For artist Jessica Gokey, beadwork is more than just a hobby; it is a cultivated practice inspired by nature that celebrates her Ojibwe heritage. Her process begins with substantial research and transitions to sketching and drawing her subject on a pad and sketch-and-tear paper. She then layers the wool or felt base with a stabilizing material to hold it in place while beading and composing her subject. A master Ojibwe bead artist from the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe near Hayward, Wisconsin, Gokey is committed to preserving traditional Native American beadwork. After a six-month fellowship at the Minnesota Historical Society, Saint Paul, she began teaching classes and workshops to help ensure the art form’s legacy.
Source: Midwest Home
Website
http://www.jessicaleighgokey.com
