Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Pictographs and Petroglyphs


I learned the difference between a pictograph and a petroglyph at Canyon Tsegi. A pictograph is drawn or painted on top of the rock, a petroglyph is carved or etched into the rock. There is a great book called A Field Guide to Rock Art Symbols of the Greater Southwest by Alex Patterson. It has lots of photos and drawings of different symbols, grouped by type and tells what they represent.
My guide at Canyon Tsegi, a young Navajo guy named Rolando, was really knowlegeable about where to find some of the many drawings there, and even let me sketch them. We talked about his culture and he even coached me in my pronunciation of the few Navajo words I know. We rode around for a couple of hours and had a great time. He was friendly and had a great creative, quick sense of humor. He talked about his people and how hard it is there on the reservation to support himself and his young family. He also talked about the loss of the Navajo culture among the youth, especially the language. I encouraged him to teach his baby daughter his language despite her mother's objection. It was a real treat to be able to speak so openly and honestly with him!

So here is a sketch of a female figure from one of the sites at Canyon Tsegi.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Canyon Tsegi (de Chelly)

This is the place where I will post my sketches. I'm an avid outdoors person and an artist. My favorite thing to do is get outdoors and when I'm there, I love to draw! So I schlep my sketchbook and art supplies with me whenever I go 'walkabout'.

In this blog I plan to approach hiking and backpacking from an artist's point of view. I'll let you know what I bring with me, what works, what doesn't, and whether it's worth it to lug the extra weight around in the long run.

I'll also post my photos when I can, but mainly I'll feature my sketchbook.

I'm looking for feed back from other artists and hikers, and would love to generate fresh ideas for making it easier for us art buffs to 'get out there' and draw in nature!

So, with that I'll post some artwork I did and let you decide.

This picture came from a trip to Canyon de Chelly (Tsegi). It's a sketch of the "White House" ruin. This is the only unescorted trail you can hike in Canyon Tsegi. All other access has to be with a Navajo guide. The canyon is absolutely gorgeous and well worth the price of a horseback ride. It's a sacred place to the Navajo, and has been continuously inhabited by them for hundreds of years. Go there to see Spider Rock, and lots of other sacred places. It's worth the trip.

See you on the trail!

Liz