There Once Was A Time 

Thomas Blackshear painted "There Once Was A Time" using traditional oil on canvas techniques. The artist skillfully employs blending techniques to create a smooth surface, ideal for rendering the figure with realism, and with close attention to detail, evident in the beads, pipe, and other objects depicted. This level of detail requires time and precision, qualities often associated with traditional portraiture. The smoothness of the surface is interrupted by the texture of the canvas itself. These qualities subtly contrast with the themes of the work. By emphasizing the sitter's dress, and adornments, Blackshear subtly highlights the rich cultural heritage of indigenous people, but the fact that this history is presented on canvas, a material often associated with Western art traditions, raises questions about appropriation. Ultimately, Blackshear's choice of materials and techniques invites viewers to reconsider the value and meaning we ascribe to both the artwork and the world it represents.