CHARACTER DESIGN — ‘Inola Fasthorse’.

Inola Fasthorse is a Blackfoot Native American character of mine, existing in a universe set in the 1800s. Like with a lot of my work, I draw a lot of inspiration from Old West inspired films and media. Inola means ‘Black Fox’ in Lakota, a Siouan language spoken by the Lakota people of the Sioux tribes. The skull featured in the piece is that of a fox, and the flowers behind her are hyacinths, which symbolise ‘deep regret and sorrow’, in reference to past choices that still haunt her.
In art, foxes can symbolise intelligence and shrewdness, and within Native American belief, foxes represent cunning, but also an animal who deceived, manipulated, or used unscrupulous tactics to achieve his goals. Some beliefs show foxes to be a spiritual animal, representing feminine energy, as well as being seen as sly, dutiful, and fierce protectors of their family. The duality is poignant for her character, as her morality is a vastly grey area— she will do whatever she deems necessary to survive and protect the ones she loves, and to avenge the ones she’s lost.

The colours behind her are chosen to represent a starless sky. To represent a new time coming. Historically we associate looking to the stars to connect us to loved ones who have passed on, and those that came before us. Inola’s starless sky is indicative of how she feels ashamed of her choices, and her detachment from her ancestors and her culture. The night can also be associated with danger and sin, which ring true to her character.

Whilst she is the newly approaching night, Cole’s colours are that of a sunset, linking the characters together. One is the moon, and one the sun, reliant upon the other to survive, and always thought of in tandem together.

Inola’s fox skull is closed, implying she knows what she is and does not dispute that.

It is part of a matching set of pieces, the other half being her husband, Cole.