December 20, 2016

2910 UNITED STATES - Grandfather Earth


"Native Americans have always believed that the earth beneath their feet was sacred. Every river, canyon and forest was evidence to them that He, Creator was near. The ideas that they were stewards of creation was etched in their bones. To take and never give back to the earth as to show distain for the Great Spirit. The lives lived by the first nations people was done so by a code of honor. This was portrayed by the way a tribe would revere their elders and chieftains. The consummation of the experiences, wisdom and insight of the old ones was a deep well in which to draw from.

All the people profoundly benefited from this symbiotic relationship. It is ingrained in tribal peoples to carefully study all the nuances of creation. From weather patterns to the migration of birds and animals, Native Americans learned to live in harmony with the land. So it is very natural for them to have a deep respect for the land because it provided for their physical needs as well as taught them spiritual principles. The current of reverence that flowed across a thousand generations still reaches the people of Grandfather Earth today."

The above quote is actually the presentation of the painting Grandfather Earth, reproduced in postcard, taken from the website of the author, David Behrens. He is a nationally acclaimed artist whose sensitivity and insight into Native American culture and history have placed him in the forefront of this growing art movement. The characters from the top half of the painting represents five of the tribes which live in the Grand Canyon (Navajo, Havasupai, Hualapai, Kaibab-Paiute, and Hopi), represented also in the bottom half.

About the stamps
About the stamp which pays tribute to the majestic emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri), I wrote here.


The second stamp, depicting the Nativity scene, was issued on November 03, 2016. Art Director/Designer: Greg Breeding, Nancy Stahl.


The last stamp, featuring the Florentine Madonna and Child, from a 15th-century tempera-on-panel painting in the Widener Collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, was issued on October 18, 2016. Designer: William J. Gicker.

References
David Behrens Gallery - Official website

Sender: Denise 
Sent from Greenvale (New York / United States), on 05.12.2016
A painting by David Behrens

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