Fine Art Images from the American Southwest

Tag: Navajo

Navajo Elder, Annie, Arizona, 2011

Navajo Elder, Annie, Arizona, 2011. Back in May 2011, I visited a Navajo elder named Annie. I worked with a writer on a story, telling of the plight of the Navajos elders living on their land within the Hopi reservation. That’s another story for another time. In this instance, Annie told the story of the freezing cold night she spent with her horse in the creek when it got lodged in the mud embankment. She and her horse were pulled to safety the next morning by neighbors. At the time Annie was already 100 years old. This picture was taken a year later. Annie illustrated her ordeal by drawing on the sand in the horse and sheep corral. I added a photo below. When I visited, Annie and her horse (it’s name eludes me now), were both doing well. Thanks for looking. G

Navajo Elder, Annie, Arizona, 2011.

Navajo Elder, Annie, Arizona, 2011.

White House Ruin, Canyon De Chelly, AZ

White House Ruin in Canyon De Chelly National Monument, Arizona. It was wonderful and cool standing in the shadows of the White House Ruin in Canyon de Chelly today. It’s obvious to see why the original inhabitants built the dwellings where they did. Cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Take a tour some day with the guides at Beauty Way Jeep Tours. They will share their stories and home with you. Thanks for looking. G

White House Ruin Canyon De Chelly

Canyon De Chelly, Arizona

Canyon De Chelly, Arizona. Cruising the overlooks this evening to get some images of the canyon from the south rim. Tomorrow morning a tour with Navajo guides on the valley floor with many water crossings. Should be fun. Stay tuned and thanks for looking. G

Canyon De Chelly, Arizona

F. Ted Henry. Canyon de Chelly

RIP F. Ted Henry

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

On our annual photo trip this year to the four corners region of the southwest, we met Ted, in Canyon de Chelly. He greeted us warmly “Ya at eeh” and as we were already marveling at his jewelry, offered to show us something special. I feel sure he has shared his story with thousands of other visitors to his display stand at the White House Ruin. In my case, meeting Ted and hearing his story, had a profound effect and will leave a lasting impression. His smiling face and open, friendly nature was beguiling. He asked if I knew who Ansel Adams was? I answered, “I did”. He proceeded to open a coffee table size book to a page of a Navajo woman holding an infant on a cradle board. I am very familiar with the image and recognized it immediately. It is a personal favorite and is synonymous with Canyon de Chelly. I started to get tummy flutters as I anticipated where he might be going with this story. The Navajo tradition of story telling is not wasted on Ted. He dove in to how he first saw the image later in life, when a friend showed him the book with a picture of his mother and infant brother. He didn’t know for so many years that this image by Ansel Adams existed. His story continued until he laid a photo down of his mother made fifty years later, holding the Ansel Adams book open to the pages, in the exact location where he photographed her in 1942. Ted said we were welcome to make a portrait of himself holding the book and the companion photo. His smile and pride were palpable as the light in the canyon. I was quite overwhelmed by his gracious nature and the time in his presence. I made a few images of Ted under one of the cottonwood trees in the reflected light from the canyon walls, and beaming so bright I was glad to be wearing sunglasses. Thanks for looking. G

F. Ted Henry. Canyon de Chelly

Ted’s card shown below says… “Ya at eeh (greetings) – Welcome to the heart of the Navajo Nation, Canyon de Chelly, where Ansel Adams took a photo of my mother Rose Henry holding my brother Ben Henry in a cradle board in 1942 (top). The Bottom photo is 50 years later at the very same spot at the bottom of White House Trail”  And then “Hozhoodoo – In beauty and in harmony”  Teds, website.

F. Ted Henry navajo mother and infant

Here’s the Ansel Adams image

navajo woman and infant 4738601

“Navajo Woman and Infant, Canyon de Chelle, Arizona.”
[Canyon de Chelly National Monument], 1933 – 1942.

White House Ruin, Canyon de Chelly, Arizona

White House Ruin, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona. When returning from a prolific image making trip, I like to wait some time before reviewing the photos. I like the feelings, sights, sounds and scents from the locations visited to sink in, to take hold.  The image, often times upon review, will reflect those feelings back to me. I think that is the reason I can remember almost every picture I’ve made.

Tomorrow I will post another image from Canyon de Chelly with a tender story, that will commit this place to my memory forever. As always, thanks for looking. G

White House Ruin, Canyon de Chelly, Arizona

Spider Rock Canyon de Chelly (Tséyiʼ)

Spider Rock in Canyon de Chelly (Tséyiʼ in Navajo) National Monument, Arizona. “A sandstone spire that rises 750 feet (229 m) from the canyon floor at the junction of Canyon de Chelly and Monument Canyon.” I know it doesn’t look anything like that high in this image but when I’m standing in it’s shadow and the sun peeps over the tip of the spire and lights me up, it is awesome. If you haven’t visited Canyon de Chelly do it with the folks at Beauty Way Jeep Tours. Ben was our guide and we met up with TJ who demonstrated the use of the ancient Atlatl hunting weapon. Thanks for looking. G

Spider Rock Canyon de Chelly (Tséyiʼ)