In the early 1970s, Gail Russell began learning what it meant to be a good neighbor. As spiritual elders and Native spokespeople visited the high desert of Northern New Mexico, she listened, helped where she could, and showed up humbly. It was a “chop wood, carry water” time. A time that was foundational, quiet, and deeply transformative.
As time has passed, these relationships continue to blossom over the decades and have grown well beyond just mere connections. They are strong bonds of trust and kinship. For Gail, they are among the most meaningful in her life and continue to guide her life and art.
Descriptive Paragraphs – Over these many years, Gail has been honored to photograph these wonderful Native American elders, families, and cultural leaders from the mesas of Hopi lands to the sacred Black Hills of South Dakota, always with permission and respect.
There is a language that exists beyond words, carried in the way an elder cradles an ear of corn, in the play of light across beadwork, or in a single gaze that holds generations. Through these photographs, Gail seeks to reflect that unspoken wisdom: the strength, dignity, grace, and humor that live within everyday moments of Native life and ceremony.
The Tribal Heart Collection is offered in deep gratitude and admiration. These Native American fine art prints are not just portraits. They are gestures of thanks, intended to quietly honor sacred cultures, ceremonies, and dances to support the ongoing strength, beauty, and cultural vitality of these amazing Indigenous communities.
