I did another watercolor journal entry of an Indian child in an elaborate costume. I have kept art journals for many years, and have been enjoying pastels and watercolors since I was a kid, as my mom was an artist.Some people emailed me and asked me how I landed up on the Navajo Reservation in Monument Valley. I took the Civil Service Exam, I scored well, and then I got called to a job position rather quickly. Besides having my degree in English Education, I had gotten my Certification in Teaching English as a Second Language and also in Special Education. I then got permission from my principal to take a year's hiatus, and so I was off to Arizona.I had one of the best experiences in my life there!
The Navajo children were so sweet and I learned so much from them. The first Navajo word that they taught me was " ya'at-eeh", which would be pronounced like "yah-ah-t-ah." They Navajo refer to themselves as "the Dineh" or "the People". Children didn't have too much time for play. Boys hunted and fished with their fathers, and the girls had many chores, but the mothers made their daughters beautiful, handmade dolls, and they were crafted with great skill. That is where I developed a real love for handmade, cloth dolls.
The magazine giveaway will be in the first week of January, so I will hold that on January 2nd.
Teaching them was a joy, but they taught me so much more. They told me many stories about the Navajo people and discussed their customs and traditions. They throughly loved when we studied poetry, as they wrote wonderful poems about their culture. They also enjoyed seeing my pastels and watercolors in my art journals, and I had each of them start their own journal too, which was an instant hit. We went on day trips where we wrote in our journals and painted.
Besides, falling in love with the people,I was amazed with the stark and incredible beauty of the Navajo Reservation in Monument Valley, and boy is Monument Valley magical!
Anyways, I wanted to remind you that tomorrow is my Irish giveaway. I will be giving away the latest copy of the Irish Quilting Magazine, which will be mailed directly to the winner from Irish Quilting, which is located in Wicklow. Then I will also mail to the winner a special Irish package that I have put together....That will be my surprise package.
The magazine giveaway will be in the first week of January, so I will hold that on January 2nd.
Enjoy your day! I will be sewing a bit.
25 comments:
What beautiful work you do, Micki. I can imagine how much you brought away with you from your wonderful experience. It sounds like it was the perfect time in your life for that job too.
I was surfing on the net and saw your comment on a project from Moda Bake Shop. You have the same name as I do and I was so impressed by it because you like to quilt like I do. So I thought I would say hello and thank you for all your information and I truely enjoyed reading your blog.I am new at quilting but I really love it. I have been making quilts for my 16 great grand children.
I love seeing your journal pages and the stories behind them. You have a wonderful style of your own.
Debbie
Your sketches are amazing, Micki!
:) Micki~
Loved your watercolor & accompaning memory of the time you spent with the Native Americans! It sounds as if you have been an traveler & adventurer since youth :)
So far I recall you are from PA, taught in AZ & now live in Ireland...any other great travels?
Your friend in NC
What an amazing experience that must have been Micki. I love that you are now revisiting that time though your journals and sharing the stories with us.
Before my husband died, we had planned on retiring in New Mexico. It really is a very spritual place. I can understand why you learned so much there.
Nice use of color on the watercolor, Micki. When I was a child we lived for several years in a town in New Jersey where the streets were named after Indian tribes. We live on Navajo Way!
O Micki!
How awesome! I had never thought of a painting journal! How spiritual is that! Like - BIGTIME! :)
Marvelous work dear Micki, and the story even more, I'm so happy that I find you over dear Simona, and hope that one day we meet each other, as I met her and other dear bloggers. A lot of kinds regards. Loredana.
So very interesting Micki! What year were you there?
What beautiful watercolors - and what an interesting life you've led!
Loving these journal posts with art work, Micki, but you knew that. ;)
What a wonderful idea...a painting journal. Your work is beautiful. What a unique experience you had and to have recorded it with your wonderful talent. Thank you for sharing. Nola
Wow another giveaway. Maybe I'll win this time.
Like your Watercolors.
Pam In Virginia
As i have said before Micki, you are very talented, i would love to be able to sketch instead of just doing stick figures.
Hugs
Lois
Thanks for sharing your experiences -Micki! I entered your draw awhile ago. I am getting ready to have a draw of my own to celebrate 100 posts.
Life is indeed an interesting journey.
Warmest regards,
Anna
What a wonderful experience Micki. Your journal and drawings are amazing. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you for a beautiful post and waiting for the giveaway.
My computer connection is down and the library is closed from tomorrow for 3 days so I do hope the connections work soon!!!
Wow. I love Monument Valley, too. I worked for San Juan School District for a year, too...and so did my husband. He was principal of Lyman Middle School in Blanding, UT, and I was the Staff Developer for Montezuma Creek Elementary School (all Navajo) that year. I LOVED my experience that year. It was a hiatus for me that year, too...A year off from teaching in higher education to work with teachers on helping them improve their reading instruction skills. (My background is also special education and elementary education.) It was truly an amazing experience. I studied the Navajo language a little while I was there, bought a wonderful Navajo rug and lots of great pottery, and really got to know some of the people well. I participated in many fun events as well. Thanks for sharing your story!
What a beautiful portrait! An English major, too?
Micki, you are a very good artist! And you have had some adventures, haven't you? We visited with the Hopi for a few days and even that short time was enough to win my heart. I'm not sure I could have left after a year!
Love the journal works. Wish I could get myself into that habit, maybe after I retire in a few years.
Beautiful watercolor picture, is there anything that you can't do? I don't think so lol.
yah-ta-ey....that is the only word I can remember from our visit to Chinle and Canyon de Chelly....beautiful county. Fantastic watercolor, so glad you showed it!!
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