SPIRITUAL ALCHEMY

Healing the Heart, Transforming the Spirit 

Artwork by Vickie Leigh Krudwig

            It has been 23 years since I first had my dream about Chipeta, a Ute woman, born in the summer of 1843. She came early one April morning in 2000 to ask me to write her story. Though I was reluctant, I would eventually honor this woman’s request to write her story and that of her people, the Ute. I traveled to the Four Corners region in the American Southwest and throughout the Rocky Mountains to uncover this amazing woman’s past.

During this project I was in what some would call a mid-life crisis. I was dealing with an anxiety disorder, physical illness, and severe vision issues causing pain and distorted vision. My body, mind, and spirit felt broken. Then Chipeta came into my life. She visited me in my dreams and meditations and journaling. Why me? At the time I thought I was the least qualified person to write her biography, and I was a white woman. Still, this woman was persistent and I committed to write her book. I would travel and meet Chipeta’s and her husband, Ouray’s, descendants, as well as many other descendants of many historical Ute figures. The more I learned about the Ute and Chipeta’s life and times, the more my own heart and soul opened. I found solace and healing through the journey to uncover Chipeta’s past.

Much to my delight and surprise, Searching for Chipeta: The Story of a Ute and Her People was released in early April 2004. In 2005, at the insistence of a art instructor, Homare Ikeda, I begin to paint images from my experiences and spiritual connections to Chipeta. My paintings, made of basic elements of water and earth inspired pigments, and spiritual energy became powerful and meaningful experiences during the art making process. The paintings felt energized and holy. My figures, inspired by Indigenous rock art and petroglyphs, dots, and other shapes became symbolic and full of prayerful contemplation. If I tried to alter the image as it flowed through me, the process would stop. I surrendered to spirit and soon found a great healing through the process of my art making and writing. I never know what will appear on  the canvas. It is transformative and I am grateful I have received this gift.

Now, twenty-three years after my first dream, I have come home to Montrose to share my new works of art and to introduce my new memoir, Walking with Chipeta: My 179 Year Journey through Chipeta’s World to Mine. Thank you for supporting the Ute Indian Museum, Friends of the Ute, and for honoring Chipeta’s amazing history. May we always remember this amazing woman and all of the Ute ancestors and their descendants.

A generous commission from painting sales will be made to the Friends of the Ute and Ute Indian Museum to support crucial cultural programming.