A Mural by the Masters
“In this mural, we connected. It flows – the colors, the lines, it unifies nicely.” Johnson Yazzie says that sometimes the artists work on the same plane even though their styles are different. Three master artists came together in Window Rock to create a masterpiece. Baje Whitethorne, Sr. and Irving Toddy wielded brushes with Yazzie for two days on a warm weekend in June and left their mark on the community.
The new mural is available for all to see inside the Enterprise Center at the Navajo Nation Shopping Center in Window Rock, AZ. The mural, a priceless gift, brings together the beauty of Navajo people, Navajo land, skies, culture, craftsmanship, and Navajo pride. The mural creates one more of many free attractions to see on the Navajo Nation. The mural wall backs the shop belonging to Beverly Blacksheep of Blacksheep Originals. Beverly added a few strokes of her own to the painting and anticipates adding mural images to some of her merchandise.
Baje Whitethorne, Sr., Johnson Yazzie and Irving Toddy have deep cultural roots on the Navajo Nation though each grew up in different areas of the nation. Their art has brought them together, finding strength in their unity. They listen and learn from one another. They understand what it takes to be successful in this business. They know it requires discipline and consistency. It requires challenging oneself for growth and the ability to continually create something fresh.
As masters of art, they have all won awards and attained success in a challenging career. The paths each have followed, as boys growing up in a world foreign to most, are fascinating. Each path has led to a junction that brought each man together as brothers that share art, common goals, families, and joy in giving back to the community.
The three artists will return to Window Rock, AZ from Friday through Sunday, September 10 – 12, presenting the Navajo Art Walk along the façade at Navajo Nation Shopping Center. This will be held at the same time as the Navajo Nation Fair. The event will consist of a wide variety of notable artisans displaying their exquisite work in an area easily accessible with free admission to the public. Entertainment, Navajo traditional food vendors and art workshops for children will all be part of the fun.
For more information, contact Navajo Tourism, at 928.871.6436 or info@discovernavajo.com.
Baje Whitethorne, Sr.
928.853.1854
bajewsr@bajewhitethornesr.com
www.BajeWhiteThorneSr.com
Johnson Yazzie
928.535.9001
JJYazzieArts@gmail.com
www.JJYazzieArts.com
Irving Toddy
928.871.5345
itoddy@hotmail.com
www.salinabookshelf.com/irvingtoddy.aspx