Spotlight On: Local Artist Tyler Hummingbird Peyron

Spotlight On:
Tyler Hummingbird Peyon

As part of our ongoing series, we are interviewing people of interest in the community who are having a positive impact on the lives around them.

This time we are spotlighting local artist Tyler Hummingbird Peyron.

Can you tell us about your background and how you became interested in painting?

I am from the Tule River Indian Reservation that’s located in the foothills of the Central Valley. My Family moved to Big Pine in 1990-1991. Big Pine is where my folks met a decade or so prior. So I’m also a “Piner” through and through. My older brother and I were always the creative types but he was for sure the day one artist of the family. I’ve always dabbled, but was far more interested in the written word and music. I went to The Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, NM where I was exposed to many mediums of art and started taking classes like 2D fundamentals, Drawing 1, and introduction to print making. I received my BFA in 2012 and went on to get my MFA in 2016 with a focus in poetry. I really only  stared seriously trying to paint in 2016. I was interested in the expression of color and I wanted to translate the images that came to mind in some way and at that time it was paint and the canvas.

What inspires your work? Are there particular themes or subjects that you’re drawn to?

I am always drawn to nature, my culture, traditions, story telling, the unknown, the supernatural, and the wonder of this world and how I could interpret my vision of it through any medium. I’m constantly thinking about the resonance of places. Past echoes of what was before or in the future, “the ghosts of the land.” On the cultural side of things that some may consider not possible are very much real and are a solid part of my upbringing. For example I do a lot of Bigfoot themed work since my reservation is home to the “Hairy-Man” pictographs. My great grandmother has a story in a tribal book published in the 1970’s and that was what I grew up with. It’s an easy find on google: https://tulerivertribe-nsn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/big-foot.pdf

Can you walk us through your creative process, from concept to finished piece?

Usually I kind of just go about daily life until something comes to mind. An image, a dream, maybe something I’ve seen while traveling, colors, you name it. Something will jump out and pretty much tell me, “Hey this might be pretty cool to try.” It’s never really much more than me always thinking, and sometimes over thinking. And most of the time these things wind up in the concept bin and I am always moving from medium depending on where I’m at mentally, spiritually, and physically. It can go from making music, writing poetry/stories, wood burning, painting, all the way to carving abalone and making jewelry.

You also create jewelry.  Can you tell us a little about that?

Just Like with painting I was always around this type of creativity but I never really had much official training in any of it. I learned how to make pine nut beads while working at the cultural department of my tribe and I made my first serious necklace in 2018. I started cutting and carving abalone in mid 2019 and I had to pretty much figure it out on my own. I was always aware of the safety protocol’s of working with shell and the tools I use I just had to learn what worked best and that continues. I personally like to hold a piece of shell and see what is already present in its natural state then try to bring it out. After that I do the same in the jewelry design. I try and let it talk to me and tell me what it wants to look like.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists in the local community?

I say what ever is your niche, your media, your expression just go for it. Try it out for yourself first and foremost. Express what you know because that’s as authentic as it can get. That also doesn’t mean to not try new things. It’s good to be a Jack of all trades, “a master of none is oftentimes better than a master of one.” Be versatile in all means of creativity listen to what’s helpful and shine on what isn’t.

A special thank you to Tyler for answering our questions!

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