Original Painting “With Gratitude in the Corn Field #3” [SOLD]

Born a short distance from Shonto Trading Post in Arizona, Shonto Begay spent his childhood in the traditional Navajo manner, learning to herd sheep and live in harmony with the seasons. His mother was a weaver and his father a medicine man. After attending Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding schools, he received an associate degree from the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe and a bachelor’s degree from the California College of Arts and Crafts. He began painting professionally in 1983 and has since been the recipient of multiple awards and has been featured in shows in major museums across the country. 

Shonto Begay’s work is unique among Native American artists. His work is characterized by multiple small brush strokes reminiscent of the work of European Impressionists.  In this Native American painting, his distinctive brushwork brings to life two Navajo Grandparents. The Chei and the Shima-sani (Navajo for maternal grandfather and grandmother) are dancing joyously in their cornfield and under a rainbow, the symbol of protection, in celebration for the rain.  The artist brings a feeling of movement and emotion to the subjects in his work. The colors evoke cheerfulness, bringing to mind the feeling of accomplishment or completion of an arduous task.

The painting is framed in the manner in which the canvas is wrapped around the supporting frame, without the addition of a wood frame around the art—known as gallery framing.

Condition: original condition

Recommended Reading: Santa Fe Indian Market: Showcase of Native American Art by Sheila Tryk. Tierra Publications, 1993.  This publication is currently not available from Adobe Gallery

Provenance: the painting was purchased from the artist in 1998 by the current owners, Marvin and Betty Rubin.