Death of the Arts?

Return of the Yei

 For an all too brief summer we had hope. We dared to plan arts events. And as we put in place the preparation for another Angel Fire Studio Tour we became aware it had been two years since we had done any of this. But we soldiered on with hope. 

We dared to buy supplies and work on inventory to sell, dusted off the display cabinets and laid in supplies of N95 masks so we could keep ourselves and our customers safe incase the Delta Variant could not be contained within the boundaries of neighboring states. But since residents of those states escape the heat to come to the mountains so could the dreaded Darwin Covid. As it came time to pay the big bucks for brochures and advertising we caved. We could see the handwriting on the wall of the Governor's office. She might be playing nice because she was running for re-election but she considers art and art business non-essential.

We cancelled the studio tour but not the studios. We opted to go underground as it were. Who knows if without the advertising and promotions anyone will come to our open doors. But wear your mask and we will let you in to view our wares. And even sell them to you.

Artists must create. And while selling isn't necessary appreciation is. Yes, we can post on Facebook or websites and get appreciation. But that is different than watching someone try on a necklace or sling a fabric tote over their shoulder or muse about how that painting will look on their walls.

End of Days paintings

Black Dog Jewelry

Wild Goose Wizardry

Note about Return of the Yei: I am almost finished with Return of the Yei. It has sat on my easel covered with a cloth for over a year. The Yei were Navajo holy ones who returned to the land the people occupied in order to rescue them. Maternal Grandfather, Growling God, Black God, and Water Sprinkler were the first four deities encountered by the Navajo. They are honored in sand paintings, and woven into rugs, and with ceremony to return balance to the people. We are very out of balance and so I found it hard to work on the painting. Then it occurred to me I must work on it to bring balance back. Arts are part of that balance. A people without art will forever be out of balance.