SKIP RAINS, a Native of the Northern California's Hupa Reservation, channels his talents to the Four Directions of the Wind. Painting since he was eleven years old, his first teacher, Hattie Skinner, a Hupa Basket Weaver, encouraged and taught Skip to discover the beauty of the rocks and soil of Mother Earth.
Essentially a self-taught Artist, Skip's interests have ranged from Commercial Cartoon Art at age 11, to Air-Brushing on T-shirts, car designs and caricatures. He was then known as the 'Mad Striper.' In Ukiah, Ca., and also at the Autorama Show in Los Angeles, whereby he established himself as a Professional Artist.
In High School, Skip was encouraged to try his talent at the Finer Arts by being commissioned by one of the local Historical Hotels in Ukiah to paint a Picture of the Palace Hotel as it had appeared in the 1880's. This prompted his interest in History from having to do research as changes had already been made to the original building. Skip has worked in several different Mediums, mainly Acrylic with oil washes.
After High School Skip entered the military. Serving with the First Marine Division in Korea, he would sketch events in Cartoon form creating a lighter side of Military Combat and service. After his discharge Skip attended Santa Rosa Junior College in Santa Rosa, Ca., and finished his college education at the University of California, in Berkley, majoring in Visual Arts Media.
Skip's studies in Visual Arts came in handy after joining the Napa City Fire Fighters creating Training Manuals and Videos. Around this same period of time Skip delved more deeply into the Study of the Native American Artists; how they obtained the colors used in their work, the Styles and Designs of the different Tribes throughout America. Painting in the style of the old Artisans, gathering the rocks, grasses, sand, and even excrements from the birds; using pigment paint binders from hide scraping and cactus juice to refine the paint; and with the use of Sticks, Bone, small branches to apply the paint to the Buffalo Robes that he uses as his canvas, Skip has mastered the old way of Native Art used by the Elders, remembering his Teacher, Hattie Skinner, and her lessons to observe and discover.
After a two year Hiatus, Skip returned to the Art World, but this time he wanted to communicate his love and involvement with Aviation. His paintings of Aviation, Ships and Trains do not portray the sleek, just off the assembly-line machines so often seen. A Study of continuous use or misuse on metal, paint and men add to the realism of his art. Veterans and military personnel often comment on the battered engine cowlings, oil splattered fuselages, replaced body sections and chipped paint depicted by him. All plane markings are authentic reproductions of actual plane art, involving the viewer in the complexity of aerial battle, the simplicity of daily patrol, and the freedom and excitement of flying. His 6-series Lithographs 'Remember Pearl Harbor' Prints predicates his loyalty to History and the Men who fought and died in the World War II.
And finally Skip's return to Full Circle, his affection for the Native American, their life, their Art, and Ceremony and his love for the Western way of life.
Skip's Paintings are displayed in many Private Collections. And several works hange in Museums located all our our United States of America and Great Britain:
Fort Apache, Az., The United States Naval Academy in Md., Barbers Point USMC Station, Hi., The President George Bush Museum/Library in Tx., commissioned by the San Jacinto (San Jac) Association, and The Battle of Britain in London, England, UK.
Skip has participated in many shows and received Awards for Best of Show and Best of Media at The Military Artist Gathering in San Antonio, Tx.;
The Buckeroo Heritage Award for Best in Mixed Media and First Place in Native American Art.
Skip has worked in the Commercial Art field, illustrating Video Covers and Books. His most prestigious was the Book authored by Robert Stinnet, "Bush - His War Years."
Skip maintains a Studio in Dewey, Arizona with his wife and "Best Friend" Na and their Dog Children, Taiyo (the Princess) Weda (Way-dah) meaning Bear and Nammie (Little Sister).
Essentially a self-taught Artist, Skip's interests have ranged from Commercial Cartoon Art at age 11, to Air-Brushing on T-shirts, car designs and caricatures. He was then known as the 'Mad Striper.' In Ukiah, Ca., and also at the Autorama Show in Los Angeles, whereby he established himself as a Professional Artist.
In High School, Skip was encouraged to try his talent at the Finer Arts by being commissioned by one of the local Historical Hotels in Ukiah to paint a Picture of the Palace Hotel as it had appeared in the 1880's. This prompted his interest in History from having to do research as changes had already been made to the original building. Skip has worked in several different Mediums, mainly Acrylic with oil washes.
After High School Skip entered the military. Serving with the First Marine Division in Korea, he would sketch events in Cartoon form creating a lighter side of Military Combat and service. After his discharge Skip attended Santa Rosa Junior College in Santa Rosa, Ca., and finished his college education at the University of California, in Berkley, majoring in Visual Arts Media.
Skip's studies in Visual Arts came in handy after joining the Napa City Fire Fighters creating Training Manuals and Videos. Around this same period of time Skip delved more deeply into the Study of the Native American Artists; how they obtained the colors used in their work, the Styles and Designs of the different Tribes throughout America. Painting in the style of the old Artisans, gathering the rocks, grasses, sand, and even excrements from the birds; using pigment paint binders from hide scraping and cactus juice to refine the paint; and with the use of Sticks, Bone, small branches to apply the paint to the Buffalo Robes that he uses as his canvas, Skip has mastered the old way of Native Art used by the Elders, remembering his Teacher, Hattie Skinner, and her lessons to observe and discover.
After a two year Hiatus, Skip returned to the Art World, but this time he wanted to communicate his love and involvement with Aviation. His paintings of Aviation, Ships and Trains do not portray the sleek, just off the assembly-line machines so often seen. A Study of continuous use or misuse on metal, paint and men add to the realism of his art. Veterans and military personnel often comment on the battered engine cowlings, oil splattered fuselages, replaced body sections and chipped paint depicted by him. All plane markings are authentic reproductions of actual plane art, involving the viewer in the complexity of aerial battle, the simplicity of daily patrol, and the freedom and excitement of flying. His 6-series Lithographs 'Remember Pearl Harbor' Prints predicates his loyalty to History and the Men who fought and died in the World War II.
And finally Skip's return to Full Circle, his affection for the Native American, their life, their Art, and Ceremony and his love for the Western way of life.
Skip's Paintings are displayed in many Private Collections. And several works hange in Museums located all our our United States of America and Great Britain:
Fort Apache, Az., The United States Naval Academy in Md., Barbers Point USMC Station, Hi., The President George Bush Museum/Library in Tx., commissioned by the San Jacinto (San Jac) Association, and The Battle of Britain in London, England, UK.
Skip has participated in many shows and received Awards for Best of Show and Best of Media at The Military Artist Gathering in San Antonio, Tx.;
The Buckeroo Heritage Award for Best in Mixed Media and First Place in Native American Art.
Skip has worked in the Commercial Art field, illustrating Video Covers and Books. His most prestigious was the Book authored by Robert Stinnet, "Bush - His War Years."
Skip maintains a Studio in Dewey, Arizona with his wife and "Best Friend" Na and their Dog Children, Taiyo (the Princess) Weda (Way-dah) meaning Bear and Nammie (Little Sister).
928-632-8989
