Artist Statement
During my upbringing, I was instilled with ancestral knowledge and veneration of the land by my paternal grandmother who held the important role of cultural director in her community. In contrast, my maternal grandfather taught me the teachings of the Christian church which helped forge my integrity and spiritual strength. Both perspectives have been vital to the way I perceive the world and have allowed me to deeply connect with nature and human emotion. My works are inspired by traditional Native American teachings infused with the aesthetic of the Chicano neighborhoods of North Phoenix. I am deeply drawn to the aesthetic of tattoo art which is often placed playfully in my designs. The geometric rug designs alongside the Arizona flag colors and cityscapes are telling of my experience growing up in both Phoenix and the Navajo Reservation.