I found these at an estate sale this weekend. The lady running the sale said these were her mother-in-laws and they were all purchased from Navajo artists.
I know nothing about art, including Native American art. So any of your thoughts and comments are well appreciated as always. The first print is labeled “Dark Sky”. The artist is San Martin (sounds more like an island) and it is dated 1979. The second appears to be a watercolor deer signed Tahe. That is a common Native American name I think. The last is an oil or maybe acrylic. There is no signature but it kind of reminds me of New Mexico.
I started my professional career doing pencil, pen and ink and etchings. But decided I needed to work in color so I did some research and now work in Acrylic (actually Chromacolour from the U.K. which is suspended in resin rather than polymer which gives a softer finish than most acrylic). I do plan out my paintings, but I change my mind a lot during the painting so watercolor does not fit me. I do not like the long drawing time nor the smell of oils. Acrylic works perfectly for me and my style of realism and thus have used it for 35 years exclusively.
The most relevant detail for evaluation is whether we’re looking at reproductions or originals, and it may take in-person examination by a professional to verify. A copyright symbol generally means the work exists in multiples.
The deer painting is in the style of the Dorothy Dunn Indian School of Native painting (1930s-). Plenty online about it. Very attractive.
Wow! Thank you so much!! Jan Martin of course! I thought it was an S instead of a J. I never can read signatures well. This print was my favorite out of all the pieces!! Thank you again!
No copyright symbol on any of them. The paper and canvas they are made on does seem original to me. But it could be one artist copying another artist’s work?
I would have to pay more for a professional to look at them than I paid to purchase them, so I am not too worried about their value. I already have them displayed in my house and am enjoying them. If I ever decide to sell them I might have someone look at them.
Thanks! I really think the deer is sweet. I will have to look at Dorothy Dunn. Thanks so much for the reply!!!
Here is a close up of the deers back. I like how you can kinda see pencil marks or something coming through. Like little spots on the deer.
