Ainu Woman

This is a portrait of an early 20th century Ainu woman, an indigenous people from Japan and Russia, but originally distinct from the Japanese. The women were fond of necklaces of glass beads, embroidered headbands, and earrings that were metal rings with a ball. They also traditionally had tattooed mouths--making their lips look grotesquely long & large--although this lovely woman does not. One of my artistic goals is to present and preserve the various indigenous cultures and peoples around the world, many of whom are in danger of becoming "extinct."