The Taos Art School
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Navajo
Painting Sacred Sand Paintings Faculty: JOHN L. KING About Our Faculty Check our Schedule for dates (Feel free to call for details) $575 |
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Ya ah’tee, whoshdaa’ya iinah doo nizhoni ‘lii diyin nil ‘ii("Welcome, come in and see Nizhoni Spirit Horse") Sacred
sandpaintings, made during traditional ceremonies, were the
first painterly expression of the Navajo People, or Diné. These
flat, colored images, with very fine lines and details, evolved
into a style of painting referred to as the Native American
Traditional Style. Today, using opaque watercolors, the Navajo
artist creates This workshop is a rare opportunity to learn both how to paint in this style, as well as to understand some of the Culture behind it. Class takes place under the shady arena of a local barn where there will be a horse in class at all times. We will start the day with a traditional story told by John, who will then explain some of the meaning behind it, including traditional symbolism. Each student is guided to create a pencil drawing of the horse in the story. We will paint directly on the drawings with our opaque (gouache) watercolors and will be guided in the hands-on fine detailed finish. Each student will go home with several fine examples of this beautiful art. Some previous drawing experience will be helpful, however, beginners are welcome. |
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Born into the Iyanbito’ (Buffalo Springs) community of the Navajo Reservation,
John King was raised within the traditional Diné family environment
that is reflected in his art. By the time he had reached the age of five winters, he had instinctively become an artist. His latent artistic ability twined with watching the elders during curing ceremonies as they produced their traditional and beautiful sand paintings. John’s great-grandfather was a traditional medicine man whose use of sacred sandpaintings helped to restore the harmonic balance between the patient and his environment. John’s vision is to create images just as his father and grandfather did before him. |
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"My
paintings reflect relationships I envision of experiences between
a subject and its environment. I strive to recreate a harmonic
connection with symbolic representation in the form of a Yei’
(God) or spirit. I consider my paintings as expressive and reverent
in capturing the connection between the Indian people and the
spiritual world where the Yeis and the creatures exist in harmony,
balance and beauty." |
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Check
out the feature article on John King's beautiful art in the Summer
2004 |
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TAOS ART SCHOOL
Web site created and maintained by: AngelStar Creations |
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beautiful works of art, each painting telling a tale woven with
respect for the traditions, culture, and religious beliefs of
the Diné.