During the years I lived in California, and after reading several Tony Hillerman novels, I enjoyed many trips through the southwest with its spectacular natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. While visiting various pueblos and archeological sites, I developed a deep reverence for native culture.
A few years ago, I was presented with a challenge to create a graphic series depicting opposing forces. Inspired by my trips to the southwest, I chose to focus on the natural balance between the opposing forces of:
Although I come from European ancestry, I am an American and I honor those that came before us and left such a rich tapestry of art, architecture, ceremony, and stories. These pieces are my tribute to the original inhabitants of our lands and the legacy they left for us.
Please enjoy some of the special places I visited in the southwest by viewing the video below, with photography by my husband and music by Peter Kater and R. Carlos Nakai.
Now, more than ever, the special places represented in the video need protection. The recent reduction in Bear's Ears National Monument and the ensuing mining claims are insults to the many tribes in the area and concerned citizens who worked for years to preserve these precious and sacred grounds. Exploiting spaces sacred to many for the financial benefit of a few is an unfortunate legacy of our past that we should not repeat.
