"Onondaga Artist Merit Award Winner"

OHSWEKEN - Not all the arts and crafts people left the reserve for the summer powwow trail this year. Some are still toiling away at home. Count Onondaga artist Arnold Jacobs among them.

A trip to Mr. Jacobs' Two Turtle Studio, on recently-paved Third Line, usually finds him tackling his latest project. A versatile artisan, a large body of his work consists of acrylics and silk screen prints.

His graphic arts abilities include magazine and logo design. When Turtle Quarterly Magazine collected two awards by the Native American Press Association last spring, Mr. Jacobs was largely responsible for its "Outstanding Typography and Design."

In June, he won a special merit award for one of his paintings entitled Great Pine Tree of Peace. The entry in the 17th Annual Trail of Tears juried art show at the Cherokee National Museum in Tahlequah, Okla., is a 24-by-36-inch acrylic. He and Vancouver wood sculptist Glen Wood, Tsimshian, became the first artists north of the imaginary line ever to win awards at this show.

Although the Two Turtle Studio mainly displays Mr. Jacobs' own original paintings and graphic artworks, it also displays selected stone and bone carvings. Established and emerging Six Nations artists such as Sam General, George Henry, Jerry Henry, Garfield Jonathan, Jerry Jonathan, Wayne Sky and Duffy Wilson are currently featured. Some carvings use alabaster mined from right under the reserve.

Mr. Jacobs has sold his culturally-rich work internationally. He believes that the heritage of his people should be a lasting tribute to the unborn generations. He portrays symbols of the earth and sky, the waters, the four winds, thunder and the sun. He strives for authenticity, accuracy and power in his images, as well as a unifying simplicity.

Themes in his work deal with core elements of ancient Iroquois life such as clans, wampum and spirits. Graphic techniques vary but he finds recent use of stencils create a unique texture and originality to his bold and dynamic images.

A particular favorite of mine is Sky Woman Descending Great Turtle Island. An acrylic and oil on masonite, the 48-by-32-inch painting depicts Sky Woman's descent to North America. The eight geese who accompany her take on a truly three-dimensional effect.

Carvings range from $25 to $250 and paintings vary in price, depending on size, type and subject. There's also a variety of handsome stationery art cards available for writing needs.

Except for Mondays and Tuesdays, Two Turtle Studio opens daily at 10 a.m. It offers a continual display of culturally-based art for your scrutiny.