|
John Isaiah Pepion, an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Nation, was born in Kalispell, Montana. As a child he produced pencil drawings of mountains and tipis. His grandfather Daniel "Webb" Pepion, Sr. was the first person to help mentor his drawing techniques and inspire his art. While he was in 7th grade at Browning Middle School in Browning, Montana, he was chosen to work with highly regarded Blackfeet artist Ernie Pepion, who became a major influence throughout his life. During this time, John learned to incorporate humor in his art and work with acrylic paint. John was later selected to work with nationally recognized Blackfeet artist Terrance Guardipee. During this time he learned to mix acrylic paint, stretch his own canvas, and increase his commitment to art.
As the public's interest in John's art grew, so did his interest in following in his family's footsteps. His Uncle Daniel Pepion, Jr., two aunts, and several other family members, had attended the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, New Mexico. While a freshman at Two Eagle River High School in Pablo, Montana, he was a member of a small group of talented students that were selected to visit the IAIA. That same year the Oscar Howe Art Institute, Brookings, South Dakota, offered to enroll him in their program.
While John's education path initially took a different turn, in 2002 he earned his GED from the Kicking Horse Job Corps in Ronan, Montana. Thereafter, he attended United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, North Dakota, where he received his Associate of Arts degree in Art Marketing in 2004. John started painting with watercolors in the Plains Indian ledger style in 2005. John went on to graduate from the IAIA with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Museum Studies in 2008. The following year, he acquired 1800's ledger paper and began applying the ledger style he developed with ink and color pencils. Today John is an up and coming contemporary ledger artist. He begins each piece by illustrating ideas stemming from his personal life and cultural history. He also likes to incorporate the colorful designs of the Blackfeet. John is pursuing his artistic dream of becoming a professional artist.
After the exhibit closes, please contact John Isaiah Pepion at Mr_Johnny_P@yahoo.com.
The Museum of the Plains Indian is managed by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Arts and Crafts Board. For hours of operation call the museum at (406) 338-2230.
Buffalo Hunt
8 5/16" x 13 11/16"
Ink and Pencil on Antique Ledger Paper © 2011
Four Sisters
10 5/16" x 15 11/16"
Ink and Pencil on Antique Ledger Paper © 2011
Dragonfly Haven
13 11/16" x 8 5/16"
Ink and Pencil on Antique Ledger Paper © 2011
Blackfeet Women's Warbonnet Society
8 5/16" x 13 11/16"
Ink and Pencil on Antique Ledger Paper © 2011
|
Wolf Trail
8 5/16" x 13 11/16"
Ink and Pencil on Antique Ledger Paper © 2011
Fearless Warrior
5 3/8" x 13"
Ink and Pencil on Antique Ledger Paper © 2011
Blackfeet Medicine Lodges (White Buffalo)
10 5/16" x 16 11/16"
Ink and Pencil on Antique Ledger Paper © 2011
Blackfeet Medicine Lodges (Yellow Buffalo)
10 5/16" x 16 11/16"
Ink and Pencil on Antique Ledger Paper © 2011
|
