Valerie Hanks-Goetz

Born in California, Ernie Bolieu resides in Bryant, Arkansas, with his wife Lana. In 2018, he retired from Timber Automation in Hot Springs, where he worked as a computer draftsman.

In 2010, he began volunteering at the American Art Gallery, where he spent time getting to know the other artists and gaining knowledge about the various minerals and gemstones used in jewelry-making. He took up jewelry-making in 2012, and as most artists do, he has expanded his creativity.

His passion for Native American jewelry sends him to New Mexico and Oklahoma for the best materials for his jewelry.

Working with natural stones in his beadwork, he creates a variety of styles and designs, using sterling silver, copper, and brass beads to complement the gems and minerals in his designs.

Ernie is well-versed in the lines of jewelry carried in the gallery, loves to discuss the styles, traditions, and culture of southwestern jewelry, and enjoys creating custom pieces for his customers.

He finds great satisfaction in helping a customer choose the perfect piece of jewelry from the large selection at American Art, most of it from the Four Corners states.

If you have a chance, stop in during Gallery Walk to chat with Ernie, ask how his Cherokee heritage impacts his designs, and he'll mention his patterns are usually either in sevens for the seven nations or in twelves. 

 Photography has always been my favorite art medium. There is something so uniquely powerful in the ability to capture a moment in time. It's not easy. A picture can be "more powerful than words" and a picture can be frustrating, where "it just doesn't do it justice". It's truly an art. It's become my art.

• It's trial and error.
• It's a subtle edit.
• It's getting lucky.
• It's being ready. 

While I own a decent camera, the majority of these images have been captured over the course of the past decade, using whatever camera or version of phone I had on me at the time. The resolutions are inconsistent, but the inspiration has always been the same - to capture the spontaneous beauty around me, in the moment. None of these images are staged, and I don't go out on "photo shoots" (unless specifically commissioned). I just see the beauty around me and can't help but shoot.

Whatever you go looking for in life, you'll find. If you want to see the worst in the world, you'll see it. If you want to see the beauty, it will overwhelm you. It's everywhere.

While I've long dreamt of someday taking my photography from hobby to business, I was always a little skeptical that day would come. But here we are. My first sale moved me to tears, and I have been humbled by the incredible response to my work. This is a vulnerable venture, and yet, I've been so moved by the way these images resonate with people. Thank you. 

As I was growing up, I remember on weekends and some holidays my father at his lathe making beautiful lamps, and other such objects on his lathe, and not being able to help or join him. He would point out that it wasn't a toy. Over the years, I watched him make the most beautiful lamps.

When I was in high school, I finally attended a shop class, and one of the assignments was to turn a baseball bat on the lathe. I remember telling my father, and he lit up like I had told him I won the lottery. He took me out to his lathe and let me loose on it, and of course gave pointers and suggestions. Needless to say, I ended up doing very well on the project, and the memories of that have stayed with me to this day.

I never had a chance to do another project with my father; in fact, I didn't start creating again till after he passed away. When my father passed away, I was left with a shop full of his tools and wood. Keep in mind, I hadn't made anything in decades, so it was a whole relearning process. I have been making beautiful pieces since 2017 with the thought of my father in mind, so I am here to share these with you and your family and friends.

Every piece I make is totally unique and will never be found anywhere else. Also, if you request, your piece can be fully engraved uniquely for you or the occasion of the gift. 

GOURDS BY CARMIL was created by chance in 1995. After purchasing a few gourds at a flea market, we began experimenting with different techniques and designs, which was the beginning of our fascination with using natural materials to create useful and decorative gourds. Before 1995, we had been involved in several artistic expressions, including clothing design, but when we started working with gourds, we felt we had found the perfect medium for expressing our love of nature and the art of Western, Southwestern, and Native American.

OUR CREATIVE PROCESS: Collaboration begins on the exterior design, mandated by size and shape. Extensive research of Native American symbols and designs has been done to achieve authenticity in our creative process. Each gourd evolves into its own final portrait. The use of natural trims, antlers, leather, and raw materials is used for embellishments on each vessel and mask. Our aim is to bring a forgotten culture into modern American homes with decorative pieces that can be appreciated for many years and passed down through generations.