Throughout the Southwest, these strange figures have been re-interpreted from the rock art and pictographs to create new designs, which adorn T-shirts, electrical switches, restaurant interiors, pottery, art posters and magazine covers. Still, the charm of these strange and curious mythological figures lives on, as many artists find new ways to decorate objects using variations of the captivating silhouettes. Innovative artists can incorporate the Kokopelli images into wall designs using a stenciling technique or create watercolor overlays of the stick figures with the aid of transparent waterbased paint.
The natural color palette that is often seen in Southwestern jewelry, pottery, clothing and wall hangings did not always come directly the from artists' imaginations. More likely, the colors of the stark turquoise skies, burnt sienna mounds of earth and ocher sandy washes are depicted very close to how they are actually seen. Of special interest are the complimentary colors of the deep blue sky and the rich mounds of red earth that can be found throughout the region.
Instead of using these colors in a traditional, realistic painting, artists can take the striking color patterns and create linear and geometric designs. Wooden boxes for jewelry and knickknacks provide an excellent surface for placing such a painted design.
Drawing the face is one of the most challenging of all artistic endeavors. To master this piece of human anatomy, the novice draftsman must spend many hours practicing the craft. Over time, many portraits painters and artists have come to appreciate the distinctive lines of a weather-worn face. Once the drawing of the face is mastered, the artist can attempt to juxtapose the aged face with the rough terrain of the Southwest. Maynard Dixon, whose website is listed in the Resource section, was a master of this; his work can be viewed in museums around the Southwest.