1923] PETER. AN ARTIST AFIELD 113 



Federal Government, a permit to visit one or more of the reservations 

 on which the particular tribe now resides. 



There is then constructed on a reduced scale a wooden model of 

 the large case in which the finished group will be placed. An inch or 

 an inch and a half in the model is the equivalent of one foot in the 

 large case. This model is fitted with a canvas fastened temporarily in 

 place and which can be removed in the field so that the background 

 for the group can be painted directly from nature. For painting in 

 the open, a compact folding board is used, to which this canvas is 

 fastened with thumb tacks. This can be opened and set on an easel 

 and make it unnecessary to transport the cumbersome model on pack 

 animals, as would otherwise frequently be necessary. 



Besides the model, quick-setting plaster of Paris is taken for use 

 in making molds of Indian faces, hands and feet. This requires a 

 wash basin and a large spoon for mixing the plaster, vaseline and 

 olive oil for coating the surface to be molded, so the plaster will not 

 stick, and rubber tubes to be inserted in the nostrils when face molds 

 are made. The field painting outfit, consisting of easel, umbrella, 

 stool, paint boxes and colors is always present. Tobacco and ciga- 

 rettes are not forgotten, as they are a language which all Indians 

 understand, and consequently come in very handy in dealing with 

 them, all negotiations being invariably opened with a smoke. 



To all of this must be added, of course, the regular field equipment 

 such as cameras, collecting boxes, camp equipment, etc., to say 

 nothing of personal baggage containing heavy field-shoes, sweaters, 

 raincoats, leggings, and similar clothing adapted to rough service. 



So outfitted, the trip is started. On arrival at our destination our 

 credentials are presented to the Indian Agent in charge of the reserva- 

 tion, who usually receives us most cordially, offering quarters for our 

 stay and his personal assistance in every possible way. Our experience 

 has been that all Indian Agents with whom we have come in contact 

 were highly intelligent and courteous. They invariably treated 

 their wards, the Indians, kindly and with humanit}', and as far as we 

 were concerned we were always indebted to them for their assistance 

 and hospitality. 



Under the guidance of the Agent and an interpreter, trips over 

 the reservation are then made to study the field of operations and to 

 get acquainted with the Indians, who furnish the information neces- 

 sary to give us an idea as to what shall be represented in the group. 

 Having decided on the subject matter of the group, an interesting and 



