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For me to describe my style, I would describe what I was feeling at the time, what it means to me and to Navajo culture. I never use a model when I work, my ideas come from my dreams and thoughts. When I work in a creative rhythm, like when I work for days on end and I don’t want to stop. It feeds on itself. When I carve, I don’t know what I am going to carve next. I like that – not knowing. I may begin with a face, add a shoulder and keep going. When I finish I can stand back and be surprised. It’s a good feeling. Many people have offered me support and encouragement throughout my life. It was my first grade teacher that gave me the first idea that I could be an artist. She used to let me draw in class and asked to keep the drawings. She gave me the encouragement to believe in myself. At an early age, I experienced cultures other than just Navajo or Indian and it gave me an openness towards all people - an openness to discovering our similarities, not just our differences. I like to work in stone, like Utah Alabaster, Italian Marble, Virginia Soapstone and Indiana Limestone. I start with these, then do a limited edition in bronze. Casting a bronze of my originals allows me to offer limited pieces of my work and without compromising my creativity. People have asked me what are my goals as an artist, and as a sculptor. I continually work to learn from each piece and start fresh and with a new stone and new ideas each time. I like to challenge myself. I might try new subjects like exotic animals, even a gorilla, to push myself to try new things. I look at my goals as a sculptor as goals for my life. My lifetime goals are for good health, happiness and to learn something for my children. I want to pass on my experiences to them in an effort to teach them from my mistakes and my successes. In my Navajo culture, many are losing their language and traditional ways. I am concerned for my children and grandchildren. My hope is to have all people, young and old, feel something good from seeing and touching my sculptures – something to help them feel good about Indian people and their culture.
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