September blessings- artist residency with Dancing Earth Creations in Colorado

Durango, CO

Indigenous femme artists: Venaya and Rulan Tangen,
Dancer Dancing Earth Creations

Mandala-inspired art creation by Venaya Yazzie.

The month of September has brought many blessings for me. The one blessing came in an opportunity to work with gifted artist Rulan Tangen. She is the founder and dancer of Dancing Earth Creations and world renowned dance troupe from Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA.

I was able to work alongside Rulan and her community of dancers, artists, elders and the art community of Durango in southwestern Colorado this passed week. During time we all collaborated on a plethora of art projects. I was able to be my full creative self and designed and implemented an interactive community mandala-inspired project. at the Center of Southwest Studies on the Fort Lewis College campus.

During this time I located and gathered various desert flora and fauna, including rocks and sand and also water from the Animas river - and make this temporary art installation piece pictured above. In the end this piece was used as inspiration for Rulan and her dancers and incorporated in her performance.

Each moment of this project as inspired by the season and nature. I am very grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such brilliant, creative Indigenous minds.

Indigenous artists bless

 Indigenous artists: Esther G. Belin (Poet), Gary Farmer
(Actor/Musician) and myself Venaya Yazzie

Greetings Friends and Relatives in and out of Indin'Country! The season of Autumn is here in the high desert southwest, I feel to very blessed to be amidst all of the change.

I share this image with you because it reveals the modern Indigenous artist(s). I have been blessed to have been a part of the annual Indigenous Fine Arts Market (IFAM) in Santa Fe, New Mexico again. This year the market took place August 18-29 in Santa Fe, NM in the SF Railyard District.

During those two-days I again was able to meet new people and re-connect with Indigenous artists. We all where their to show and sell our art, but also to unite and support each other. This IFAM experience has been a blessed one for me since its inaugural introduction in 2014. I plan to do be a participant in this market every year.

I love this capture for it depicts three modern Indigenous artists: Esther G. Belin (Poet), Gary Farmer (Actor/Musician) and myself Venaya Yazzie (Artist). Gary stopped by our share IFAM booth and greeted us and we all talked some about art and the market. He was genuine in his dialogue and expressed gratitude in being able to see all the Native artists in person at IFAM.

Though there was some turmoil at this year's IFAM event, we all got through it.
I look forward to next year because I know the real GOOD that IFAM brings to the autonomy and brilliance of the modern Indigenous artist.

Bless.

BlueBird Handbag

BlueBird Handbag made by Venaya Yazzie
Photo courtesy of Venaya Yazzie
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2016

I everything I create I strive to make it original. As I've posted before I was inspired to make these Blue.Bird bags by my grandmother, who was constantly re-using and thus making items with the bags.

With this new line of my bags I have decided on original screenprinting on the cotton fabric. Using black ink and the black ric rack and ribbon give definition to the new line of my Blue.Bird handbags. I also have added a handmade tassle for a signature.

Look for this new line at the Gallup Inter-tribal Ceremonial at Red Rocks State Park near Gallup, NM and at the Indigenous Fine Arts Market in Santa Fe, NM.

Update - Bead Fusion - Yazzgrl Art

Bead Fusion - Yazzgrl Art
Photo credit Venaya Yazzie
ALL RIGHSTS RESERVED 2016

Update on my 'Bead Fusion' project.

I am down to the wire on this project, I have eight days to complete including the presentation of if (framing it). And then it will be ready to view and purchase at the Indigenous Fine Arts Market in Santa Fe, New Mexico this August.

Maybe I'll see ya there!  Blessings

Trek the Nature

Trekkin' the Nature
Photo by Venaya Yazzie
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2016

Hiking the 'beautyful' outdoors is my favorite time in life. It is in the Nature that I am able to be humbled in a good way and find gratitude for the life I have.

This image was taken on a trek recently to the Santa Fe area. I was able to stop off and do some exploring in the mountain area.

This season is the best time to be outside trekking. For me its a time to become inspired by the randomness of the wild: the trees, plants, flora, water, and sky and animals.  I always find blessings in the outdoor treks. Enjoy it!

Blessings

Beadwork fusion - Yazzgrl Art

Yazzgrl Studio is my beadwork fusion by Venaya
PHOTO credit VENAYA YAZZIE
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2016

Recent works in the Yazzgrl Studio is my beadwork fusion.

As you may know I am a painter, but I also love doing beadwork.  One day I had the lightbulb go off and the Muse clapped and I was inspired to make something new!

I decided to fuse my painting imagery with my beadwork. This is the result. I am currently will working on this piece an will debut it later this month in Santa Fe, during the IFAM and Indian Market festivities.

I am happy about it.

Blessings.

Grandpa Yazzie - My Hero

Venaya's great-grandfather
Photo courtesy of Venaya Yazzie
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2016

Last week I was b l e s s e d to receive this image.

Even now when I look at this image tears gather like the desert monsoon clouds in my eyes... this 'beautyful' man pictured on the right is my maternal great-grandfather. This man is a hero. He is a hero I never knew. He passed on from this world before I could meet him - his name was Frank Padilla Yazzie. He was my late maternal grandfather's oldest son Alfred.

Since I never seen a clear image of him, this image means so, so much to me. I am so very thankful beyond words to have this image in my life. This image of a man with dark hair, headband, adorned in beautyful turquoise is branded in the hallways of my brain. This image of my chei has entered my life path, at the right time, and now I have come to realize how I 'see' life a bit different now.

Via my family oral history it is said my chei was a great Navajo 'singer. My 'papa' Alfred said his dad was a great singer and was revered in the Chaco Canyon / Kimbeto area for his singing. I know that is where my 'papa' Alfred was blessed also to be a great singer with a brilliant melody.

My late 'papa' Alfred used to tell me stories of his own childhood growing up near the wash north of the Chaco Canyon ruins. Since he lost his mother as an infant he and the rest of his siblings where raised by their father. As a "single" dad my great grandfather was a wearer of many hats to help support his kids. He worked at the local trading post, he wove rugs, we made jewelry, he sewed and so much more! With this knowledge of my chei I know this is where I also got my gift of being gifted in a multitude of different ways of the Creative.

He was a Dine' man of the To'aheedlini (or Two Waters Flow Together Clan) and he was a man of the Medicine way, and he was a singer and dance in the Navajo Yei-Bei-Chei dances.

...

I wish I could have known him - but he is forever a hero to me as are most of my family members.
I cherish the stories I have of him and I keep his 'resilient' way of survival as a part of my own personal mantra in life.  My love and adoration of for my great grandfather is immense, my 'cup runneth over.'

Blessings.

Sunday Blessings

I have always wanted to meet my maternal great-grandfather.

Last week an aunt gave me picture of him. It was a texted photo that she received from his oldest sister from Shiprock.

All I could do was tear up and cried some - to see the image of your great-grandfather's face is absolute healing....

I have been looking at the photo everyday since and I feel so blessed...

I will post this image soon and share his story and my story of 'indigenous adornment.'

Blessings.