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During the February, 2005 Fountain Hills Festival, artist B J Calvird presented a framed giclée print of her painting, "Eagle,"
to the subject of the painting, John Lone Eagle, the traditional Indian drummer with the highly acclaimed musical group, Arvel
Bird and One Nation.
The print was the featured display at Gridleys of Fountain Hills during the Festival on the Avenue of the Fountains, an event
that attracted over 200,000 visitors. The level of orders for the giclée print attested to the extreme popularity of "Eagle,"
as well as to his dynamic energy B J captured in the painting. The special treatment by Gridleys' noted framing department
enhanced Eagle's personality in the fine art print.
Eagle in his full regalia of black leather, fur and jumbo bells accompanied by his entourage, generated an excited crowd when
they arrived for their first viewing of the print. On the last day of the 3-day event, Eagle displayed the giclée close by
his performance area, along side the unique teepee bearing his name being offered to campers and playgrounds.
Giclée note cards of the original "Eagle" painting were also an extremely popular item available at Gridleys of Fountain Hills.
When Eagle, with heartfelt sincerity, told the artist, "I am honored," B J replied, "I am the one who is honored to have been
given permission to paint your portrait."
B J said, "I will never forget that first moment Eagle laid eyes on his portrait. Even though fans surrounded him, he obviously
was in a private world of his own with the painting. After finally emerging from the silence, he looked at me with mist in
his eyes and said, 'That drumstick has since been retired.' Knowing the reverence given to the symbols of his culture, I
could tell that for Eagle, this is a painting honoring his revered drumstick."
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