Ralph P. Has Been 'Expert Of The Week!'
About Ralph P.'s Work:
How/Why did you choose your particular field?
I entered the field of writing as an extension of the art and public speaking that I do. I wanted to help people better understand the symbology and message in my art and writing seemed a good way to do that.
As a pipe carrier and story teller, I am charged with the duty of serving the people and passing on the things I have learned. Writing allows me to reach people, not just locally or regionally, but globally.
I was born into this way of life and have been blessed with many teachers who have shared their knowledge freely. This was a gift that is meant to be passed on and I give it in the way it was given to me.
Was there someone (in particular) who inspired you into it?
I don’t have to look far for inspiration. I am inspired by different people in different ways.
- For instance, for depth and breadth of knowledge, I think of Oren Lyons who is an Onondaga Faith Keeper. He is a wellspring of cultural knowledge and how this applies to not only Indian people, but the whole world.
- There is an Omaha Indian, Frank Lamere, who taught me that you could scream with a whisper and that there is force in humility. Frank is a true wordsmith who can use words in a way few can.
- More inspiration and a wonderful example of overcoming obstacles comes from Chanda Hinton, a young lady who, through an accident became quadriplegic at age 8 who is using her tragedy not as an excuse for laying down, but as a reason to rise up. I am so inspired by her that I give 5% of all art sales to her organization www.TheChandaPlanFoundation.org, an organization that helps those with spinal cord injuries find and afford alternative medical treatments.
There is inspiration all around, you just have to look.
What is your 'Grand Vision' for your work, and where will it lead you?
My ancestors had a world view that involved making brothers and sisters out of everyone with the goal being a world that is of one heart and one mind. Each person would be in balance spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally. I think to do this that people must be aware of what is possible. We must educate as to life’s purpose and our reason for being on this earth and then empower them to make higher choices. Whether through art, writing or speaking, I work with that goal in mind.
Tell us a bit more about your website and your vision for its future?
The Mirrored Windows website is a way to get my art, stories and ideas out there so people can see them. I want it to be thought-provoking, inspiring and informative while adding beauty to their homes and lives.
What advice would you give an aspiring Holistic Practitioner?
Seek the untrapped mind. This comes from my favorite quote from Konosuke Matsushita. He said, "The untrapped mind is open enough to see the many possibilities, humble enough to learn from anyone and anything, forbearing enough to forgive all, perceptive enough to see things as they really are, and reasonable enough to judge their true value." Those are words to live by.
About Ralph P. The Person:
What makes you laugh?
Comedies, kids and baby animals
What makes you sad?
Deliberate indifference to life’s problems and willful ignorance to their solutions. One example of this would be big oil. These huge companies are aware of the problems they create and the negative effect on the environment. They have the money and resources to pursue “cleaner” forms of energy yet they persist and continue down the same destructive path. That is sad.
What do you like to do when you aren't working?
When I’m not working I can be found behind my drums. Drums are my passion. It is said that when you re truly living in the moment that time has no meaning. When I am playing there is only the music and there must be something to the "time has no meaning" thing because drums have kept me young. Okay, at least I don’t feel my age when I play!
I play a few different styles of music but I am happiest when I am playing extreme metal and laying down double bass beats at light speed! Musicians will be able to relate.
Tell us some more about YOU?
I was born in 1958 on the St. Regis Indian reservation in upstate New York. I am a Mohawk Indian, but I have been blessed to live with many different Indian tribes and taught by many Medicine People.
As a child I always liked to draw but it wasn’t until around 1977 that I started experimenting with the stipple style that is my trademark today. It fit in perfectly with my beliefs about the Universe which is that everything in it is made up of particles – dots! In honor of this I began to use dots exclusively when I draw.
I know that while the symbols I use may be common to Indian people they are not as familiar to others. To help with this I began writing little stories about the art. The written message enhances the viewer’s experience of my work and often the underlying message or teaching is just as beautiful, if not more so, than the art alone.
As I wrote and told the stories I had been given – sharing with people my understanding of Indian culture, especially as it relates to the Medicine Wheel, I received numerous requests to put these into a book. Out of this came "Awakening the Eagle: A Guide to the Medicine Wheel".
This book explains what the Medicine Wheel is and how it is used. Then I wanted to give the lessons learned with the Medicine Wheel a modern day relevance and help people learn to use it in a way that they get the most from this journey we call life, so I wrote a second book, 13 Virtues to a New Lie: A Journey Around the Medicine Wheel which I understand will be out by the holidays this year.
Speaking, writing and drawing are the main components to sharing what I have with people. Mirrored Windows is the primary vehicle for letting people know what I have to offer. Together with my wife, Anita, we work to keep the website going. We also do art shows and exhibitions all over the country. We are both public speakers and long-time members of Toastmasters International. We know the importance of being effective communicators and our communication, whether through art, speaking or the written word, is our effort to” heal” the Sacred Hoop of which everyone is a part.
Another thing that is very important to us is giving back. We are involved with many charities and charitable organizations, giving not only money but time and services. Often times it is not what you give but rather the manner in which you give it. Some of the organizations we support, like the Chanda Plan, are dear to our hearts and it is an honor to serve them.
Describing myself is like describing a destination that has yet to be reached. I’m still working on it. I call myself a student of life and a servant to the people but I know that on the day of our death it is not what we say about our self that people will remember… it is the effect we had on the lives of others. May that always be positive!
