Sharon had always wanted a corn maiden carving. On their travels the couple met Dan 'Bert' Yazzie, a much celebrated Indian American artist, and were so taken by his work that they purchased one of his figures. 'Later,' says Sharon, 'we contacted Dan again, requesting more examples of his work.' One such is an award-winning figure named 'Haz ba' meaning oneness.
The Holton's point out that no two tribes produce the same kind of pieces. 'That's what trading was all about years ago,' says Sharon. 'The Navajos are noted for their rugs, the Hopi, for their pottery, for example. The Hopi are probably the most spiritual tribe, and to this day some of their reservation is closed to the white man, except by invitation only. Not surprising, really, as white man's influence from early times changed their way of life. They began to use new materials, such as tin, rather than clay for their utensils.
It wasn't until the 1900s when some pottery shards were unearthed. Prompting one surviving Hopi family named Nampeyo to revive the traditional art of pottery making. These beautifully fashioned pieces were once just utensils, but now are highly prized as decorative items.
Sharon is at pains to point out that she and Barry have not joined the tourist band wagon. 'It's just that we're keen to share the wonders of these art forms with other people, and, if people so wish, to educate and inform them how tradition and cultural influences have inspired their creation.'
Sharon points to the example of the Kachina figures, a series of between three and 500 dolls, each representing a god or goddess in some way, and now highly collectable. 'Everything on sale has a deep meaning, a reason why it has been so designed, which is why we attach an explanatory note to each item detailing its origins.
'These art forms are very special, and as such, need to be offered for sale in an equally special way.
No one who has ever been immersed so deeply in the ways of the Native American can remain unmoved. Sharon says: 'I know I've changed, as I've come to learn more about the tribes and their beliefs. Stress and materialism in my life no longer figure so greatly and I try to see the beauty that surrounds me.'
Barry, similarly, is not quite the same man as he was in his radio days. 'Meeting Sharon has changed my life. I have come to appreciate the benefits of these art forms even more now, and, as a spiritual counselor, Sharon is helping me work on my self development.'
Says Sharon: 'Although these art forms have deeply spiritual origins, spirituality doesn't have to be intensely serious. We're not here to change the world, we're just keen to share these fascinating and very different belief systems of these tribes and the sheer depth and breadth of Native American culture.'
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VISIT US IN SCOTLAND, PLEASE CONTACT US PRIOR TO YOUR VISIT - THANKS!
Sharon and Barry may be contacted at:
MEMBERS
OF IACA (Indian Arts & Crafts Association)