A working artist gives thanks

I fell in love with the process, the lifestyle and working in an ancient art form. As a child, I made little pinch pots or animal figures. It was fun to sell them and have spending money. At 15, I sat under the portal at the Plaza selling my pots for $10 apiece. Some days I made money. Some days I didn’t.

I never felt that I was very good or naturally talented. A lot of my family members were. It was easy for them to create beautiful imagery. I decided to work extra hard and use what I had. I carved stick figures and cartoonlike animals all over my pottery. I just had fun with it, and developed my own style.

After high school, I enrolled at IAIA. Every class I took helped me. My pottery instructors showed me new ways to build and fire pottery. Painting classes helped me with color combinations. Anatomy in drawing class helped me give my stick figures a little bit of form. In sculpture class, we carved stone, sculpted with clay, used found and recycled materials, and welded metals.

My instructors also were working artists. They knew how to sell art as well as how to make it. Math classes helped with accounting and money management. English and creative writing classes assisted with writing my biography, composing essays for fellowships and grants, and with public speaking. I am still friends with many of the people I met at IAIA. I was among others just like me. We shared our dreams, stories and ideas with each other. I cherish these early years we had together.

I learned to keep challenging myself. If I am not nervous or excited, then I am not growing as an artist. My hands often hurt from my work, and selling one’s art can be challenging. It is physically demanding work, but we all know that nothing worthwhile is easy. I apply myself totally to my art, which reflects my life and background.

I am grateful to IAIA for the knowledge imparted to me and other artists regarding contemporary Native arts. I also acknowledge the Santa Fe community for your support and contributing to my success as an artist. Thank you, too, to the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, for honoring me as the 2017 Living Treasure.