"Monte Yellow Bird Sr., better known in the art world as Black Pinto Horse, is devoted to a positive expression of the harmonic balance between humanity and nature. Through his art and teaching, he offers us a multitude of gifts, and his optimism shines in his motto: "We are on this earth for such a short time, if we're going to shine, shine brightly". Rife with symbolism, Black Pinto Horse's visual expressions honor his spiritual roots, First Nation heritage and Modern and Contemporary art traditions through a bold use of color and design that activates the viewer's imagination. He is motivated by a passionate desire to build connections between the past and present with a hopeful eye toward a brighter future built around empathy and understanding between diverse communities of which the nation is comprised."
- Bob Durden, Paris Gibson Square Museum
|
Sunrise Blanket II, Design by Black Pinto Horse |
|
Featured book cover for “Indigenous Social Work Around the World,” edited by Mel Gray, John Coates and Michael Yellow Bird.
Sunrise Blanket II was designed to represent a rebirth of life for all nations of the world. The sunrise is seen “as a universally important cultural and spiritual phenomenon in most Indigenous cultures throughout the world. It signals new beginnings, new life, new opportunities, and change”.
|
Newest Ledger Works |
Help Me to Lead the Others, 10" x 16", colored pencil on Levy of Real Estate, St. Louis MO cir.1800's
|

Chief of the Seventh Star,
13" x 8", colored pencil on General Store Wareheim MA, cir.1805
|

Blue Bird Serenade, 10" x 13", colored pencil on Beethoven's
Polonaise, Three De La Serenade op 8 transcribed for Piano, Paris France cir.1872 |
|
Winter Art Auctions, MT |
Yellowstone Art Museum,
Billings
March 6 , 2010

Holy Dog II, 48" x 36", Oil and Acrylic on Canvas with horsehair
|
Paris Gibson Square Museum, Great Falls
February 6, 2010
Four Bears, War Medicine,
17" x 13", colored pencil on antique ledger paper, 1928 cir., currently no picture
Cordial Companions, 10.5" x 9", Watercolor, Emily Yellow Bird |
Missoula Art Museum, Missoula
February 27, 2010

Flowers for Grandma, 17" x 13", colored pencil on antique ledger, 1928 cir.
|
Make Inquiries with Kim @ 406.256.6804
|
Make Inquiries with John @ 406.728.0447
|
|
|
|
|
Winter Educational Programs, Artist in Residence |
Students accept shield by Black Pinto Horse for its display in their new school. |
Chief Joseph Middle School and Bridger Alternative |
Emily shares her heritage |
| |
Warrior Shields
|
|
Mud Ponies |
|
Memorial of the High Plains, North Dakota State University Commission, Unveiling Commemoration, Fargo ND, November 19, 2009 |
|
|

Martha Olsen, Executive Director of The Arts Partnership and Brad Schlossman, CEO of West Acres Mall, grace the event with their knowledge of public art; a star-studded cast.
|
|
|
Left: Black Pinto Horse Fine Arts standing with Esther Hockett, curator of the Memorial Union Gallery- a wonderful partner in a successful project.
Right: Burning the midnight oil |

|
|
Black Pinto Horse, A Vision of Color and Tradition, Memorial Union Gallery, Fargo ND
November- December |

As he shares his gift of art with students from area schools, Black Pinto Horse includes historical and traditional stories which captivate.
|
Artist Reception Presentation |
|
Educational Program, Ledger Art, 7 -8 grades, Twin Buttes ND, November 17 |
Young artists eager to hear the message.... |

top: Principle, Mr. Dahlen accepting our gift to the school |
....and share their own. |
|
MEA, Montana Educators Conference, Billings MT, October 15, 2009 |

Monte had the teachers working hard during their day of workshops. What beautiful stories they shared- ledger art.
|

Monte provided 2 ledger art workshops and a keynote
|
|
|
Cherokee Art Market , Hard Rock Casino, Tulsa OK, October 10-11, 2009 |
|
|
"Goes Ahead, Crow Pony", continues to gain recognition during the Juried shows. Winning second place, one of the judges shared the following, "It stood out as we judged the paintings at the Cherokee Art Market."
|
|
|
Harvest Moon Ball, East Glacier MT, September 26, 2009 |
|
Held at the nostalgic Glacier Lodge, the backdrop was equally as beautiful.

Middle: In addition to being a contributing artist, Black Pinto Horse was this year's emcee for the Harvest Moon Ball |

Demonstrating a warm-up exercise of the bidding technique.
|
An estimated $35,000 in art sales, destined to add to the Blackfeet Community Foundation's endowment.

Black Pinto Horse with the Blackfeet Community Foundation Executive Director and community developer, Eloise Cobell.
|

Mary and Rusty continue to collect some of Black Pinto Horse's chosen favorites, such as "From the Center is Where Life Comes".
|

Red Earth Ponies, highest selling piece of the evening, purchased by continued collector, Monti |
|
|
|
|
|