I have been involved in magic since the age of seven. I began building my own props and effects to enhance the power of my magic.
Being a Native American heritage artist, I have also created my magic and props with this theme in mind. I have also created a magic line of my own design with this Native American theme. I have transformed old magic tricks into new visions with a Native American twist.
Over the past fifteen years, I have performed stage, close-up, parlor, and comedy magic professionally for many different audiences, including restaurants, bars, clubs, children's parties, schools, corporate events, Pow-wows & Native American festivals, charities, and private functions. My show and character are perfect additions to any "Order of the Arrow", Boy Scout, Webelo, Cub Scout, Girl Scout, Brownie, Y-Indian Guide, Y-Indian Princesses or other event that you would like to be made unforgettable. I have also performed at camps, in outdoor venues, and around campfires, where storytelling and Native Style magic are very popular.
Included in my repertoire are balloon sculpting and face painting. I dress in Native attire for most events, and Black Tux for more formal affairs if required.
I can customize my act to fit almost any event or program.
The Black Fox Trading Co. has been producing quality reproductions in the USA since 1994, and has developed and created the techniques to give them the realistic look that was unavailable to crafter's before and offer them at more affordable prices.
Most of our reproductions have been cast from the actual item represented. Each piece is cast out of a hybrid plastic, hand-finished by us and sealed with a clear coat for protection. All may be easily drilled. Our products are so popular, that several companies have taken our “Quality Reproductions” and copied them without the “Quality” or our permission.
RV: I understand that you first began your involvement with magic at age 7 and began building your own props. Where did your influence and interest in magic come from? Is there a magician that you had a lot of admiration for while growing up?
Frank: I have designed built and a few effects, because being a Magician who is of Native Heritage, there wasn’t many effects that suited my Character. I was doing Effects that were commercial until I was 15, when my Dad passed away. I didn’t do much magic for about 20 years. I still did a little and I had friend’s that were Professional and Amateur Magician’s. It wasn’t until I owned a Native American Shop, that I started tinkering with idea of being a Magician again. A friend of mine gave me a set of plastic English walnut shell’s for the three shell game that also came with “Peas”. Interesting concept, but I was a Native Magician, what would I be doing with “English” walnut shells? So I designed a set of Turtles for the game and made my own “Peas” or turtle eggs. I was the first to make something other then walnut shells for the game. This is what put me on the path to becoming a “Legend” in the Magic Community and I use that word lightly. I then made different colored sets of Scarab or dung beetles, which became very popular and cemented my “Legendary” status. My shell’s are in Bill Palmer’s Cup’s and Ball Museum on line, if you care to check out some of my earlier shells that I don’t make anymore.
When I was kid, my Family and I went to Knott’s Berry Farm. They had a Magic shop there where a guy would come out of the store and stand up on one of the wagons and perform. He did a cut and restored rope and then amazed the audience with another rope trick called the ”Professor’s Nightmare”. He took three different sized ropes and made all three the same size. He then restored them to their original sizes. I bought the effects and practiced them to perfection. I performed them for friend’s and family and they were just as entertained as I was the first I saw it. I still do that effect to this day.
Most of my influence in Magic came from books. I collected magic books where ever I found them. My Dad was a great supporter in my thirst for knowledge of the craft. We were starting a Magic manufacturing company before he passed away. That’s why I put my Magic away for 20 years. I started studying magic again, because I started losing my hands to Carpal tunnel and trigger finger. I figured working my hands out in a different way might help. Well, it didn’t…. I will have to have surgery to correct my trigger finger, which is in both hands now. I had surgery on my right hand to correct the carpal tunnel. But will not do it on my left hand, it’s not an issue anymore; I just deal with the occasional discomfort.
A book by John Mulholland was very inspirational in molding my persona on stage, because he mixed story telling with magic.
Doug Henning was also an influence, because he showed me that you didn’t have dress like some English guy in a puffy shirt or White man dressing up as a Chinese guy to be great Magician.
RV: What is it like to see the "wow" factor coming from the audience while up on the stage and what events have you performed that stands out for you?
Frank: The “Wow Factor”…That’s why I do magic!!! If I don’t entertain the audience and make them forget about their lives for duration of my show, then I am not doing my “Job”. I want people to enjoy themselves and to have fun during my show and to have a lasting memory afterwards.
It is hard to pick a favorite, there are so many….I love to perform for Children as well as Adult’s or even a combination. Because they are why am performing.
One of my favorites was when I did a convention in England. It was amazing to see how many Magicians’ knew of me overseas. The only thing was that they thought that I was a quite bit older. I had Adult’s and kid’s asking for my autograph and taking pictures with me. It was an eye opening experience to say the least!
RV: What's your favorite trick to perform on stage?
Frank: Favorite “Trick”…? I don’t do “Trick’s”, silly rabbit, “Trick’s” are for kid’s!!!! Lol!!! I prefer to call it “Magic”, especially when I do it right. My favorite trick is to vanish something and make it reappear in their ear. If you do it right, it is pure “Magic”. Ok, that’s not something I do on stage, but it is one of my favorites. The “Apache Linking Ring’s”, formerly known as the “Chinese Linking Ring’s” is my Favorite bit of “Magic”. I link and unlink several solid hoops of metal on stage, almost like a mini Hoop Dancer. Making different shapes and symbol’s familiar in nature. The audience is always in awe… I tell the audience that my Great-Grandfather traded Kansas for them. It was a good trade; we didn’t own Kansas at the time…. Aaayyyy…
RV: What other interest and hobbies do you enjoy?
Frank: I enjoy creating. I am a Native Heritage Artist and Silversmith. I can do anything from beadwork to silverwork, but Magic is my passion. I also tinker with remote control stuff, cars, planes and boats. I designed and built a remote control Trike from parts and pieces form an old R/C “Blackfoot” truck and a motorcycle.
RV: I was looking at the Eagle Claws and they look very authentic. Please tell us about some of the items that you have made and how did you learn to make these? Also you mentioned that these items have fooled the U.S. Dept of Fish and Game, what happened there?
Frank: I started making “Quality Reproduction’s”, because there was a lack of descent looking claws and skulls on the market. Most were pretty bad and crude looking and since I was a Special Effects Make-up Artist and mold maker, I knew I could do better. My specialty was dental prosthetic’s which I made for “Saturday the Thirteenth Strikes back” and “Blood Diner”. So I borrowed parts and pieces and cast them up. They looked great after I was finished with them. People still keep asking if they real!! They are made out of a high-bred plastic and hand painted and colored to look like the real thing. I started doing bear claws, then eagle and hawk feet. I had over 13 employees at one time, now my wife and I are the only one producing them. Some Dancers loved them, because they didn’t have to bring the real thing into the arena. And those that didn’t have access to the real thing were grateful. They have been so popular that Tandy leather started to rip-off my casting’s as well as a couple of other companies that I did business with.
I had one customer coming through customs in Florida that was pulled aside and told to prove that they were not real. He told them that they would have pay for them if they scratched the color off. Another was detained by the forest service and their dance staff confiscated because he didn’t have paper work for the “Hawk Foot”. I also had a run in with Fish and Game that cost me $1600.00 dollars, some of the best advertising out there. Those are just a couple of stories, I am sure there are more.
RV: I apologize that I haven't seen any of your shows but was wondering if you could tell me more of the Native American theme that you incorporate into your act?
Frank: First off, I dress in period regalia or clothing of the late 1800’s. I prefer not to wear a loin cloth, unless they pay extra and it’s for a Bachelorette party. Hehehe…just kidding….“The Three Shell Game”, which I now call the “Four Shell Game”, was a sacred game that was played by almost all of the Nations on Turtle Island in one form or another. It was called the hidden ball game, the four tube game, the four moccasin game, the hand game, etc. It always involved four, since four is a sacred number. The game was played against sides, to determine who was going to be more successful in the coming year. There is a legend story which involves the animals to decide if it was going to be day or night all the time. In the story, the game was never finished, as you can see. I have a short and long story for the “game”. This is probably one of my favorite close-up effects.
My stories, props and magic all have a connection to my Native roots. I am part Coyote, Fox and Heyokah (Clown), so you never know what to expect at one of my shows!!!
RV: Could you please share your Native American heritage with us?
Frank: I am part Aztec, Apache and Hungarian. I just consider myself to be a Hungry Mexican. My Mom’s Family was from Chihuahua, Mexico and Dad’s family from Hungary. I was raised to be an “Urban Indian”. I was the youngest Eagle Scout at the age of twelve. Being in the Scout’s gave me a great appreciation of nature and how to live in the wild as well as survive in the City. That’s why I live in the mountains with my Family.
I regret not living on my people’s land, but also feel fortunate for being raised in the City. Some people have called me a Medicine Man and Shaman, but I can not claim those titles. I am a Healer and Magician through my word’s and action’s and I have touched many people. If I can help heal someone with Magic and laughter, then I am doing my job.
RV: What is the best part of your job and why?
Frank: The best part of my job is that it’s not a job but a career. I have been making a living being an Artist for almost my whole life. My Parent’s, never discouraged me from following my passion. How many people can say, “I love my job!” I make people happy for a living…. What can be better then that!!!!
RV: Please feel free to share any additional information with readers that I haven't asked.
Frank: You can buy my products online at blackfoxtradingandmagic.com. I also offer wholesale pricing for retailers. I want to travel and entertain more people around the world. I am available for Wedding’s, Bar mitzvah’s, Pow wow’s, gathering’s and Lectures. Please help me to help you have some fun!!!!
I would like to thank Frank for taking time out to provide this interview to Native Digest. You can check Frank’s site out to learn more of his crafts and shows at: blackfoxtradingandmagic.com If you are interested in adding Franks as a friend on Facebook please click here.
