The Story of Qu Yuan and the Duan Wu (Dragon Boat) Festival

My interest in this Chinese poet was sparked by a discussion initiated at myLot.com about the Dragon Boat Festival.

May is Asian-American Heritage Month in America.  

Even though Qu Yuan is not a notable Asian-American, it is a time to honor Asian culture along with the history and roots of this country's Asia-American citizens.  This event is celebrated around the United States.  Specifically, this 2,000-year-old Chinese festival has been celebrated for 18 years in Austin, Texas.

• Austin Dragon Boat Festival Celebrates 18th Year at Lady Bird Lake

"Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th month. But that's not May 5th. This holiday is calculated according to the lunar calendar. ... The Chinese name of this holiday is Duan Wu Jie 端午节 or 'Double Five Holiday.' ..."  Read more.

Dragon Boat Festival

Native American Contemporary Artist: Tony Abeyta

Tony Abeyta
Native American Painter; Born 1965


Original paintings are in public art galleries worldwide and American museums, such as the National Museum of the American Indian, Washington D.C./New York City.


Tony Abeyta is of Navajo and Anglo-American descent, the son of the late Navajo painter Ha-So-De (Narciso Abeyta). He was raised in Gallup, New Mexico, a small town surrounded by the Zuni (Pueblo Native Americans) and Navajo reservation. Pursuing his educational aspirations provided him an opportunity to travel. He has studied at art institutions in Baltimore, Chicago, Maine, New York, France and Italy. Though much of his work is rooted in a complex Navajo culture, it also displays elements of a progressive cultural experience.


"I try to diversify as an artist and there are certainly many directions I take as a painter." - Tony Abeyta

"Tony creates a powerful range of contemporary and traditional paintings. He explores different mediums such as oil and monotype creating a variety of pieces including charcoal drawings, large scale oil and sand paintings, and abstract mixed media pieces incorporating encaustic wax, copper and printmaking. Please browse through his collections of recent works, contemporary art, traditional art, and prints."  Official Website

Tony Abeyta is accepted as one of the finest young contemporary painters today, as well as one of the most innovative Native American artists of his generation. I. For further biographical information, click on the link to above to his official website or the links supplied below:

• Blue Rain Gallery | Artist Bio
• Native Artist Tony Abeyta Talks Inspiration and Aspirations

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Remembered Ancients

Native American Contemporary Artist: Dan Namingha

Dan Namingha
Native American Painter/Sculptor; Born 1950 -

• NIMAN Fine Art | Dan Namingha, Santa Fe, New Mexico

To work around the traditional art system, i.e. non-recognition of Native American artists, Namingha opened his own gallery. Niman Fine Art is a family-owned and operated gallery representing the works of internationally known artist Dan Namingha and other Namingha family members. His original works are also available at art galleries worldwide; for example, Artnet Galleries.


From the Tewa-Hopi tribe, Dan Namingha was born on the Hopi reservation in Keams Canyon, Arizona. In 2009, Dan Namingha received an Honorary Doctorate from the Institute of American Indian Arts. Like most artists, from very young (2nd grade) his artistic abilities provided him an avenue of creative expression. His work shows the influence of his Hopi background but his sculptures also incorporate cubism. Links to additional bio notes:

• The Art of Dan and Arlo Namingha

"I see myself as a kind of bridge between worlds, trying to find that center line of balance." - Dan Namingha


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Spirit Dance by Dan Namingha

Native American Contemporary Artist: Kevin Red Star

November is Native American Heritage Month in the United States of America.

3-part blog post. Spotlight on three Native American artists of Crow, Hopi and Navajo descent, who share the art resulting from their culture and traditions with the world.

"What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S., has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose." - Quote Source: Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior


In 1990, President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution which designated November as "National American Indian Heritage Month". Below are profiles of three Native American artists whose persistent and diligent efforts have introduced the contemporary art of descendants of the first Americans to an international audience.


Kevin Red Star
Native American Painter; Born 1943 -

• Kevin Red Star Studio & Gallery, Roberts, Montana.

Crow Husband and Wife

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Kevin Red Star is a celebrated artist who is internationally known. He was born on the Crow Indian Reservation in Lodge Grass, Montana. He is the recipient of 2 Honorary Doctorate degrees. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Fine Art from the Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana in 1997; and an Honorary Doctorate Degree from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2010.


"Indian culture has in the past been ignored to a great extent." -- Kevin Red Star


Well thanks to his efforts and that of many others who support the preservation of our Native American history, culture and heritage, it will be ignored no longer. Red Star's work can be found in numerous important museum collections, including but not limited to The Smithsonian Institution - National Museum of the American Indian.

Famous Native Americans | Activist Grace Thorpe | Native American Encyclopedia

Is Grace Thorpe, the daughter of legendary Olympic athlete Jim Thorpe, a Native American?

(MY COMMENT:  Native American or not. She's a "pretty tough" old lady. Interesting article.)

Link to original article:

Famous Native Americans | Activist Grace Thorpe | Native American Encyclopedia

Jim Thorpe (1888 - 1953) Buy This at Allposters.com

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Related articles or products

• The Most Wonderful Athlete (thedailybeast.com)
• Mixed Experience History Month 2013: Jim Thorpe, Star Athlete (lightskinnededgirl.typepad.com)

• Jim Thorpe, Original All-American
• Jim Thorpe: Olympic Champion (Childhood of Famous Americans)

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I heart old movies.  Do you?  Movie suggestion.

Jim Thorpe: All American

Burt Lancaster as Jim Thorpe

Falafel is the Ultimate Sandwich Experience

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Edible Art Of Kawaii Cooking

Thanks for stopping by My Blog Stop!  Apologies.  This content has been moved to our foodie blog.  Just one more click.  Thanks for your patience.

Edible Art Of Kawaii Cooking | Food Ways

Edible Art Of Kawaii Cooking

What's the secret to kawaii cooking? It's adoreable cuteness! ...