express a passion for wildlife and love of nature. Sandra hopes her work will promote conservation and inspire others to value the natural world as well.

“The Gift”
Life-sized Buffalo

Sandra is focused on the timeless fulfillment of the physical and spiritual needs the bison gives us. One side shows a Native American horseman moving a bison herd through the French Creek area around an Indian encampment. The painting represents the role bison play in Native American culture. The other side shows a scene from the 2006 Custer State Park Roundup with buffalo and a horseman moving through the same area. Bison continue to revitalize our lives; "The Gift" means that spiritual and physical needs are gifts from the buffalo.

SPONSOR: ROCKET MOTEL

“ Bighorns”
Tabletop Buffalo

My design is a painting of the mountain sheep living in the Black Hills. The scene, using as models Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep introduced to the French Creek area, represents the return of the animals that once were abundant in the Black Hills and hunted by the Manitari Indians (Benzon).

SPONSORS: CARSON DRUG

CUSTER REGIONAL HOSPITAL

NANCY CAMBIER
12509 Hazelrodt Cutoff
Custer, SD 57730
smoky@gwtc.net

Nancy comes from a family of artists with both her grandfather and aunt being commercial artists. She took four years of art classes at Epsom Girls School in Auckland, New Zealand. She also worked at the University of Texas as a cartographer for 10 years.

“American Dream”
Life-sized Buffalo

This design shows one of our nation’s greatest dreams that came true, Mt. Rushmore. On the left side the bison are stampeding into the mountain before the monument was carved. The right side displays the native bison stampeding out of the mountain toward us. The dust from the stampede creates the faces of the Mt. Rushmore Monument.

SPONSOR: FIRST WESTERN BANK

SANDRA CUTSHALL
P. O. Box 6012
Custer, SD 57730

Sandra, a native of the Black Hills, South Dakota, attended college in Arizona and Iowa. She has exhibited artwork using several different mediums throughout the area as well as other states. Sandra moved back to reside in Custer three years ago.

“Black Elk’s Center of the Earth”
Life-sized Buffalo

Sandra’s focus is on the famous Ogalala Sioux Holy Man, Black Elk. An insightful leader of his time, he tried to bring peace between the two cultures.

This majestic white buffalo is robed in an undetailed map of the Black Elk Wilderness Area with the exception of “Black Elk’s Center of the Earth” Harney Peak. Throughout the buffalo are depictions of Black Elk’s Great Vision as described in BLACK ELK SPEAKS written by John G. Neihardt.

Two spirits came to earth and took Black Elk up into the clouds. A bay horse presented him with horses from the four directions, each of a different color, had manes of different things, and each presented their gifts. He was taken to a teepee made of clouds with a flaming rainbow door which had the six grandfathers with their infinite wisdom. Sandra highly recommends this book.

This buffalo is dedicated to the memory of Sandra’s brother, David Cutshall, and her stepfather, Carl Burgess.

SPONSORS: COLLEEN HENNESSY & JAMES FRANK

ILONA MCDILL and
SCOTT CAMERON
24730 Saginaw Road
Custer, SD 57730
tomani@gwtc.net

Ilona and her son Scott have both been artistically creative for many years. They have considerable art experience combined with a classical art education. Scott studied art at Southern Utah State University, and now lives in the Black Hills. He does carpentry, cabinetry, and creates custom train layouts for homes, gardens, and businesses. Ilona's Custer Stampede entries in 2006 were "All That Glitters" (tabletop buffalo) and "Legend" (life-sized buffalo).

“The Taming of the West”
Life-Sized Buffalo

We wish to express how the coming of the railroad affected the native people… the land… and the wild animals, specifically the bison. Our buffalo seems to be rising from the earth to form a mountain. A working steam engine pulling logging cars travels through a rocky tunnel cut in the mountain and continues on over high trestles. Rusty, metal-looking panels covering the rear of the animal represent the advance of the Industrial Age and the changes that are coming…

SPONSORS: THE REAL ESTATE CENTER OF CUSTER
RON BRADEEN

ILONA MCDILL
24730 Saginaw Road
Custer, SD 57730
tomani@gwtc.net

“Just a Dream”
Tabletop Buffalo

His image appears in the night… elusive … mystical.
Could it be the legendary white one bringing the promise of good fortune?
The dream-catcher beckons… and allows him to slip through…
And as you awake… you wonder… was he really here?

SPONSOR: DESTINATION BLACK HILLS

DONALD F. MONTILEAUX
1317 West Boulevard
Rapid City, SD 57701
montileaux@rushmore.com

Video Interview with Don Montileaux

Born in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, he is an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe.
In 1995 the Space Shuttle Endeavor carried “Looking Beyond One’s Self” in the payload as it orbited the Earth. Montileaux’s tribute to the American Indian way of life was formally accepted by the Smithsonian Institution for the National Museum of the American Indian permanent collection in 2007. He has won numerous awards in nationally acclaimed art shows and toured Germany and Spain lecturing audiences on traditional Lakota designs. The awards that he prizes most were First Place and Best of Division at the Santa Fe Indian Market in 2006.

“Four Directions”
Life-Sized Buffalo

To the West - the color Black and the Thunderbird. To the North - the color Red and the Buffalo. To the East - the color Yellow and the Elk. To the South - the color White and the Eagle. The colors may be placed differently by spiritual leaders, but this is what I was taught. The red trade cloth that runs from head to tail is the True Road of a good person, the black trade cloth represents the wrong road which many travel, but we all may find the Red Road at any time. The red and blue horsehair represent Father Sky and Mother Earth. The buffalo is symbolic of the Lakota way of life and beliefs.

SPONSORS: KORCZAK'S HERITAGE AT CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL
CUSTER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

JERRY JESSEN
1108 9th Street
Rapid City, SD 57701
jessen@rushmore.com

Jerry has been an art educator for over 40 years, having experimented with almost every type of medium that is available. Over the years, he has exhibited in California, Washington, Hawaii, as well as South Dakota. He prefers to work 3-dimensionally, doing mixed media pieces or hand-building in clay.

“Boxwork Bison”
Tabletop Buffalo

I have always been fascinated with the fragility of a unique formation found almost exclusively at Wind Cave in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It is called “boxwork.” The lines and shapes that form partitions are extremely delicate. A calciferous formation is made by water slowly seeping through cracks in the ceiling. The boxwork creates a natural phenomenon that is exquisite and beautiful.

In contrast, the North American Bison which roams above the surface is a beast that is rugged and independent. Yet that durable and resilient mammal almost became extinct. Because of the interference of mankind it became an endangered species, truly a state of fragility.

As humans, we must be careful how we deal with our surroundings, our environment, whether it be living or non-living matter. It is our duty and responsibility to be good stewards of the land. To remind us of this important concept, a boxwork design of paint and mixed-media was produced on the surface of a small fiberglass bison.

SPONSOR: HIGHMARK FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

BETTY CZARNEK
1020 Paul Street
St. Paul, NE 68873
unk72@yahoo.com

Painted on the back of the buffalo is a buffalo skull. The symbolism shows the relationship between the religious aspects and the worldly aspects of Native American beliefs. Many Native Americans believe that if a holy man sees a buffalo in his visions, he would thereafter be able to communicate with the Great Spirit through the buffalo. Part of the ceremony may include the skull of the buffalo.

"Holy Man's Vision"
Tabletop buffalo

Betty has had a love of art since childhood. She studied art at the University of Nebraska-Kearney, earning a B.A. in Art Education. As a teacher, she has taught oil painting, watercolors, drawing, and calligraphy. This is Betty's second year of artistry with the Custer Stampede. Last year's entry was titled "Medicine Wheel".

SPONSOR: GOLD CAMP HOME & TIMBER SUPPLY

CUSTER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Custer, SD

“Night and Day”

Tabletop Buffalo

Susan Hulinsky, Art Teacher for Custer High School, coordinated this group project. Her students submitted 45 designs and voted to select the “Final 4”. The combined effort of the design and production took several weeks from concept to the finished work of art. Students for the “Final 4” were:

The outstanding artwork was painted by:

This fabulous buffalo created by the students of Custer High School will graze at the home of the winning ticket for the August Raffle. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5 and can be purchased through August 31 at Azukibean, Best Western Buffalo Ridge, Carson Drug, Custer Country Market, Elk Canyon Downtown Pub & Grill, First Western Bank, Highmark Federal Credit Union, Purple Pie Place, Reader’s Retreat Book Store, Rocket Motel, Songbird Café & Gallery, and Surroundings.

TRICIA BAUMANN
24844 Kiddville Drive
Custer, SD 57730

Tricia began the art of Free Hand Scrimshaw in 1989. Scrimshaw, the oldest known American Art Form, began with the Eskimos and Whalers. In 1991 the artist adopted scrimshaw as a full-time professional occupation, marketing her work in stores from South Dakota to Japan. She grew up in Custer and received a BS Degree in Mathematics and Biology from Black Hills College. She has no formal training in the arts.

The art of scrimshaw is painstakingly detailed and normally small. This 3” x 6” piece of flat polished Corian is encased in a shadow box made of antique barn boards (9” x 12”). The subject is a bison amidst a pack of three wolves. The piece is etched with a sharp, hand-held, non-mechanical tool by a traditional free-form method without the use of a pattern.

SPONSOR: FRONTIER PHOTO/T-SHIRT/BIKE RENTALS

KAREN HENNECK
3841 Cynthia Drive
Casper, WY 82609

Karen has won numerous national and regional awards for her paintings including Best of Show, Arts for the Parks finalist, and Pastel Journal Magazine finalist. She has been invited to the Governor's (Wyoming) Juried Show and had her paintings purchased for the Wyoming State Capitol, Governor's office, and Legislative offices. Karen's work can be seen in homes, galleries and offices throughout the Rocky Mountains. Love of color, light, and shadows captured provide the inspiration for Karen's art.

“A Mother’s Kiss”
Free Form: Acrylic Painting

Most paintings show a masculine side of buffalo life. Karen shows a more tender side of the buffalo in her painting. It depicts a mother cow licking her new baby’s cheek.

SPONSOR: CUSTER TRUE VALUE

JILL CLAIRE
495 Little Creek Road
Harmony, PA 16037
longrun@nauticom.net

In the Long Run, Jill’s business since 1983, provides a venue for her art. She is inspired by her love of animals, especially horses and bison. She is an accomplished scrimshander, leather designer, and portrait artist. In 2006 she created the art for the 2006 International Arabian Horse Association’s Scottsdale and National Shows. Pursuing the fine arts, sculpting Spirit Horse Medicine bags, and riding fill her life.

“I Wasn’t Looking”
Free Form: Painting

“Easier with Him”
Free Form: Painting

The buffalo runners indicate the relationship between bison, horse, and human. Anyone having been mounted on a horse riding through bison understands the value of such an equine.

SPONSORS: ROCK CREST LODGE/CABINS

AZUKIBEAN
SURROUNDINGS

MARK & BODELL BEIDECK
710 Perry Street
Culbertson, NE 69024
www.Bo-MacInc.com

This husband and wife team designs and produces art in steel. These lifetime residents of southwest Nebraska have very little in the way of traditional art instruction. However, their years of working with steel have given them the foundation for this artistic medium. They donated a steel cross to the oldest church in Santa Fe, NM, in the spring of 2006.

“Vision in an Arrow”
Free Form: Sculpture

Within the shape of the arrowhead are a bison surrounded by hoof prints, illustrating the power and strength of the bison. These shy and timid animals can become a ground-pounding steamroller in an instant. The design shows both the bison’s strength and the Native American use of the flint napped arrowhead to control and harvest the bison.

SPONSORS: 1881 COURTHOUSE MUSEUM
STEELE COLLISION

BONNIE HARTPENCE
610 French Creek Drive
Custer, SD 57730

Bonnie comes from a family all involved in art. Her parents and nine siblings are either professional or amateur artists. Classically trained in fine art, her pieces go all over the world, but, it wasn't until the 2005 Custer Stampede that Bonne became noticed in her hometown of the last 30 years, Custer. As art has played an important part in her life, she is delighted to share in this great public art experience.

"Buffalo Steaks"
Free Form: sculpture

Here is a 3-dimensional wood design. The wood is similar to survey stakes to complete a minimal bison. Stakes have been applied to the flat vertical base with space between so the complete buffalo is seen as the viewer walks past. Bonnie's play on words highlights one of the things she likes best about buffalo - the steaks.

SPONSOR: CUSTER COUNTRY MARKET

CHIP LIBEL
2360 37th Street
Mandan, ND 58554

Chip started fine arts and leatherworks in grade school. She went on to get a commercial arts degree and then completed a 12-month course in saddle making from Oklahoma State University. Since then, she has won numerous first place and people's choice awards including Best in Class, Best Division, and Best of Show at the International Leather Guild shows. Chip and her brother are proprietors of Interstate Western Works (701.663.1799) in Mandan, North Dakota where your appetite for the well done leathers is satiated.

"Buffalo Skull Shield"
Free Form: Leatherwork

The buffalo skull shield is created on leather with decorative buffalo fur and feathers.

"Buffalo Skull Shield"
Free Form: Leatherwork

This is an attractively framed art piece created on leather, depicting a white buffalo.

SPONSOR: READERS' RETREAT BOOK STORE

PEG FREITAG
25321 U.S. Highway 385
Custer, SD 57730
buffeathers@yahoo.com

Peg is a self-taught artist with a special interest in detail, natural materials, texture, and color. She has sketched or painted in one medium or another since childhood. Her framed feathers have received awards from Juried Art Shows and her art work has gone to homes throughout the U.S., England and Germany.

“Before Fences”
Free Form: Painted Feather

This artwork features a buffalo scene on Simulated Immature Golden Eagle Feather with genuine buffalo wool embellishment. Handmade medicine bag and painting on antler slice accent.

This creation is a unique, one of a kind, shadow box wall accent that houses Peg’s painted feathers. Peg comments, “There has always been something about feathers for me. The shape, patterns, colors, and delicacy mixed with strength and resilience have always drawn me.”

SPONSORS: KETEL THORSTENSON
CUSTER SENIOR CENTER

SONJA HUFF
404 N. Huber
Casper, WY 82609

A native of Wyoming, Sonja has an Associates Degree in Fine Arts. Over the years, she has developed her own style working primarily in pastel, but also acrylic, and oil. Doing faces in an unusual way, using bright and exciting colors, provides her the greatest joy. This is the third year Sonja has had an entry in the Custer Stampede.

“Impetuous Pigments”
Free Form: Painting

This is an original work of art in pastel. Sonja loves to do people in bright, vibrant colors so thought a buffalo head would provide the same opportunity. The subject did not disappoint as it became an exciting portrait of a magnificent animal.

SPONSOR: CENTURY 21 – STATEWIDE REALTY

AIMEE & MARGARET SINK
272 Cedarwood Drive
Lexington, NC 27292
rsink20@triad.rr.com

Margaret and her daughter Aimee worked together to create this painting. Margaret was an artist for the 2006 Custer Stampede, and has participated in several community art displays in Maine and her home state of North Carolina. She has also painted murals in local restaurants and private homes.

Aimee has won several awards for her artwork, including nine blue ribbons at last year’s Davidson County Fair. She loves drawing animals and at this time has her eye set on attending the Veterinary School at North Carolina State University.

"Pieces II"
Free Form: Painting

This painting is intricately pieced quilt with a faint image of a buffalo or two. The pieces of painted fabric are intertwined with South Dakota scenes, much like the original "Pieces" buffalo form. This art piece shows the beauty and scenic landscapes of South Dakota.

SPONSORS: CUSTER STATE PARK RESORTS

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