Is Shonto Begay a poet?
They loved our session on portraits — air crackling with excitement kind of “loved.” It helped to have a wonderful model image and poem from Shonto Begay’s book, Navajo. Mr. Begay was kind enough to answer questions the kids had about his poem, and his life as an artist and author. I’ll share those later today.
Where does Shonto Begay live?
Kayenta
Begay has worked as a National Parks ranger in Arizona and Wyoming and in 1983, began to paint professionally. He later moved back to his Navajo reservation in Arizona and currently lives in Kayenta, where he works on his art in a hogan located about 30 miles away from his house.
Can art save lives?
Art can, quite literally- save lives. First with the artist themselves telling stories that release their feelings and communicate their experiences, connecting them to the world. The healing power of art has been evident with actors, musicians, writers, painters, and artists throughout time.
What is Shonto Begay famous for?
Begay is the author of The Mud Pony (1988), winner of the Owl Award for Illustration; Ma’ii and Cousin Horned Toad (1991); and Navajo: Visions and Voices Across the Mesa (1995) and illustrated The Magic of Spider Woman (1996) and among others.
How will you explain beauty in art?
Beauty is commonly described as a feature of objects that makes these objects pleasurable to perceive. Such objects include landscapes, sunsets, humans and works of art. Beauty, together with art and taste, is the main subject of aesthetics, one of the major branches of philosophy.
Why do we need art?
Art gives us immeasurable personal and social benefits. We rely on the arts to help us through difficult times. Art reminds us that we are not alone and that we share a universal human experience. Through art, we feel deep emotions together and are able to process experiences, find connections, and create impact.
How does an artist make money?
The majority of an artist’s revenue comes from touring, selling merchandise, licensing their music for things like television, movies, or video games, and partnerships or side businesses. Streaming is often thought of as the future of music and can provide artists with a nice source of income.
What is the 9th art?
In France and Belgium, the term bande dessinée, which derives from the original description of the art form as drawn strips—analogous to the sequence of images in a film strip—has been given the honor of being referred to as the 9th art since the 1960s.
What color art sells best?
Red paintings sell best. Studies have shown that paintings with red, orange, and other warm colors sell for the most at auctions. Blue is a close second in terms of sales. Paintings with colors at the warm or cool end of the spectrum sell because these color extremes create a strong emotional response in the art buyer.
Who is Shonto Begay?
Born in a hogan and raised on Dineh’ land, known as the Navajo Nation, Shonto Begay began professionally writing, illustrating and painting in 1983. His work captures the striking beauties of a traditional Navajo upbringing and the harsh realities of modern reservation life. Represented in galleries and museums worldwide, he was one of 16 children.
Who was William Shonto?
Represented in galleries and museums worldwide, he was one of 16 children. His mother is a traditional Navajo rug weaver from the Bitter Water Clan and his father was a medicine man born to the Salt Clan. Shonto grew up herding sheep in Kletha Valley, located in Shonto, Arizona.
What does Shonto mean?
“Shonto” in Dineh’ translates to sunlight on water — a reflection of light on the canyon wall from the flowing water. My journey as an artist is to document my life and the world as I see through the lens I was born with through my Navajo experience while negotiating the modern.