Distinctly Montana Magazine

W W W. D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA NA . C O M 37 YOU BEGAN AS A SELF-TAUGHT ARTIST BEFORE RECEIVING FORMAL TRAINING. CAN YOU DESCRIBE HOW YOUR ART HAS EVOLVED OVER THESE MANY YEARS? I have to give the credit to the Institute of American Indian Arts. ey gave me the foundation and classical training of painting; the drawing, perspective elements, mixing of pigments, and the use of the various brushes etc. that as a boy I did not even know about. We studied with professional artists from various big cities, like James McGraph, Lloyd Kiva New, and Alan Houser. I was in art school as a young high school student. Over the past 50 years, my art has been a gradual and steady evolution of technique, color, form and intensity of emotion, a maturity of life experience. THE CROW PEOPLE ARE CENTRAL TO YOUR IDENTITY AND SUCCESS AS AN ARTIST. IS IT FAIR TO SAY THAT YOU ARE BOTH TELLING THEIR STORY AND CREATING A LEGACY FOR ALL NATIVE AMERICANS? Yes, that is the essence of my art and conveys the view of my Crow heritage and that of other Native American people. I could only hope that it be considered a legacy of worthiness and an identity of goodness and pride. KEVIN RED STAR'S art is honored through- out Native America for its vision of centuries-old Crow (Apsaalooka) culture through the eyes of a contemporary consciousness. In the world of museums and private collec- tions, he is equally respected for his unique imagery, for his productivity, and for the enduring value of his work. Kevin Red Star grew up on the Crow reservation in southern Montana, a member of a highly creative family. He was known as the go-to artist for all school projects. He was chosen to be in the first group of students at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe in the late 60s.The school provided a learning environment of tribal tradition, world art history, and current trends. Open studios, well stocked with sup- plies, encouraged individual experimenta- tion and collaboration. Kevin and his friends went on to the San Francisco Art Institute before embarking on their careers. They attracted immediate notice in New York and Paris, as well as established art centers throughout the United States. They went on to change the face of modern Indian art. Kevin continues to evolve and refine his art every day in his spacious studio, located near the Crow reservation and Red Lodge, Mon- tana. He also spends time in Santa Fe. He has received many major accolades and honors. KEVIN RED STAR STUDIOS 19th South 1st Street Roberts, MT 59070 Studio: (406) 445-2549 Cell: (406) 425-0055 Website: www.kevinredstar.com RED STAR: THE ART OF kevin a Tribal legacy | "Bear Medicine's Victory Dance" Acrylic on Canvas 60h x 48w "Crow Indian War Chiefs" Acrylic on Canvas 60h x 48w

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