Aaron Anderson

ARTISAN DETAILS
INTRODUCTION
Navajo artist Aaron Anderson is lots of things, but if you had to use one word to describe him I would say “real” works perfectly. This is one guy that doesn’t shy from telling you exactly what he thinks. Also he has an innate way of explaining his design as if he was a teacher to a student knowing every detail of his work. Aaron is not afraid to have his work sit next to the “big names” of tufa art, in fact he welcomes to have his unique designs, innovation, and creativity judged with the best.
HALLMARK
1997 to Present
TRIBE:
test
STYLE:
Tufa cast and modern with traditional influence
FIRST YEAR MAKING ART:
1991
ARTISAN INTERVIEW
We have talked in the past about the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial. You seem to really care about this annual event?
It is the place where my work was really first noticed. In 2003 I won a blue-ribbon for “Best in Metal Smithing”. This was my first show.
Do you do other shows?
The last couple of years the Navajo Nation Fair has been putting up big prize money, and that has brought lots of well-known Navajo artists to the event. I have been doing the Navajo Nation show the last couple of years, it is easy being so close to home and it is my Nation.
How about the big shows?
I don’t do Santa Fe or Phoenix. I would like to see the Inter-Tribal regain some past glory and be the show all the top artists go to.
What changes does the Gallup Inter-Tribal need to make to bring back the top artists?
The Navajo Nation offers big prize money and that is why they are getting top artists. That would be a great place to start, more money for the winners at Inter-Tribal. Also, many artists in the past would have a booth on the Ceremonial grounds, and now those booths are t-shirts and other tourists items, they need to go back to the artists. It used to be the main show, all the greats brought their work to be judged. It was a big deal to be the “Best of Show”. I am trying to talk some artists I know to come back. Bracelet design initial sketch Finished bracelet with tufa negative in background
You won a blue-ribbon in 2003. When did you start making jewelry?
I started helping my uncles’ Wilford Henry (WHB) and Wilson Begay in 1991.
Did you know you would always make jewelry?
It has always been around me, my parents made jewelry, lots of my relatives make jewelry, it just seemed an easy transition. However, my father told me to go to college when I asked him about making silver.
Did you go to school?
Yeah, I studied civil engineering and use some of those skills in my approach to jewelry making.
Back to 1991, how long before you went out on your own?
I had spent some time going to shows with my cousins, Ira & Gary Custer, and would see these artist talk about tufa jewelry. Most of the stuff I would see was just sandcast, and immediately I knew I wanted to learn to do tufa. You can’t change design with sandcasting and I had so many different ideas of what I wanted to make. In 1997 I went out on my own and started doing some different things.
How did you go from sandcast to tufa cast?
I talked with my dad and he gave me the basic knowledge. He also showed me a tufa stone, and how to tell the difference between stones.
What would be differences?
I like to use a medium-hard stone, it seems to hold the design better for me. You have really soft stones that give the work that grainy look. Hard stones will let you give the work lots of detail, I usually wet this type of stone, this makes it easier to carve.
How does it work, from the start to finish of a piece of your jewelry.
Begins with an addiction to design. I will get up in the morning and start to draw a concept on paper. That will lead to a sketch that I place on a tufa stone.
How do we go from a rough sketch to a piece of your silver that has very precise lines?
I will use straight edges and squares, plus I modify lots of my knifes so I can get different depths and angles. Other artists always ask me about my modifications, which are very different compared to the basic tools. That is how I get the crisp detail of my work.
When you work with stones does that change your original idea?
Many times I will set that stone down on the paper and then draw my design as an outline. It is the change that keeps me motivated.
Thank you Aaron, we look forward to seeing you at the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial?
Aaron Anderson, Belt Buckle, Tufa, Arrows, Turquoise, Navajo Handmade, 1 1/2
Aaron Anderson, Belt Buckle, Tufa, Arrows, Turquoise, Navajo Handmade, 1 1/2"
$770
$770
Aaron Anderson, Belt Buckle, Tufa, Four Crosses, Coral, Navajo Handmade, 1 1/2
Aaron Anderson, Belt Buckle, Tufa, Four Crosses, Coral, Navajo Handmade, 1 1/2"
$660
$660
Aaron Anderson, Bolo Tie, Kingman Turquoise, Blossom, Navajo Handmade, 46
Aaron Anderson, Bolo Tie, Kingman Turquoise, Blossom, Navajo Handmade, 46"
$2,400
$2,400
Aaron Anderson, Bolo Tie, Number Eight Turquoise, Tufa, Navajo Handmade, 46
Aaron Anderson, Bolo Tie, Number Eight Turquoise, Tufa, Navajo Handmade, 46"
$1,660
$1,660
Aaron Anderson, Bolo, Horned Toad, Spider Web Turquoise, Navajo Handmade, 44
Aaron Anderson, Bolo, Horned Toad, Spider Web Turquoise, Navajo Handmade, 44"
$1,480
$1,480
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Apache Blue Turquoise, 14k, Silver, Navajo Made, 6.25
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Apache Blue Turquoise, 14k, Silver, Navajo Made, 6.25
$1,280
$1,280
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Arrows, Eagle, Chief Blanket, Navajo Handmade, 6 3/4
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Arrows, Eagle, Chief Blanket, Navajo Handmade, 6 3/4"
$660
$660
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Four Directions, Tufa Casting, Navajo Handmade, 6 3/4”
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Four Directions, Tufa Casting, Navajo Handmade, 6 3/4”
$660
$660
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Golden Hill Turquoise, Navajo Handmade, 6 1/8
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Golden Hill Turquoise, Navajo Handmade, 6 1/8"
$445
$445
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Ithaca Peak Turquoise, Classical Style, 6 5/8
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Ithaca Peak Turquoise, Classical Style, 6 5/8"
$655
$655
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Lapis Lazuli, Stackable, Navajo Handmade, 6 1/2”
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Lapis Lazuli, Stackable, Navajo Handmade, 6 1/2”
$435
$435
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Lapis Lazuli, Stackable, Navajo Handmade, 6 3/8”
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Lapis Lazuli, Stackable, Navajo Handmade, 6 3/8”
$380
$380
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Multi-Stone Shooting Star, Navajo Handmade, 6 5/8
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Multi-Stone Shooting Star, Navajo Handmade, 6 5/8"
$935
$935
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Pilot Mountain, Classical Style, 6 3/8
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Pilot Mountain, Classical Style, 6 3/8"
$745
$745
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Seven Twisted Wires, Tufa, Navajo Handmade, 7 1/2”
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Seven Twisted Wires, Tufa, Navajo Handmade, 7 1/2”
$930
$930
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Sonoran Rose Turquoise, Navajo Handmade, 6 1/2
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Sonoran Rose Turquoise, Navajo Handmade, 6 1/2"
$440
$440
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Spider Web Turquoise, Traditional, Navajo Made 6.5
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Spider Web Turquoise, Traditional, Navajo Made 6.5
$920
$920
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Spiny Oyster Shell, Stackable, Navajo Made, 6 1/4”
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Spiny Oyster Shell, Stackable, Navajo Made, 6 1/4”
$435
$435
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Triangle Maze, Tufa Casting, Carving, Navajo Made, 6 1/2
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Triangle Maze, Tufa Casting, Carving, Navajo Made, 6 1/2"
$455
$455
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Tufa Cast, Contemporary, Navajo Handmade, 6 1/2
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Tufa Cast, Contemporary, Navajo Handmade, 6 1/2"
$380
$380
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Tufa Cast, Nevada Blue Turquoise, Navajo Made, 6 1/2
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Tufa Cast, Nevada Blue Turquoise, Navajo Made, 6 1/2"
$660
$660
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Tufa Cast, Spider Web Turquoise, Navajo Made, 6.25 in
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Tufa Cast, Spider Web Turquoise, Navajo Made, 6.25 in
$760
$760
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Tufa Cast, Turtle, Multi Stone, Navajo Handmade, 6.5
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, Tufa Cast, Turtle, Multi Stone, Navajo Handmade, 6.5
$760
$760
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, “Red Rock”, Tufa Cast, Navajo Handmade, 6 1/2
Aaron Anderson, Bracelet, “Red Rock”, Tufa Cast, Navajo Handmade, 6 1/2"
$475
$475
Aaron Anderson, Cuff, Indian Mountain Turquoise, Eye Dazzler, Navajo, 6 1/2
Aaron Anderson, Cuff, Indian Mountain Turquoise, Eye Dazzler, Navajo, 6 1/2"
$745
$745
Aaron Anderson, Dragonfly Ring, Royston, Navajo, 11 3/4
Aaron Anderson, Dragonfly Ring, Royston, Navajo, 11 3/4"
$290
$290
Aaron Anderson, Four Direction Pin, Twisted Fringe Comanche Elk Hide Bag
Aaron Anderson, Four Direction Pin, Twisted Fringe Comanche Elk Hide Bag
$910
$910
Aaron Anderson, Four Direction Pin, Twisted Fringe Papago Black Cow Hide Bag
Aaron Anderson, Four Direction Pin, Twisted Fringe Papago Black Cow Hide Bag
$840
$840
Aaron Anderson, Necklace, Dragonflies, Lapis, 14k Gold, Navajo Handmade, 37
Aaron Anderson, Necklace, Dragonflies, Lapis, 14k Gold, Navajo Handmade, 37"
$6,365
$6,365
Aaron Anderson, Necklace, Pueblo Dragonflies, Coral, Navajo Handmade, 22
Aaron Anderson, Necklace, Pueblo Dragonflies, Coral, Navajo Handmade, 22"
$2,400
$2,400
Aaron Anderson, Number Eight Turquoise, Tufa Cast Belt, 20 Pieces
Aaron Anderson, Number Eight Turquoise, Tufa Cast Belt, 20 Pieces
$6,370
$6,370
Aaron Anderson, Pendant, 14k Gold, Silver, Star, Navajo Made, 2 1/2
Aaron Anderson, Pendant, 14k Gold, Silver, Star, Navajo Made, 2 1/2" x 1 5/8”
$475
$475
Aaron Anderson, Pendant, Cross, Mediterranean Coral, Navajo Handmade, 2 3/8
Aaron Anderson, Pendant, Cross, Mediterranean Coral, Navajo Handmade, 2 3/8"
$235
$235
Aaron Anderson, Pendant, Cross, Royston Turquoise, Navajo Handmade, 4 7/8
Aaron Anderson, Pendant, Cross, Royston Turquoise, Navajo Handmade, 4 7/8"
$440
$440
Aaron Anderson, Pendant, Cross, Tufa Carving, Casting, Navajo Made, 1 3/4
Aaron Anderson, Pendant, Cross, Tufa Carving, Casting, Navajo Made, 1 3/4"
$290
$290
Aaron Anderson, Pendant, Double Cross, Tufa Carved, Cast, Navajo Made, 1 3/4
Aaron Anderson, Pendant, Double Cross, Tufa Carved, Cast, Navajo Made, 1 3/4"
$335
$335
Aaron Anderson, Pendant, Five Fingered Ones, Tufa Casting, Navajo Handmade, 26
Aaron Anderson, Pendant, Five Fingered Ones, Tufa Casting, Navajo Handmade, 26"
$290
$290
Aaron Anderson, Pendant, Leather, Dragonfly, Naja, Tufa, Navajo Made, 25”
Aaron Anderson, Pendant, Leather, Dragonfly, Naja, Tufa, Navajo Made, 25”
$280
$280
Aaron Anderson, Pendant, Leather, Rainbow Yei, Tufa Cast, Navajo Handmade, 25”
Aaron Anderson, Pendant, Leather, Rainbow Yei, Tufa Cast, Navajo Handmade, 25”
$290
$290
Aaron Anderson, Pendant, Pueblo Dragonfly, Reversible, Navajo Handmade, 30
Aaron Anderson, Pendant, Pueblo Dragonfly, Reversible, Navajo Handmade, 30"
$440
$440
Aaron Anderson, Pendant, Rainbow Yei', Tufa Carved, Casted, Navajo Made, 1 1/2
Aaron Anderson, Pendant, Rainbow Yei', Tufa Carved, Casted, Navajo Made, 1 1/2"
$290
$290
Aaron Anderson, Pendant, Tomahawk, Chinese Turquoise, Navajo Handmade, 2 1/2
Aaron Anderson, Pendant, Tomahawk, Chinese Turquoise, Navajo Handmade, 2 1/2"
$370
$370
Aaron Anderson, Pendant, Tomahawk, Turquoise, Navajo Handmade, 2 3/4
Aaron Anderson, Pendant, Tomahawk, Turquoise, Navajo Handmade, 2 3/4" x 1 1/2"
$370
$370
Aaron Anderson, Ring, Star Design, Tufa Casting, Carving, Navajo Handmade, 7
Aaron Anderson, Ring, Star Design, Tufa Casting, Carving, Navajo Handmade, 7
$235
$235
Aaron Anderson, Ring, Sterling Silver, Tufa Carving, Casting, Navajo Made, 11
Aaron Anderson, Ring, Sterling Silver, Tufa Carving, Casting, Navajo Made, 11
$290
$290
Aaron Anderson, Ring, Storm Pattern, Mediterranean Coral, Navajo Made, 7 ¼
Aaron Anderson, Ring, Storm Pattern, Mediterranean Coral, Navajo Made, 7 ¼
$235
$235
Aaron Anderson, Ring, Tufa Cast Silver, Mediterranean Coral, Navajo Handmade, 9
Aaron Anderson, Ring, Tufa Cast Silver, Mediterranean Coral, Navajo Handmade, 9
$295
$295
Aaron Anderson, Ring, Tufa Cast, Carved, Silversmith, Navajo Made, 5 1/2
Aaron Anderson, Ring, Tufa Cast, Carved, Silversmith, Navajo Made, 5 1/2
$235
$235
Aaron Anderson, Ring, Tufa Cast, Carving, Sterling Silver, Tread, Navajo, 11 1/2
Aaron Anderson, Ring, Tufa Cast, Carving, Sterling Silver, Tread, Navajo, 11 1/2
$235
$235
Aaron Anderson, Ring, Tufa Cast, Kingman Turquoise, Navajo Handmade, 11 ¼
Aaron Anderson, Ring, Tufa Cast, Kingman Turquoise, Navajo Handmade, 11 ¼
$285
$285
Aaron Anderson, Ring, Tufa, Mediterranean Coral, Sleeping Beauty Turquoise, 10
Aaron Anderson, Ring, Tufa, Mediterranean Coral, Sleeping Beauty Turquoise, 10
$655
$655
Aaron Anderson, Ring, Wagon Wheel, Tufa Cast, Carving, Navajo Handmade, 8
Aaron Anderson, Ring, Wagon Wheel, Tufa Cast, Carving, Navajo Handmade, 8
$315
$315
Aaron Anderson, Ring, Wide Band, Tufa, Sterling Silver, Navajo Handmade, 12
Aaron Anderson, Ring, Wide Band, Tufa, Sterling Silver, Navajo Handmade, 12
$290
$290
Aaron Anderson, Row Bracelet, Kingman Turquoise, Navajo Handmade, 6 1/2
Aaron Anderson, Row Bracelet, Kingman Turquoise, Navajo Handmade, 6 1/2"
$655
$655
Aaron Anderson, Small Pendant, Leather, Tufa Cast, Naja, Navajo Handmade, 28”
Aaron Anderson, Small Pendant, Leather, Tufa Cast, Naja, Navajo Handmade, 28”
$210
$210
Aaron Anderson, Tufa Bracelet, Cross, Turquoise, Coral, Navajo Bracelet, 6 1/2”
Aaron Anderson, Tufa Bracelet, Cross, Turquoise, Coral, Navajo Bracelet, 6 1/2”
$935
$935
Aaron Anderson, Tufa Bracelet, Rattlesnake, Mediterranean Coral, Navajo, 6 1/2
Aaron Anderson, Tufa Bracelet, Rattlesnake, Mediterranean Coral, Navajo, 6 1/2"
$435
$435
Aaron Anderson, Tufa Bracelet, Royal Blue Royston Turquoise, Navajo, 6 3/8
Aaron Anderson, Tufa Bracelet, Royal Blue Royston Turquoise, Navajo, 6 3/8
$745
$745
Aaron Anderson, Tufa Cast Bracelet, Butterfly Design, Silver, Navajo
Aaron Anderson, Tufa Cast Bracelet, Butterfly Design, Silver, Navajo
$1,470
$1,470
Aaron Anderson, Tufa Cast Bracelet, Four Directions, Navajo Handmade, 7 1/8
Aaron Anderson, Tufa Cast Bracelet, Four Directions, Navajo Handmade, 7 1/8"
$655
$655
Aaron Anderson, Tufa Cast Bracelet, Kingman Turquoise, Navajo, Signed 6.5
Aaron Anderson, Tufa Cast Bracelet, Kingman Turquoise, Navajo, Signed 6.5
$650
$650
Aaron Anderson, Tufa Cast Ring, Eight Legged Spider, Silver, Navajo Handmade, 8
Aaron Anderson, Tufa Cast Ring, Eight Legged Spider, Silver, Navajo Handmade, 8
$280
$280
Aaron Anderson, Tufa Cast Ring, Golden Hill Turquoise, Navajo Handmade, Size 8
Aaron Anderson, Tufa Cast Ring, Golden Hill Turquoise, Navajo Handmade, Size 8
$620
$620
Aaron Anderson, Turquoise Naja Button, Twisted Fringe Cheyenne Elk Hide Bag
Aaron Anderson, Turquoise Naja Button, Twisted Fringe Cheyenne Elk Hide Bag
$965
$965