All photos of this presentation are solely owned by the

Artist. No copying or other use is allowed.

Featuring Northwest Native Artist Amanda Ochoa

by Michelle Ochoa

About the Artist:

“My name is Amanda Ochoa, I'm a mother who gives all the strength and energy to accomplish my goals.

I'm from Southern Oregon. I have lived in the North West all of my life, and have traveled all over the Northwest.

I'am an enrolled member of The Klamath Tribes, and my family originated from Tuscon Arizona from the Pasqua Yaqui Tribe, and I'am also Lakota from South Dakota.”

"The mission of the Klamath Tribes is to protect, preserve and enhance the spiritual, cultural and physical values and resources of the Klamath, Modoc

and Yahooskin Peoples by maintaining the customs and heritage of our ancestors. To establish comprehensive unity by fostering the enhancement

of spiritual and cultural values through a government whose function is to protect the human and cultural resources, treaty rights, and to provide for the

development and delivery of social and economic opportunities for our People through effective leadership."

How do you describe your art and what has inspired you?

“ I describe my art form as bead work, as do many other beaders.

I was inspired to bead at a young age through my culture and family members

Many others in my family have done bead work at some point, my sister and I have been the two to keep up with it.

I have learned to bead both by example and self taught. “

What do you enjoy about your art and how is it shared?

“ I enjoy the challenge of completing my orders on a timely matter and feeling the

accomplishment. My artwork has been shared through powwows

and internet resources for cultural gatherings and celebrations”

How does your art represent your culture? What does your art mean to you ?

“ My artwork represents my culture by the designs and the fact that its is a traditional art.

It means a lot to me, because not only is it for enjoyment but I'm also able to take part in my traditions. “

How long does it take? What is the Process and materials?

“My bead work can take many hours, days, or weeks, all depending on the size of each piece.

There is actually many details to bead work and every beader has different materials and ways to complete there work. I use one needle and thread, pick my colors and designs, and then stitch through every tiny bead tightly on to what is called Pellon 70, which is like a baby cloth type of material. once the bead work is finished i then stitch on a cardboard back to create a harder form and thicker piece, that will also make it more durable. Then i will add on the final touch of a Leather back, and stitch around the entire piece to close up and complete the job. “

What characteristics are needed to create this kind of art? What advice would you give to someone else who

would like to learn this kind of art?

“It takes a lots of creativity and patience is the number one thing, because it is very time consuming.

I would say to always bead for enjoyment and to have fun with it. And to never be discourage, but to keep going because piece after piece you will become better and

better, so don't give up.”

What message would you like to share with the audience?

“ I would also like to say that each piece of bead work is the artist own creations and it is not acceptable to try to recreate or copy there artwork. Thank you and I hope you enjoy and have learned a little more about bead work.”

Contact and Source

If you would like to contact the artist to commission any of her beautiful works of art, she can be found as a family member listed on our facebook page @ www.facebook.com/econativeelements.

Thanks also to http://klamathtribes.org/culture.html

Thank you