Fine Art Images from the American Southwest

Tag: Navajo Nation

White House Ruin, Desert Varnish, Canyon De Chelly, AZ

White House ruin, Navajo sandstone cliffs with desert varnish in Canyon De Chelly, Arizona. The ancient ones sure knew good placement for living space when they saw it and many descendants still reside it the canyon and what a place it is. I’ve had the privilege to visit this sacred place three times during the last four years and many times more over the last forty years. I look forward to visiting again soon. White House ruin can be accessed by trail or with a Navajo guide, when it reopens. Prints are available. Thanks for looking. G

White House Ruin, Desert Varnish, Canyon De Chelly, AZ

Shiprock, Sun Star, Northwestern New Mexico

Shiprock with sun star, northwestern New Mexico. This is a large panorama from a couple of years ago. One of my favorite views in northwestern New Mexico. I was able to line up the sun through a fracture in one of Shiprock’s many black dikes composed of igneous rocks. I would have been there this year too, again, the current situation forced us to postpone a two week photo workshop around the southwest. This down time has enabled me to pull some images I hadn’t yet delved into. You can read more on Shiprock and it’s geology here on Wikipedia. Thanks for looking. G

Shiprock with sun star, northwestern New Mexico.

Navajo National Monument, Northern Arizona

Navajo National Monument is located within the northwest area of the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona. It’s a bit of a hike down to the ruins. The monument is currently closed for obvious reasons. This image is from 2013. We were the only ones on the trail this particular trip. I’ve returned a couple of times since and never hiked down. I seem to visit here off season. It’s a beautiful place. Thanks for looking. G

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Close up of the Navajo National Monument

Spider Rock Canyon De Chelly, Arizona

Spider Rock, Canyon De Chelly, Arizona. Spider Rock, a sandstone spire that rises 750 feet (229 m) from the canyon floor at the junction of Canyon de Chelly and Monument Canyon. This picture I post in honor of F. Ted Henry of Chinle, Arizona. Rest in peace and shine on Ted. Thank you for sharing your stories. G

Spider Rock, Canyon De Chelly, Arizona.

F. Ted Henry. Canyon de Chelly

F. Ted Henry, was a jeweler and craftsman who displayed and sold his stunning work at the White House Ruin in Canyon de Chelly (Tséyiʼ in Navajo), Arizona. 

Highway 163, Monument Valley, Arizona

Highway 163, Monument Valley, Arizona. “Run Forrest Run”…  in circles. I spoke to a Navajo artisan, at his roadside stand, as to why people aren’t stopping in anymore. His answer “F*****g Forrest Gump. Everyone stops at mile marker 13 where Forrest Gump stopped running in the movie and they take a selfie.” Go figure. We watched a large group of bikers blocking the highway for multiple selfies, only to hop on their bikes moments later and head east. Another tourist ran in place while his partner made a video. A third, we observed, leapt up in the air, legs and arms spread as if announcing … I’m here I made it. WTH! A short distance west I stopped and made images of these donuts in the highway. I can’t imagine the motivation for these. I bought a little piece from a Navajo vendor. Thanks for looking. G

Highway 163, Monument Valley, Arizona