“GEORGIA ABEITA OLIVER” watercolor by kayti sweetland rasmussen]
“What color would you call my hair?” I asked her once. “Mouse”, she quickly replied, so I made her a giant wire sculpture of a rat. We found that we could laugh at each other until the tears flowed down our cheeks, and not remember why. She was a girl from a village I never heard of and a culture I only guessed at.
I painted pictures of Indians I had never seen, in landscapes I had never traveled, until she became my daughter’s teacher.
On “Back To School” night I met Georgia Oliver, fifth grade teacher, and as my daughter had told me: “A REAL Indian”, as opposed to what I had painted.
Georgia Abeita, by photography class at University of New Mexico
Georgia and her husband, Emmett Oliver, became extended family over a period of time, and together introduced us to Native America. Georgia Abeita came from Isleta, a small pueblo in New Mexico, and Emmett, a Quinalt, from Washington state. Both became teachers and there are untold numbers of former students who are grateful for having had either as their teacher. Their son, Marvin Oliver, has carried on the teaching profession as Art Professor at the University of Washington, and has become famous as a North Coast artist.
A turning point cor me as an artist came when Georgia invited me to spend time with her at her home in New Mexico. From that time on, I no longer had to look for pictures to copy when painting an Indian.
More important, I found a very special friend.
Nice one, Kayti. I enjoyed reading it and admire your painting.
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Thanks Gerard. It’s interesting for me to note that her daughter looks very much like her as a young woman.
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Oh my goodness, that story and the painting are incredible!!!! Your love and respect for her definitely play into capturing a very sensitive-yet-strong essence….. Thank you so much for sharing this!
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I’m glad you enjoyed it Lisa. It’s interesting to see how we connect with other people upon first meeting them. There’s simply a slow that turns into a flame with time as you become part of their lives too. This woman was an incredible and wise teacher.
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An amazing experience and a lovely portrait. How wonderful to transcend the differences of culture and upbringing and simply laugh together!
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There truly are differences in culture, probably more then than now. One of the more interesting discoveries was to find so many highly educated people who simply preferred living in their traditional ways. Human nature really doesn’t change between cultures. I miss sharing those laughs.
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It is funny how fate drops people into our lives when least expected, people that change our perceptions, people that enhance us. Beautiful portrait Kayti.
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We have to keep our hearts open to discovery. It’s always better not to believe everything we’ve been taught until we check it out. My perception of the American Indian of the Old West was put to the test, and came out short. People are people wherever you find them.
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Exactly, we are all the same. x
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The best of all possible worlds, Kayti. Serendipity! I like your painting of her. –Curt
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Thanks Curt.
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I can only imagine what that time in Isleta must have been like — what a gift. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Georgia’s full name before. The “Abeita” caught me, and reminded me of something. A little exploring, and I figured it out. I once read some of Charles Fletcher Lummis’s account of his walk across the county. He ended up staying in Isleta, in the home of Pablo Abeita, who was governor of Isleta at the time. I can’t help thinking Georgia was related somehow.
It’s wonderful to have someone to laugh with. In a world that insists on confusing snark or ridicule with humor, it’s even more of a gift.
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It is possible that Georgia was related in some way to Pablo Abeita. The name is quite common down there. The governors are elected for one year, and her father was Governor at one time. I found it interesting that Georgia and others I met would say “Oh he is my cousin”, or some other relative. Not quite the same relationship we might call it. They also say “I know this person”, and yes, they really do! Most of the people I stayed with really were her family though. Lummis was very famous naturally. I tried to get a connection time wise with her but he was much earlier.
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this is a wonderful story of friendship and the personal growth that can result. She sounds like a wonderful person who succeeded at being human.
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Thank you Janet. She was such an interesting and wise person. She taught my children, but I learned so much from her.
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Nice Aunt Kayti!! Always love your stuff, Bear
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Hi dear nephew! Thank you so much.
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Barry, if you are still in Alaska and can get to Ketchican, go see Marvin Oliver’s gallery there. He is Georgia’s son. If he’s he’s there, tell him who you are. Great guy you will like him. He is professor at UW so spends time both places.
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Your painting is great — you are definitely talented and accomplished. I like the way you’ve used negative space in the design. The story behind it is even better. You are also a gifted storyteller!
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Thank you Val. I appreciate that.
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