FINAL

Here we are at the final steps ,I'm glazing on thin layers all over the painting , adding shade and detail .This is a slow part ,I even bring it up from the studio so I can view it as much as possible before adding more layers. I like how Airy and Fresh this painting is and have to be careful not to add too much .The main colors I use for Glazing is Minnesota Pipestone and Lapis Azule and a little Sedona Red .I treat the body just as I do the Landscape using the same colores in the Glazes.

Middle Round

When I paint, I move in a circle and focus on getting the paint on every part of the canvas. This is the middle stage and everything is very light and fresh, allowing the base coat to peek through.

I view my work as a close collaboration with my Models. Since most of my painting are rooted in contemporary native culture I seek to gain knowledge from the models themselves.

"Balance": A painting on my easel which I will show in progress step-by-step via this blog is such an example. It is a vision of Navajo beauty.

Here is a quote from the model herself:

"Ya'at'eeh. My name is Tiffani Begay. I am of the Big Water Clan, born for the Salt People Clan. My maternal clan is of the Bitter Water people and my paternal clan is of the One That Walks Around people. I am a young Navajo woman pursuing my dreams while accelerating my education in a nursing degree. I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends as well as helping people."

Behind Tiffani is the beginning of Grand Junction, Colorado.

I attack the empty white space with venetian colored gesso, a little lapis blue, and splash of water. I have added another character~ Da-he- Tih- hi, the Hummingbird. The Navajo code talkers used this little warrior as the code word for Fighter plane in WWII.

Will Tsosie, a Navajo historian, said: "The Da-he- Tih- hi was often captured by traditional people, then very gently dipped into corn pollen and finally released. This was done in the hope of capturing their speed."

I now head into oil~ inviting the colors of ochre, sedona red and lapis.

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to my Blog where you will be able to view my creative process. You can see my current works in creation, read about my inspirations and additional comments.

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~David Joaquin