New Turquoise acquistions

These earrings were acquired this past weekend at the annual Autry Indian Art Market in Los Angeles, CA. They were hand made by Kewa (Santa Domingo Pueblo) artist Warren Nieto. I was able to purchase them directly from the artist.

Ghaajíí in my world, in my hair, in my talk

Ghaaji mocs
Photo by Venaya Yazzie
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2018

"Feelin' supa dope..." Hehe! I love fall, autumn, well, this time of season.  For us as Dine', we refer to this time of changing seasons as Ghaajíí. It does not literally mean "October" as no English word can truly live up to the Dine' language.

This weekend I was able to be present in my Navajo ancestral lands in Chinle, AZ. I was able to trek the land in the area of Canyon De Chelly. The place itself has been designated as U.S. National Park, but to us as Dine' it is and always will be our homelands. The area in the canyon is a sacred, holy place. It is a place of historic blessing but also violence and death by the hands of the American calvary.  But, we as Dine' we are resilient and we are still here, striving, existing.

But, I visited the place to pray and to give thanks for all that I have in my life as a Dine'/ Hopi woman.  The evening light was brilliant when I visited, and it felt as though the People were present, it was good.

I am so very thankful for the blessings I have received, this time of season is how I feel.

Enjoy your life, Creator's children.

Blessings All Around.

VJY

The work of an artist is never done!

The work of an artist is never done!

So, I usually find myself clearing a some space to eat on or near my art studio table. This past month has been very busy for  me - and I am constantly working between different art works. I thought I'd post of a pic of my food break. This week I ate some good ol' New Mexican Lotaburger, with green chile of course! 

It was so delicious and gave me much energy to keep working that Yazzgrl Art.

Blessings.

21st Dine' Studies Conf. Venaya presents 'Be Matriarch, Not Feminist...'

I am pleased and very blessed to be a presenter at the annual Dine' Studies Conference 2018 in Tsaile, AZ. I will be presenting my research on Dine' Matriarchy, Dine' Women, Dine' Asdzaa society and also will be on a panel.

BLESSINGS all Around!

Yazzgrl Art Earrings

Yazzgrl Art Earrings in a vintage suitcase (sticker by NSRGNTS)
Photo by Venaya Yazzie 2018
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

New Yazzgrl Art Earring designs now available in my Squareup Store site.

Yazzgrl Art Earrings

Visit soon to see them all!

Blessings all around

Original 'Be Matriarch' handbag designed by Venaya Yazzie at Yazzgrl Art Designs

Original 'Be Matriarch' handbag designed by Venaya Yazzie at Yazzgrl Art Designs
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2018

Newest handbag design I designed and created in homage to my desert matriarchs who have consistently used and upcycled the Four Corner area product, the Blue Bird Flour cotton bag.

BE MATRIARCH!
#bematriarch

'Be Matriarch' Original Handbags by Venaya Yazzie - Yazzgrl Art Designs

I have been busy as Autumn is approaching. Here is one image of my newest 'Be Matriarch' Original Handbags I designed and created. They are based on the concept of "re-purposing" in mind. This bag is made with 90% re-purpose items such as the duck canvas, zipper, leather, printed fabric and floral scarf.

In Beauty.

Dine' (Navajo) made turquoise cluster earrings

Dine' (Navajo) made turquoise cluster earrings
Photo credit: Venaya Yazzie 2018
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Pretty much all my life, I've been in the company of the revered southwest Indigenous gem: turquoise. Whether it is in its raw, unprocessed form or made into a modern Dine' jewelry piece, turquoise is the center of our Indigenous universe.  For thousands of years the Dine', the Pueblo and Apache have had turquoise within their narrative. In 2018 this mainstay is still at the center of many people's life.

Though mainstream American culture has adopted the personal adornment use of turquoise and have made it infamously trendy, turquoise use in North America is rooted withing the community of southwest Indigenous tribes.  It has origins in many of our Indigenous creation stories and stand as a type of amulet that perpetuates protection of self and spirit. But, I should also express that this mineral has also been used in the past by other global cultures including the people of Tibet and the royalty in ancient Egypt.

I share this image as a means of showcasing contemporary designs of modern Dine' silversmiths. I acquired this pair of Dine' turquoise cluster earrings one year at the annual Northern Navajo Nation Fair in Shiprock, New Mexico, USA.  For me the best way to buy such Dine'-made jewelry pieces is directly from the maker. So I must express that these were purchased by a Dine' artist who was walking, vending down the parade route in Shiprock.

I wanted to share this too because I hope you learned a little more about the use of turquoise. It is a valued mineral for more than just its monetary value, and its more about the spiritual and origin.

Bless.

Posted by Venaya Yazzie 

7/31/18

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2018