The work of Kirby Sattler is fueled by an inherent interest in the Indigenous Peoples of the Earth. His current images evolve
from the history, ceremony, mythology, and spirituality of the Native American. Sattler's ultra-detailed interpretations examine
the inseparable relationship between the Indian and his natural world, reflecting a culture that had no hard line between
the sacred and the mundane. Each painting functions on the premise that all natural phenomena have souls independent of their
physical beings. Under such a belief, the wearing of sacred objects were a source of spiritual power. Any object- a stone,
a plait of sweet grass, a part of an animal, the wing of a bird- could contain the essence of the metaphysical qualities identified
to the objects and desired by the Native American. This acquisition of "Medicine", or spiritual power, was central to the
lives of the Indian. It provided the conduit to the unseen forces of the universe which predominated their lives.
The artist states, " I attempt to give the viewer of my work a sense of what these sacred objects meant to the wearer; when
combined with the proper ritual or prayer there would be a transference of identity. More than just aesthetic adornment, it
was an outward manifestation of their identity and their inter-relatedness with their natural and spiritual world.”
Sattler has developed his painting into a distinctive style of realism. The methodology involves the painstaking layering
of transparent washes over multiple underpaintings. This technique results in canvases that are rich in detail, defined textures
and surfaces. With the deliberate precision given to each work, he produces a very limited number of paintings each year.
With the technological revolution of the digital printing industry and the advent of high quality, archival inks, Sattler
has found that the "giclée" ( Iris Digital Print), is able to fathfully reproduce the details, tonality, and subtle nuances
of his original work. These limited edition prints, available on both canvas and watercolor paper, have
made the ownership of a Sattler work of art more affordable and accessible to his audience.
