Navajo Lands

My most recent commission is a triptych inspired by the land inside the Navajo Nation along US Highway 89 in Arizona. I passed through this extraordinary landscape on my way home from Utah to Texas this summer and I cannot get it out of my head. I usually paint pieces that come somewhat from my own experience, but this series definitely comes from a place of awe and wonder rather than personal experience. 

I frequently work from photos that I've taken. Its hard to remember all of the details of a face or a space through pure recollection. My paintings are always re-worked from photos and journal entries as source materials. This piece was commissioned before my summer trip began. My client encouraged me to be on the lookout during my journey for desert scapes I found inspiring.  

My clients had originally been interested in another piece of mine called "Kingdom of Daylight" (pictured below), but it was too small for their space. They asked that I keep the original painting in mind when creating the new piece. All of this contributed to the final composition.  

Here are each of the three panels so you can get a closer look at the work. Each piece is 30 x 30 inches for a total of 30 x 90 inches. You can learn more about the Navajo Nation and their governance of this landscape on their official website: http://www.navajo-nsn.gov/