Native American Children Portraits at Turquoise Tortoise Gallery

Friday, 26 October 2007 07:47

Sedona, AZ - Turquoise Tortoise Gallery in Sedona, Arizona is celebrating the works of Sharon Brening, one of the newer artists to the gallery. On Friday, November 2nd, from 5-8 p.m. the gallery presents “Raising Tradition,” a showcase of Brening’s portraits of traditional Native American children. The show will continue through November 11th.

For the prestigious thirty-six year old gallery, renowned for its collection of Native American art, Brening’s realistic and intimate portraits are a distinctive addition. The artist enjoys a unique relationship with the Native Americans of the southwestern region. In the mid-1950s her family moved with the young future artist to Arizona and Brening accompanied her photographer father on countless working trips through Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, the Grand Canyon, and innumerable trading posts. These opportunities brought many early acquaintances with Native American people that left a lasting impression on Brening. “I remember very early trips with my father photographing babies in their cradle boards. That was common place,” she says.

Brening, witness to decades of southwestern Indian lifestyles, recalls that as a child she frequently saw native people put automobile tires on old wooden wagons that were drawn by their horses or mules. She was in total awe of Navajo clothing and jewelry but had to learn how much meaning went into every detail and how every detail related to the Navajo’s life existence. Brening gives an example: “Like the three-tier velveteen skirt that represents the three phases of a woman's life. The bottom panel is for infancy, the middle one for adult years and the top part for her elder years.” The artist adds, “All of these early experiences were imprinted in my brain, lasting a lifetime and adding to my memory bank each visit. I was brought up with a great respect for the traditional customs.”

Today, as an accomplished artist, Brening pays tribute to these native peoples, helping to perpetuate their valuable cultures in her own language: oil on canvas. The artist knows first-hand there is a vibrant intent within Indian cultures to continue traditions, it is the reason the children have captured her artist’s eye. With utmost reverence and professionalism her realistic paintings capture every authentic detail of southwestern Native American children in full traditional regalia. A White Mountain Apache woman observed that watching Brening work is a heartwarming experience. “I love seeing shyness melt as she offers her warmth to these young children. Sharon respectfully perpetuates their thousands-of-years-old cultures by honoring their spirits in her paintings.”

Turquoise Tortoise Gallery is located at Hozho Center in the heart of Sedona’s “Gallery Row,” 431 Highway 179.- T. 928-282-2262, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or www.turqtortsedona.com. Open daily: 10-6 Mon-Sat, 11-5 Sun.