How to Start Navajo Stone Sculpting

Series Summary

The Navajo Nation is centered geographically around the Four Corners region, with reservation land in three of the four states: Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona. Although not all Navajo are part of the political organization of the Nation, this area is still the hub of Navajo culture. The Dinetah is the mythological homeland of the Navajo and constitutes the region set off by four mountains in the American Southwest (Mount Taylor, the San Francisco Peaks, Hesperus Peak, and Blanca Peak). This area is considered sacred and exists as an integral part of Navajo religious life.

In this free video series, Navajo sculptor Roy M. Walters shares the history and heritage of Navajo art. He introduces stone sculpting along with how to select stones, what tools you will need, and how to stay safe while cutting the stone. Roy shares how to spot fake Native American art and offers advice on buying Native American art for the novice shopper. You can watch Roy take saw and chisel to his stone, seeing the process unfold before your eyes! He will tell you just what to do to begin your own sculpting.

Video Transcript

"Hi, my name is Roy Walters, Jr. and I am a Native American artist. I do sculpture and painting and I am here on behalf of Expert Village. I met my dear wife, Marlene Walters, when she was teaching within the community. I expressed to her of my interest in becoming a sculptor. She recognized that I had the talent to do so and she had the funds to assist me and she did. To be a sculptor requires a lot of money for equipment and material. I started out with the very basics, a hammer, chisel, file and sand paper. I learned to use the tools and my first piece turned out so beautiful. I felt like I knew what the stone wanted to become. I view that first piece as a seed that took root and has grown into a beautiful plant."