Ron Toahani Jackson Monotypes

The terms monotype and monoprint represent two distinct processes used to create unique, one-of-a-kind prints. A unique print is a one-of-a-kind transfer of an inked or painted image on a surface/substrate to paper or another receiving surface, that cannot be exactly duplicated. The ink or paint may be transferred with hand pressure or by means of an etching press. If there is enough ink or paint residue left on the surface, sometimes a second, lighter print is pulled, called a ‘ghost’. Unique prints stand in contrast to editioned prints, in which each print in the edition is identical. Unique prints may be denoted by the words “monotype” or “monoprint” or by the symbol “1/1”. A MONOTYPE is a painting/drawing/inking on a surface/substrate that is transferred to paper or another receiving surface. A monotype is not repeatable as it allows only one pull of the original image elements, perhaps followed by a ghost print. A MONOPRINT contains some lines or images that can be repeated from one impression to the next, such as etched lines, a linocut or a lithograph, however the artist also varies the inking, composition and other elements to create a print that is not repeatable. Both monotypes and monoprints often pass through the press multiple times, to add additional ink and imagery to the print, thus building beautiful layers of form, color, texture, and line – and sometimes monotype and monoprint techniques are combined within in a single print. There are three principle monotype methods: The additive or light-field method, whereby the artist paints/inks the image onto the plate with brushes and rollers; The subtractive or dark-field method, whereby the artist covers the entire plate with pigment and then removes some of the pigment with brushes, rags, sticks, or other tools to create the image; and A combination of the two techniques, whereby the artist works back-and-forth, adding and removing pigment from the plate as the image is developed. The tools and materials used to create monotypes and monoprints are virtually endless, from paint brushes to beach grass, from q-tips to finger tips, from palette knives to wooden spoons. Prints are sometimes enhanced with collage materials, or worked into with direct and trace drawing or painting on the printed surface. Sometimes stencils are used, created from such things as leaves, fabric, or even rubber gaskets, to add shape and texture. The technical possibilities are endless and the results, when combined with the individual artist’s vision, are quite diverse and exciting! https://youtu.be/vK9S8nxWa1E

The Legend of Tségháhoodzání or Window Rock- Navajo Capital

Our medicine people tell us that Tségháhoodzání is a sacred and d holy site to the Navajo and as the photos show there is something special here. Perhaps this why It was told Long ago, before the Navajo People emergence from the fourth world at Dinetah(original Navajo homeland, SW Colorado- Northern NM, NE AZ.)there were other beings lived here. They were a community of families, Leaders and Medicine Men, much like our society today. The elders who once told the story say they came from the faraway world that circles the Mai So’ (Coyote Star), seen low in the southern hemisphere. Those who tell the story are the “Crystal Gazers,” for they alone understand and control the gift which they left for them. Navajos called them So’ Dineh (the Star People), undoubtedly they called themselves by a different name, a name not heard by human ears as they were gone when our ancestors arrived. They were wandered among the countless worlds that filled the nighttime skies, looking for home before arriving here with only memories of a home world. These Star beings were translucent and child like in appearance with miraculous abilities; powers that enable them to see into the far into the future. On their world, their abilities were common, here on Earth their powers were heightened by spirits of all living creatures. These abilities made them healers and give them a natural empathy for all life. In essence, they were able to become one with the Earthly spirits of each plant and animal. In their travels they have seen many lifeless worlds, but here everything was alive - a rare gem in the endless void. They came to the sandstone formation at Window Rock, a place where the Big Winds converge, eventually cutting through the rock. They lived peacefully for many generations, until humans emerged and began to make footprints on this world. In the Star community, there were many leaders, many of them are appointed by a council left far behind on a long dead world. The Chief was leader by status, as he emitted a blue aura as all the leadership castes do. His decisions were based on a combination of experience, information, and advice from the council. One day he was told the Shaman requested a meeting of great importance. A meeting is set in the great crystalline chambers, far below the sandstone cliffs. The great Chief now emitted a yellow hue of light, somehow knowing importance of this meeting and what he was about to hear, weaken his aura. As a leader of his people far from home any concern was supreme, it was solely his responsibly alone for their survival. He did not want this role. He remembered the peaceful valleys and gentles breeze that was once home now only a memory. To migrate his people into the void was not a choice, an escape from a dying world. In mid thought, the Shaman entered. The Shaman was a mystical figure with powers that exceed others in the community. The Shaman was in his own right was a leader, but his ability to see far into future giving him a different role. His power to see into the future was created in the quartz crystals. In was a means to transgress time and space into a reality that bent and folded space. The Chief sat patiently in an awkward fashion on a chair in the center of the chambers. The Chief then said to him, “You have called this meeting, now you have my audience, speak.” “The crystals and the Gila Monste spirits give us a warning,” said the Shaman. “Yes, I must tell about that are to come about, in the distant future,” added Shaman. After a few seconds of delay Star Shaman said, “There is a mass migration from the north, beyond the northern lights, a migration not of animals or birds, but a strange people who call themselves the “Five Finger Ones.” He paused and continued, “These are creatures that have some intelligence are generally foolish, they will come here and build a civilization, one day they will stumble on the knowledge to destroy this world.” At once the Star Chief‘s aura became blue again as he responded, “This vision and words are now spoken, but how do I know it will come to pass? The Shaman added, “they will arrive here soon, perhaps during this summer, and they will begin the destruction, small at first, but in time then they will command others of their own race, by greed and cruelty.” Now as speaking in pain, the shaman said, “intelligent they are, soon to understand the law of the universe, and eventually harness and control the power of the sun.” On hearing this, the Chief wondered about other worlds were life had painfully arisen to intelligence, only to destroy themselves in nuclear fires. The Star people understood that technological achievements has its limits, a barrier that civilizations must grapple with, all to often the result is destruction. Regretful he thought as he remember what were the blue-green warm cloudy worlds around Gamma and Beta Centaurs. “They will understand the power of the Sun?” asked the Chief. “Yes in time, their abilities to gain knowledge are great,” said the Shaman. “So, this migration is a result of that intelligence,” asked the Chief. “Yes, and I believe they know that we are here, they too have seers that use crystals to see beyond their vision.” the Shaman said, he added, “however, warfare is what they are best at, which make the dangerous.” Now the danger is obvious, the Great Chief was once again faced was a decision that would end their fate. Now he wondered about the decision to come to this place, had his decision been wrong! The circumstances were now different, wrong or not, they were face with a real threat and they must leave immediately. He stood up and said, “We must call together the Council, go set the word fourth.” The next day, the Council gathered in the Star-Chambers, there is an eerie gathering of multicolored beings, those cast weird shadows on the crystalline walls of the chambers. Representatives from every part of the community were presence, and the air was heavy with soft whispers, all waiting to hear the Shaman. The Shaman stood and began to address the gathering. “I have seen these Five Fingered Ones; my crystals and the Gila Monster spirit tell me, they are warlike and fight among themselves and soon they will build a civilization here, if we remain we will be destroyed or become slaves.” There chambers fell silent, as the Shaman continued, “One day, in the distance future they will fight a great war, with weapons drawn from the power of the sun destroying this world. All life will be destroyed, we must leave!” demanded the Shaman. The auras of Star People have become noticeably dimmer on hearing the announcement. Now the Chief stood atop a crystalline podium, raises his hand to the gathering, “you have heard the Shaman, these Five Finger Ones are unlike any beings we have faced, we must leave at once!” The gathering could have voice their displeasure, but the announcement was accepted with sadness and misgiving. The crowd left from the chambers leaving only the Chief and the Shaman, who remained behind with other high members of the council. The discussion would now be centered on reality and linguistic, how to move an entire community across time and space. They worked far into the night, calling on the spirits and the powers of the crystals seeking a suitable world to migrate to and call home. The Shaman used ancient sand paintings and chants to recreate the scared images of their home world, seeking a direction, a place to go. After hours of chants, the Shaman said, “our destination will be far to the east, to the sacred terrestrial body that circulars the “Dog Star.” Now the Chief thought to himself, about relativistic travel and the energy needed. He said to the members, “Now understand that our journey will be no only in distance, but also in time, we cannot return to this place take everything and don’t leave anything behind.” The Star-Chambers was now dimly lit and silence, with the few members of the council and the Chief all looked at the Shaman all as he left the great hall without saying a word. There were some among the So’ Dineh who considered Tségháhoodzání as home, and indeed they realized such a journey through time and space had its inherent dangers. Among, those who wanted to stay was a family of four who where deeply troubled by the council’s decision. The Mirage parents arrived here on rainbow beams and had give birth to two children, a young boy and girl. These parents planted their children’s umbilical cords here according to ancient traditions, and now the children were bonded to the sandstone formations of Tségháhoodzání if they were to leave, it would mean certain death. In the home of the Mirage family, there was much activity in the small home as the family of four packed and prepared for the long journey. Much of their time was spent feeding on the crystals, absorbing the natural vibrant energy. However, this was merely a distraction, for they all knew that children could not go. Mirage Father did everything possible to ensure passage for the children, but the Shaman said that their life was now dependent on the rock formations they had to stay. The Children knew their fate, and accepted it with bravery, although, sadden the Mirage parents were proud. “Make sure that all everything is packed, the light machines are becoming inpatient and well as the council,” said Mirage Father. “So, it is true that we are to leave sooner than planned,” Mirage Mother said. “Yes, as soon as possible, other are boarding right now, our scouts have spotted the Five Finger Ones not too far from here, Shaman was right they know were here…go, find the Children,” the Father barked. They are down at the crystalline chambers,” Mother replied. Mirage Father and Mother went down into the chambers to tell the children that they had to leave immediately, and to say good-bye. The two children were in the chambers, but not at play, they are saddened knowing that they would soon be alone, never see their kind again. Mother and Father embraced the Children, then they all sat near clear mineral pool for a longtime, watching the milti-colored crystals grow, when Mirage Father spoke, “Children, the time has come, we must leave. I have to tell you about your part in this universe, we are travelers, and we have seen many worlds. Soon our journey will carry us into the far future, to a distance world, and if there a way I will return for you.” Mirage Father now with tears said, “You will be alone here, but it’s your home. In time, there will be room for you even among the Five Fingered Ones, and yes, you will remain here at Window Rock. In time and you will help the Five Fingered Ones, by sharing your powers of healing and foresight. In time they will accept you both, they will come here to provide offerings and ask for your powers. In time, they will name you “Crystal Boy” and “Crystal Girl.” You will live in their songs, stories and haunt their dreams.” Mirage Mother kneeling before them said, “We give you a protector, a Spirit Dog, keep him well and we promise return for you.” Mirage Son said bravely, “Father we know that we cannot go, but don’t be sad this is our home we will be happy and keep it ready for your return.” Mirage Daughter now stood and said, “Will we ever see you again?” “I made a promise, but there will be others who will come, they are like us, find them if you can, the Five Finger Ones will call them the Holy Ones,” said Mirage Father. They sat there by the mineral pool until the lightships were ready to leave, without tears, the Mirage parents left, leaving the Star Children behind. On the surface the lightships were ready to leave, they were magnificent machines that blazed in the sunlight. They lifted at first, and then moved slowly to the eastward until they were no longer visible to the keen vision of the Star Children. They were gone, but they will return. My name is Hoske Yil Das Wood, and I have come to Window Rock many times in the last forty years, to give Offerings and Corn Pollen to those who live underneath the sandstone. I once heard the Spirit Dog barking and the laughter of children among the sandstone cliffs, but no more. Nevertheless, I still make my offerings. We now use the scared crystals to heal and see in the future as the So’ Dineh once did. However, that power is fading, for there is great amount of change. Now our leaders walk and work where once magical beings lived. I supposed they were right in leaving; we Five Fingered Dineh have walked over them. The Mirage Parents have come back for their children, now they are all gone and so has the magic. As the Star Shaman once saw, Humans have harness the power of the sun, in nuclear weapons that stand ready to set the fires. The mystical powers that emanated form the scared formation is now gone. We have come a long way, but we also learned little about life. This legend or prophecy has been told among our people for centuries and many could not fathom what it meant until just recently. Only until the first atomic bomb was dropped on the lands of the Mescalero Apache our cousins in Southern NM and then on HiroshimaJapan killing over 140 000 human beings. Only then did it finally start to make sense. The Hopi correctly prophesied it as a gourd of ashes that would be dropped on Mother Earth. And our people did not know that this bomb would be developed less than 100 miles to the east of Dinetah at Los Alamos NM on the eastern slope of the Jemez Mountains in Pueblo country. Nor did they know that the uranium used to make these weapons of mass destruction would be dug right out of our lands poisoning everything it came in contact with. My own mother and many Navajo of her generation developed Multiple Myeloma and other cancers caused by the radioactive fallout from the bombs dropped above ground in the Neveda desert which slowly drifted over the Navajo Nation. The Navajo miners that went into these mines were never told by the US Government of the danger it poised not only to them but to their livestock their wives and their children. Many died leaving their families to fend for themselves Right now there are hundreds of abandoned uranium mines scattered across our homelands still releasing their radioactive poisons. Little did our ancestors know that the uranium used to build these weapons from the power of the sun would come from under their feet. But it was not us who developed these weapons. It was the people who prophecy said were to come from the east and their skin would be white. They would come with forked tounge, a black book and diseaes that would kill many of our people. Under a concept called the Doctrine of Discovery and Manifest Destiny they would take most of our lands. massacre the Buffalo Nation and pollute our sacred land, water and air. Beware of them we were warned but we were also told that among them would be those who still live by the original teachings of their ancestors who still respect Mother Earth and many of their children will seek spiritual guidance among our people and with their help and other fve fingered of all colors from all over Mother Earth. perhaps we have can still have hope for our future of the four leggeds, the winged ones, those who swim and crawl and the future of this beautiful blue planet.

All photographs and text appearing in the Ron Toahani Jackson Photography, social media site(s) are the exclusive property of Ron Toahani Jackson (except where stated otherwise) and are protected under international copyright treaties.

A Mother's Touch

Missing Herd Returns

New Art

New Art

My Heart Hurt's for the Horse Nation'

16 x 20

Monotype 

"From the Four Directions"

22 x 22

Monotype

"Thunder Bird Awakens"

Acrylic/Sand on Canvas 

30 x 40

"Dragonfly Dualities"

22x 30

Monotype

 

Untitled 

Monotype

Untitled
Serigraph

"The Shuffle"
22 x 30
Monotype

Untitled
Monotype

Father Sun

Father Sun

 Perhaps one of the most important symbols in the Navajo Sun Dancre ceremony is that of the sun. The sun is conceived as a circle and projected symbolically. The ceremonial hogan or tipi is seen as a circle when it is blessed with corn pollen. When people enter, it is in a clock wise direction. They seat themselves in a circle. The racing is done according to the position of the sun in the sky, and the girl turns clock wise when she returns home. The cake is circular, "so it will be like the sun," and is baked in a circular pit. The baking is timed according to the passage of the sun. "All the people watch the time; during the summer, the nights are short. You go according to the sun. You give it enough time to bake right. In the winter, you wait till later. Someone has to direct that time schedule. Women are inside and outside keeping track." When done, it is cut in a clockwise wise direction. The center assumes anthropomorphic qualities attributed to the sun; it becomes a heart, and as a living thing, it may not be cut with a knife. The sun is a symbol of life, creation, blessing, and power.

"The sun a central deity who correlates the nether and celestial worlds with this one, who exists to assist man to his final destiny. Changing Woman may possibly be the female manifestation of the Sun." Disappearance of the sun, as in an eclipse, initiates efforts to re-establish harmony. Taboos are in force during this phenomenon. An eclipse is caused by the death of the orb, which is revived by the immortal bearers of the sun and moon. During an eclipse of the moon the family is awakened to await its recovery. Similarly, a journey is interrupted and work ceases during an eclipse of the sun. Songs referring to the Hozhoji, or rite of blessing, are chanted by anyone knowing them, otherwise the passing of an eclipse is awaited in silence. It is not considered auspicious to have a ceremony in progress during an eclipse of the sun or moon, and a ceremony is often deferred on this account. 

  

The Sun represents fatherhood and masculinity. His aspects are distance, power, leadership, and discipline. Just as the earth, which Changing Woman symbolizes, is close and nurturing to all beings, the sun is symbolically a non-intimate energy source. The universe is in order when the Sun and Changing Woman, the sun and the earth, man and woman, father and mother, are united. Thus, the Navajos believe that day (union of the earth and the sun) is equal to good, safety, life, and growth. Night represents the separation of the sun and the earth and is therefore equal to danger and potential evil.

Though previously they had been content with color, First Man and First Woman, when they arrived in this world, wanted light as well, probably because the world was large and many places existed far from the mountains that had previously furnished illumination. After due consideration the First Pair made the sun of a large turquoise disk surrounded by red rain, lightning, and various kinds of snakes. It was heated with fire kindled by Black God's fire drill. From a piece of rock crystal the First Pair made the moon, bordering it with white shell, forked lightning, and sacred waters; it is slightly warmed by rock crystal's light.

Among the supernatural company there were two men, one old, one younger, who had risen unexpectedly from a spring. For a long time the two had merely accompanied the people, not performing any usual deeds, but endearing themselves to the travelers. They had planted the reed through which the beings of the fourth world escaped to the fifth. When First Man and First Woman had finished making the sun and decided to place it in East Wind's country, they appointed the young man, who until then had no name, as the sun-bearer. Moving to the east with the orb, he became Sun. They put the old man in charge of moon and gave him the name Moon-bearer or Moon.

 One version of the creation myth shows concern to account for Sun's position among the spheres. After the disk had been lighted by dint of great effort, it became too hot and burned the people because the sky and earth were too close together. First Man and First Woman raised the orb a short distance, but it was still dangerously hot. They then made two poles of turquoise and two of white shell, which they gave to Those-who-stand-under-the-sky [Sky Pillars]. The latter pried the sky far enough from the earth to prevent burning, but the heat was insufferable. Finally, they decided to stretch the world and, by blowing hard, expanded it until the temperature was comfortable for the inhabitants.

Sun's permanent home, a major symbol of the Male Shooting Chant Sun's House branch, is at the eastern quarter of the sky. In it is a rattle that warns of his return. When it sounds the fourth time, Sun arrives home, takes off the sun, and hangs it on a peg on the wall - on earth the sun sets. Formerly he moved from east to west and back in a day, pausing at the center of the sky [noon] to eat his lunch. Since Changing Woman has lived in the west, he stops there and rests at evening. On dark, stormy days he stays at home and sends out his lightning, which may do mischief. Sun thus carries out his daily schedule.

 His seasonal journey begins at the winter solstice; he climbs the southernmost sky pillar and, as the season advances, reaches the northernmost; he retraces the route, spending an equal number of days at each pole. On the rare occasions when he becomes angry he hides his light partly or completely; the earth experiences a solar eclipse which presages misfortune.

 Sun (djoxona'ai),the deity, is to be differentiated from sun, a light which he carries. Usually, especially in the Shooting Chant, Sun is designated by the orb that gives life to the world. In one sand painting a person is drawn.

  

Sun is portrayed by numerous references to his ritualistic functions, specific details about his appearance, life, social relationships, and temperament. His symbol is a blue disk with eyes and mouth; it sometimes has horns. Surrounding the disk are colored lines that represent powers rather than persons, as do other appendages such as rain streamers, lightnings, and feathers. Sun is said to be a large person, having a huge foot, known because he left tracks when he visited Changing Woman.

Sun and another young man arose in the first world. Both were carried by First Woman to the uppermost world, where the more powerful became Sun, the weaker, the Moon. Two men, one old and gray-haired, one young, appeared when the people had given up hope of escaping from the fourth world, and created the reed through which they were delivered.

After the sun and moon had been made in the fifth world, as a great honor they were given to these men to carry, as they had endeared themselves to the people. Nevertheless, Sun and Moon exacted human lives as a reward for moving far enough away from the earth not to burn things on it. Two contrasting impressions of Sun are developed, one held by the young women he seduced, one indicated by his behavior at home when confronted by his sky wife and those who claimed to be his children. To women he was so handsome that they dared not look at him; they bowed their heads in shame at their own inferiority. He appeared to Changing Woman suspended some two feet above the ground on a white horse with a white bridle. His clothing and moccasins were all white.

He did not ask women for what he wanted, he told them what to do, and, where the details are described, as they are for Changing Woman, guardians were only too glad to arrange for a romantic mating with Sun.

When, however, the results of these meetings, Sun's children, appeared in his home, a different side of the love story, one more familiar to Earth People, comes out. He had a permanent, acknowledged wife who was fat and jealous, and many children. Knowing that The Twins were hidden in his house; that things were not going too smoothly, he entered with blustering bravado and sometimes brought evil with him, causing an eclipse on earth. When accused by his wife of philandering, he simply did not answer.

Apparently so many children claimed him as their father that only the severest tests could prove their legitimacy.

 The Twins' visit brings out details of Sun's powers. His house with its furnishings is described. Two Winds, Thunders, a pair of Snakes, and a pair of Bears guarded it. The house was of the pueblo type, white at the east, blue at the south, yellow at the west, and black at the north. In one version it is represented as a pueblo house made of turquoise standing on the shore of the great ocean; in another, it was said to be of white shell.  Rooms giving off from the central room were showrooms for Sun's wealth: 

 at the south a room opened to exhibit his vast herds of horses

 

 

at the west were stores of blankets and at the north farms and corn.

Sun had a large number of other weapons, among them lightning arrows and flint clubs and armor which The Twins obtained and adapted to ceremonial purposes with the consent and instruction of their father.

One of Sun's cherished possessions, frequently pictured in the sand paintings, is his tobacco pouch. It is painted blue, with blue tapering flaps, a white border of porcupine quills, and fringe of fawn hooves. The tubular pipe and the pipe cleaner, kept in the pouch, are of turquoise. A black spot at the narrow end of the pipe represents tobacco; a streak of white at the wide end represents a smoke; a rock crystal lights the pipe. that he drive them out with a club, but Sun rebuked her severely and said that 'holy things were taking place.' When he wanted the Earth Twins to restore the Sky son from the bite of Water snake, Sun apologized to them: "My wife sometimes uses poor sense when she gets to talking."

The Sky wife and Changing Woman probably represent the same woman in different guises. The affair with Changing Woman was permanent, since, after persuading her to move to the perfect house in the west, Sun visited her nearly every day.

The famous gamblers were Sun's children. One had won two valuable shells from the people of Blue House, a pueblo. Sun tried to get Gambler to give up the shells, but he refused until Sun provided another young man (the son of xactc'e'oyan) with the power to beat him.

Sun was vulnerable before his children. After The Twins had proved that he was their father, he pleaded with them:

"My children, be careful not to ask too much of me. If I offer certain things to you, be satisfied. Do not ask me for more that I can grant."

Nevertheless, the boys, prompted by their mentor, refused everything he mentioned and asked for his most precious weapons, which they needed to kill the monsters. When they had blurted out their demand, Sun, overwhelmed by their power, bowed his head and wept. Eventually recovering himself, he explained: ". . . he [Big Monster] was your older brother. Above all others I loved him. Be sure you let me make the first move; then I shall not regret it."

The Hero Twins returned to Earth and with their weapon of lightning obtained from their father the Sun slew all the monsters.

Navajo Sun Legend 

Photography y Ron Toahani Jackson