Southwest.INDIGENOUS native.

I truly believe in destiny and so I feel that everyday I wake I must fulfill that path that was made just for me.

I was born in the fall in the high desert southwest on the sovereign Dine' (Navajo) Nation. I was born among strong, spiritual Indigenous matriarchs, they raised me up to be the image of their best ways of being. I am happy about this.

I have recognized that my destiny is to ensure that their matriarchal ways are not forgotten and that they are perpetuated into the 21st century.

So, I ADORN myself on a daily basis. I wear my turquoise and sometimes white shell or abalone to show my respect for the beliefs and custom of tribal identity for my elder matriarchs.

In the Navajo way, we have a specific (holy) word for ADORNMENT. It is a great word that perfectly describes the sacred action of Navajo Adornment. This word is not stagnant, it is verb-oriented, it holds power and speaks volumes about such an act. I am thankful this word is a part of my daily vocabulary and dialogue. This word blesses me: above, below, in front and in back. I am balanced.

Nizhonigo Naasha.in every way. Everday.

Inspiration.EarART



EarART Designs by Venaya Yazzie


As a part of my work in the area of INDIGENOUS ADORNMENT practices in the 21st century I have created a line of earrings for ADORNMENT purposes.

My earrings are inspired by my original Art Paintings and are made on light weight Balsa wood.
You can visit my website at
www.earartdesigns.weebly.com


Blessings

EarART Designs.by Venaya

EarART Designs by Venaya Yazzie

The designs featured here are my own designs. I began making a version of these earrings in 2009 and was inspired by the images of women I paint. One day a collector of my paintings jokingly if I could make her a necklace of my small paintings. I did, and from that first jewelry piece I expanded my vision and started making the EarART jewelry via earrings.

 I am happy to say that ART can be worn as jewelry, the wearer of the piece is wearing Fine Art on their ears.  What could be more of a blessing!