Ever Watchful

by James Ayers

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More About Ever Watchful
Ever Watchful is one of my most popular images. This warrior is of high standing as a civil leader and guard of his people--a status signified by the fringes of hair on his shirt which represent the individuals within the tribe he protects. He knows that the welfare and well-being of the tribe rests on the strength and resolute leadership of the warrior society he serves. To falter could have dire consequences to the women, children, and elders he protects--thus his "ever watchful" attitude. Notice the green shirt worn by the warrior.
This is a shirt signifying societal importance. Men who were honored with these shirts were called "shirt wearers." I describe shirt wearer status in an article on my painting, The Chief's New Gun. Here, the shirt features quill work with the "three point design" favored by plains tribes. Other details of Ever Watchful include hair adornments such as tradecloth-wrapped braids, brass beads and bells, and hawk feathers.