Michael Billie
A cultural journey with Mother Nature
My talk is going to be based my Navajo culture and Mother Nature which are both a big influence in my work. I work with paper, eco-printing, found objects, crafts, materials used in ceremonies. I also use a lot of Navajo historical references in my work that come form Navajo legends and from historical moments in Navajo history. There’s so much inspiration to pull from just by keeping my eyes and mind open. It’s amazing how Mother Nature provides the best art material you can work with.
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saturday Morning A 9:00am-10:00am Path 2 Talk: A Cultural Journey with Mother Nature
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BIO: I work with wax and natural materials related to my Navajo culture. I incorporate sand, beads and horse hair materials that are used in ceremonies and other traditional events. Most of the colored wax I make myself. I've also collected pigments from India, Egypt and South America. I've been fortunate to travel to many places throughout the world. It has been an awakening experience to see how different cultures are woven into each other, making one human race. The tools and natural pigments that artists use to make their art from other parts of the world is something I'd like to incorporate in my work. I've also discovered copper batiks from Asian countries and the chakpur tools from Tibet. There's something spiritual about watching a monk working on a mandala or an artisan stamping out a pattern using a batik stamp. I find it really gives the work a more global feeling - since we're all connected - one way or another.