Moccasin Mender

Buckskin and elk or sometimes moose hide was used to make the traditional footwear of the eastern woodland indian. The soft-soled moccasins of the eighteenth century were light weight, flexible and most importantly made from readily available materials. Slight variations in moccasin style and decoration existed between the various indian nations, but generally they were well fitted with a puckered center seam running up the front and a small plain seam up the back. Cuffs were incorporated into the general construction and could be tied around the ankle with leather thongs for protection, or folded down if desired. They were lined with rabbit or muskrat fur and sometimes grass in winter.

Moccasin making and especially moccasin repair was a very important craft. When traveling, the warriors always took repair materials with them. On trips, duties such as hunting, cooking and moccasin repairing were usually divided between the men depending upon their individual skills.

The highly detailed painting entitled "Moccasin Mender" has been reproduced as a very limited edition, archival quality, giclee canvas print of only ten individually signed and numbered reproductions.

The giclee process, especially in small quantities, is an extremely costly endeavor, however, it allows the collector to obtain a superior quality, lasting work of art which can be displayed without the need of protective matting or glass.