Painted Designs
	Western Canvas offers contemporary painted designs in the spirit of traditional motifs. You can select one of our various motifs or create your own personalized tipi designs. We have a wide selection of contemporary or petroglyph animals such as: bison, deer, elk, birds, fish, turtles, coyotes, bear, horses, beaver, etc..., geometric shapes, and symbols. If you choose to have your tipi painted please call for specific details.
Historically, skilled specialists would paint designs in charcoal, using red willow for a drawing stick. The coloring was then applied with brushes made from sticks softened by chewing bound bison hair or even porous bone joints. The symbols and designs for the bottom and upper panels of the tipi originated from tribal forms, while designs for the middle area represented war exploits or vision experiences, or even supernatural guardians significant to the warrior of the household. Original paint was mixed from mineral or vegetable coloring with a glue base made from boiled bison hooves, but the white man's commercial pigments soon became a coveted trade item. More pictures in the Gallery       Home Page Welcome| Handmade Tipis| Tipi Liners | Tipi Poles | Children's Play Tipis About Us| Materials| Construction| What's New |Shipping Info.| Warranty |Contact Us Photo Gallery |F.A.Q. |Shop Online |Printable Price List| Links