Tell a little bit about how you first got into creating art.
I loved to color and draw from a very early age. What I didn’t expect was validation of any kind back then; I won a coloring contest in 3rd grade that offered prizes from a local drugstore, and I was shocked at what I received. My prize was a very big Crayola crayon set that was delivered to my home. It was very exciting for me to win something related to my creativity, and that experience created a core memory for me. I kept drawing throughout my childhood and won class competitions for logos. I also designed the cover of my elementary school’s yearbook. These are small accolades, but in retrospect, I really enjoyed them.
Information to note: I am a full-blooded Navajo and am an enrolled member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes (“CRIT”) located in Parker, Arizona. My maternal clan is Bitter Water (Todích'íí'nii) and my paternal clan is Big Water (Tot'soh'nii). I visited my grandparents on the reservation every so often, and my grandfather would always take time to sit down and draw with me. Wherever I went, I tried to keep a sketchbook and pencils with me – they were more of a comfort than anything else.
I often ask myself, “Will the person who is viewing my art feel the message I am trying to send? If a picture is worth a thousand words, how can I inspire the best ones?”
What artists or movements have had an impact on you?
The very first artist that had an impact on me is my maternal grandfather, John Scott Sr. He kept himself busy. He was always outside tinkering, painting on canvas or pottery, repairing or carving things, doing general woodworking, drawing, working with metals – just always creating something beautiful. He created the tribal seal for CRIT, which was the earliest primary source of motivation for me. I want to create and contribute to the tribes as well. Whenever I visit Parker, I see the tribal seal everywhere. The seal is beautiful and a constant reminder of my grandfather.
The second artist who had a big impact on me is Vincent Van Gogh. In middle school, an artist visited my class and taught us the basics of painting. Our class assignment was to recreate Van Gogh’s Starry Night. Since then, I’ve recreated Van Gogh’s painting a few times. I also attempted to do a Navajo-themed digital re-creation of Starry Night.
I believe that an artist can be either a healer or the healed
What themes does your work involve?
In the past, I really did not work with specific themes in mind. I spent my creative energy designing websites for people who needed them (family, friends, and volunteer work). I participated in logo contests and created graphic designs for fun (t-shirts, stickers, etc.). At that time, I was not yet familiar with digital art. I have several sketchbooks filled with a mish-mash of cartoonish figures, anime drawings, comic sketches, ideas for inventions, story ideas, rough drafts of poems, and other creative things.
In early 2022, my Great Aunt Christine sent me a link to a contest requesting Native American themed art to eventually be used in a book. That is when I started creating art with a specific theme – a Native American theme. My art submission was originally intended to be an illustration inside the book; however, my art ended up as the book cover instead! The book is called Wildlife Stewardship on Tribal Lands (available for purchase on Amazon). I received very positive feedback from everyone who reviewed the book, including the book’s editors. Additionally, an associate of mine who I am currently working with on another project, stated “I can do graphic design, but I can’t do art.” His words resonated with me. So, I thought to myself, “Why not create more?”
For my next project, I illustrated a boxed set of three children’s books. The books covered three subjects: colors, numbers, and animals. All books are written in four tribal languages of Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hopi, and Navajo.
My most recent submission is “Father Sky, Mother Earth” to Upward Gallery. I’ve been concentrating on more Native American themes in my art. I want to highlight the beauty of the reservation, native culture, native regalia, and infuse my art with bright eye-catching colors.
What is important to you about the visual experiences you create?
There is a word in the Navajo culture called “Hozho,” which is described to be “the most important word in the Navajo language and is loosely translated as peace, balance, beauty, and harmony. To be in “Hozho” is to be at one with and a part of the world around you.” (Source: https://bluffutah.org/what-is-hozo-2/)
Hozho is what I want people to experience through my art.
In addition, I want to invoke positive emotions. Some people find peace through music, reading a book, or exercising. I want people to find peace through my art.
In elementary school, there was a children’s book that was read to me that included hidden images within the background. The hidden images wouldn’t be noticed until you reached the end of the book. I loved the playful style in which the book was presented. Often times I will include my own hidden images within my art. I like to keep my art fun and playful.
An important aspect of my art is to create with a sense of purpose. I often ask myself, “Will the person who is viewing my art feel the message I am trying to send? If a picture is worth a thousand words, how can I inspire the best ones?”
Do you work from memory, life, photographs, or from other resources? Describe your creative process.
My creative process depends on the art piece I intend to create and who or what the art work is for. Some ideas come faster than others, and I am influenced from various places. I have a folder on my computer desktop called “INSPIRATION”. I often refer to that folder if there is a particular art piece that holds my attention. I try to analyze what makes an image so special. It could be something as simple as a color combination, layout, brush type, texture, or font style. Sometimes I get vivid dreams and sketch out or write down an idea before I forget. Some inspiration comes from moments when I have a random flurry of images swirl through my head, and I try to sketch out those ideas as fast as I can.
My creative process for this published piece started when I read Navajo stories on ‘sky’ related topics, and I came across the story of “Father Sky, Mother Earth”. An idea came to me immediately after reading the story, and I drew out the idea in a simple sketch, already envisioning the color combinations I wanted to use.
Ideas do not always come so quickly; there are times when an idea will take a long time to manifest, because I’m not in tune with the current theme/project. One particular project for a simple children’s horse-riding birthday banner turned out to take much longer than expected before I was satisfied with the artwork I designed.
What do you consider the role of an artist today?
I believe that an artist can be either a healer or the healed.
In a “healer” perspective, I think an artist wants to share their joy and love of art with people to help a person through hard times without knowing their art has helped someone. I have experienced both. I love seeing the reactions of my close family members when they see my artwork. To see my mother’s eyes light up when she saw my most recent art piece of “Father Sky, Mother Earth” validated my efforts to continue with my art.
Some examples include creating a pictorial memorial piece for someone who lost a beloved pet, a gift for a significant other, a t-shirt design to help someone with Autism, and a cookie logo to help a high school sell more cookies. I’ve always considered my personality and traits to be that of a supportive role.
For the “healed”, I think many artists create art because it gives them a sense of satisfaction, accomplishment, purpose, confidence, or even the help for others to overcome their inner struggles.
Do you have any artistic goals for the future that you would like to share?
I’d like to continue creating digital art. A mini project I hope to finish is a calendar to gift to my mom and family. I also want to complete a few side projects including finalizing illustrations for a children’s book that is currently in progress, and I want to create more commercial designs. Really, I just want to create more art that I love!
