Spaniards in Navajo Lands

Hand made pastels on hand made bark paper (made by the Otomi tribe)

Framed, float mounted on Suede mat under plexi, hand made frame. 80 X 32"

The original pastel artwork has luxurious texture due to the buttery pastel on the thick hand made bark paper. This paper is the oldest know paper in the western hemisphere and dates back to 75 CE. Originally called Amate, this paper was used to decorate the outside of huts and is considered a magical and sacred paper, used for many crafted items and images.

I have used Amate paper for my "Contemporary primitive" pastels for over 30 years. I was fortunate to meet and have a great relationship with a maker of the best quality Amate paper, and still buy directly from them.The pastels I use are called Unison, each one hand rolled and and formulated with the highest pure pigment in the UK. They are the best pastels I have ever found. You can watch a fascinating video on how they are made in small batches by John Hersey on their website.

The pairing of these pastels on the Amate bark paper is simply perfect for the building up of many layers of texture, resulting in a sumptuous feast for the eyes. This artwork comes already framed. Typically my pastels are float mounted on Suede Mat in a color that complements the art.

~I will be selling a new series of limited edition of prints made from this original.~

HISTORY

    Spaniards & Navajos is the story of the entry by Spanish conquerors into the lands that the Navajo called home. Don Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, a Spanish explorer, leads an expedition of soldiers from Mexico into the American southwest in search of gold.

They arrive and discover the Hopis during the summer of 1540, where Navajos were already living in the Hopi province. The first recorded contact between Navajos and the Spanish invaders came in 1583 in the area of Dinetah.

When the Spaniards arrived in the Southwest, they brought with them domestic animals such as cows, horses, and sheep. (They also brought with them guns and tools, which were all new to the Indians.)

The Navajo quickly became excellent horsemen, and a new way of life was begun.

By 1776, the region lying between the Rio Grande Pueblos and the Hopi village was known to the Spaniards as the Provence of the Navajos.  By this time, the Navajos had acquired thousands of sheep and horses they were more mobile and they could farm to a greater extent while their tribe was growing in number. (Shown in my pastel series "The Wealth of Many Ponies" .

Cecilia Henle pastel artwork in the Contemporary Primitive series have been shown in galleries across the country for over 30 years, licensed in a gift line of products, and prints, and sold in locations such as the Grand Canyon gift shop.

For a commissioned artwork in this style, please email the artist. Turn-around for a pastel commission is 4-6 weeks.

Thank you for  stopping by!