Myron Denetclaw Original Painting titled “Water Sprinklers” [SOLD]

“Water Sprinklers” is an original painting by Diné of the Navajo Nation artist Myron Denetclaw, a talented young Diné artist who creates images in the style of his traditionalist predecessors.  This piece is another excellent example of Denetclaw’s talent.  It uses a wide variety of beautiful colors and rich textures to form a depiction of a significant ceremonial sandpainting.

Navajo Nation artist Myron Denetclaw described the painting’s subject matter in detail: “The painting represents the sandpainting of the T’leji, or ‘Nightway ceremony’—a nine-day winter healing ceremony. The actual sandpainting is done on the fifth day of the ceremony, usually created and used in the afternoon. The painting shows the four different color figures of the sacred water sprinkler deities, Tonenili. The figures carry water jars, spruce, gourd rattles, and fringed tobacco pouches bound together with a rainbow. Above their masks are birds represented in the ceremony—blue birds, yellow warblers, green tailed towee, etc. In the songs sung during the sandpainting ceremony, the deities are giving pollen to the birds that carry prayers for healing and calling for rain/moisture. The deities stand on a rainbow. As in the stories and prayers, they travel by rainbow. Guiding the water sprinklers is Hache’yalti, or ‘Talking God’.  He stands on the far left of the painting. Surrounding the sandpainting is the guardian rainbow deity who wears the mask belonging to the nightway ceremony.  Each deity wears a decorative kilt, pouch, tassels, and fringes.”

The painting is signed Denetclaw in the lower right.  It is framed in a wood frame, under two layers of matting in tan and blue tones.

Myron Denetclaw was born on September 5, 1999 in Shiprock, New Mexico.  He resides in Shiprock with his family. His maternal clan is Táchiiníí and his paternal clan is Hooghanłání.  Denetclaw paints in the style of traditional Diné painters Harrison Begay and Beatien Yazz.   He also cites the naturalism of Bob Ross as an influence. Denetclaw has received awards and accolades for his paintings, including Best of Show awards from a variety of respectable institutions.  Denetclaw is currently studying studio arts at Diné College in Shiprock.

Condition: original condition

Provenance: this Myron Denetclaw Original Painting titled "Water Sprinklers" is directly from the artist

Recommended Reading: NAVAJO PAINTING by Katherin Chase