THE MOCCASIN MAKER

  Valorie Hughes

 

Mohawk artist Valorie Hughes was born in the Finger Lakes region of New York and moved to Oklahoma in 1984. She is a direct descendant of Mohawk Chief Thayendanegea, otherwise known as Joseph Brant, and takes great pride in her heritage. Her love of working with leather and beads shows in her creations which subtly and intricately blend a myriad of hues in detailed patterns. Whether a traditional or contemporary piece of 3-dimensional art, her style is unique. Left-handed and self-taught, she creates moccasins, jackets, dresses and pipebags, just to name a few. She enjoys beading around unique shaped clay pots, vases and trinket boxes, as well. Each piece is one-of-a-kind and her work has been collected around the world.