Calling himself ‘the Dream Artist,’ Narbono Begay paints what he dreams

At the end of a hard day, we all look forward to getting a peaceful night of rest. When our head hits that pillow, it’s off to dream land and for 36-year-old Narbono Casimere Begay, it’s his gateway for inspirations for his future paintings.

Being a full-blooded Navajo artist, Begay considers himself a semi-professional, self-taught painter. Born and raised in St. Michaels, Ariz., his only form of art was silversmithing, taught to him by his dad. He started making earrings and bracelets, and that was the extent of it.

As he grew up he worked various spot jobs in construction here and there, and never...

Artist Keefred Benally uses his past to create a better future

Twenty-eight-year-old Diné artist Keefred Benally is not your typical artist, he wasn’t influenced at a young age, nor was art in his blood. Benally found art at the worst time of his life — when he was locked up in jail.

Hailing from Dilkon, Ariz., Benally had a rough upbringing and alcohol, drugs, and violence was all around him. He succumbed to it and the dangers that accompany it that would haunt him later in life.

His first stint with the law was in 2011 when he landed behind bars in Navajo County Jail in Holbrook, Ariz., at the age of nineteen. It was there that he was introduced to a form of artwork...

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and the New Mexico State Library have enlisted the help of Lt. Gov. Howie Morales in promoting the importance of reading for children.

The Lieutenant Governor read the children’s book The Three Little Javelinas, written by Susan Lowell and illustrated by Jim Harris, courtesy of the Silver City Public Library, during a Facebook Premiere event on June 30, as part of the statewide summer reading program that kicked off in June.

“I encourage parents across New Mexico to make reading throughout the rest of this summer a top priority for their children — it’s so important!” said Lt. Gov. Morales. “When school is out for...

Gallupian Chris Acevedo uses his paintings to inspire, motivate others

Born and raised in Gallup, 36-year-old Mexican-American Chris Acevedo’s eyes were opened to the world of art as a little kid who would watch his uncle draw. Fascinated by what his uncle could do with a pencil, Acevedo started drawing simple cartoon characters. He realized he had a passion for art and found himself drawing more and more. Taking that pencil in his hand as his uncle did, Acevedo knew what he wanted to do when he grew up.

“In elementary school, my imagination began to run wild,” he said. “I began to draw doodles. I started to entertain myself. Later on, I saw the value of my drawings when...