About Us - Shawl Lady dot Com

Welcome to my workshop. I am certified Native American artisan of Cree/Iroquois heritage. I have been art-crafting and writing intensively for the past 30+ years. My family and I now reside in the lush Pacific Northwest since around 1994.

Born in the northeastern woodlands of the U.S. and Canadian border in the 1940's is where my spirit was exposed to a rich and varied environment. This precious experience influences my artwork today. Life has been a circular journey for all of us. We travel through dark canvases and eventually to open skies. We always return back to the beginning in the end, a review.

My art works may be found in museum, corporate and private collections throughout the U.S., Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Japan. 2007 winner of the Eiteljorg purchase award, 2008 first place winner in textiles at the annual Indian Market and 2009 Best in Show at the In the Spirit Contemporary Art Exhibit.

Exhibitions & Awards >> MORE

ABOUT shawls and wearing blankets

The beautiful shawls and wearing blankets you are viewing today are a culmination of dreams, memories, cultural history, and stories from the "Olde Tyme" shared by relatives, friends and acquaintances throughout my years during this earth walk. Each shawl pattern, imagery and color are a mix of the ancient, modern and often the names of the wearer. Each color has a story and meaning, every animal depicts a mission to help mankind, and the shawl itself is a gesture of respect to the Creator, drum, dancers and prayer.

All shawls and wearing blankets are made from the finest materials available: rich 100% wools (polyester is available upon request for those who are "wool sensitive"), colorful satins and fabrics. The fringing is all hand cut and knotted one-at-a-time in approximately 16-18" lengths.

ABOUT ORIGINALS AND PRINTS

Many people wonder: "Chholing, why don't the people in your paintings have faces detailed on them?" I leave a blank canvas within a finished painting, the face, so whomever views these experiences will have a place to stand within the image. I don't want any preconceived notions, confusion or likeness to distract from a deep sharing of my heart's vision.

Each painting depicts an inner transformation. These stories are from dialogs with my Aunties, other relations, and friends who braved the journey to discover ones self. Often it was a healing of sorts, a confrontation with spirits, and self realization, or the peace of collecting medicine.

I invite you to come along with me and lets walk slowly together along the road towards home.

The intimate experience of an internal dialog will bridge time and space for human beings and all living matter. All work produced is to invoke a universal living experience to encourage, bring hope, inspire and touch the child sleeping within all of us. It is my wish to bring a sense of wonder, common bonds and excitement between the audience, and myself through narrative the experience we will share.

An experience of symbols, emotions, confrontations, Life & Death and beyond.

Chholing P. Taha
Artist

Many thanks go to all the people who pray for all of us, the earth, wind and sky, for their encouragement and inspiration to keep a'going is priceless.

Shawl Lady dot Com - PO Box 112103 Tacoma WA 98411-2103 - Voice: 253.472.6707
© Chholing Taha & Shawl Lady dot Com - do not duplicate or reproduce in any form