Mudheads and Bearded Kachinas in Motion

Naha's attention to detail is unlike many artists who chose to depict ceremonial subjects.  Add to this his superior ability to depict human anatomy with uncharacteristic ability, and you have the work of an expert painter, depicting his own people. 

Study his handling of hands on each of the dancers. They are firmly rendered, without a trace of tenativeness. 

Each mudhead figure is handled with a great deal of sensitivity, a feature not often conveyed.

(1933-1974, Hopi) Naha's chief medium was casein, although he did produce works in oils, pastels, inks and acrylics. His favorite subjects were Hopi and Zuni kachinas and ceremonies. He often used black or dark paper as his brush tended to be on the dark side.

Since Naha painted in perfect detail, his paintings present a beautiful study of the masks, costumes, jewelry, body paint and paraphernalia of the dancers. As his compositions ranged from loose and scattered arrangements to tight, closed lines of dancers; it is difficult to ascribe a chronological sequence to his works. There is often humor in Naha's art as illustrated in a painting of tumbling dancers whose moccasin soles show holes in them.

Among the awards he received were: First award at the Philbrook Show on two occasions; Indian Arts Fund Award in Santa Fe; Bimson Grand Award at the Scottsdale National and First awards at different Gallup Ceremonials. He is cited in The Biographical Directory of Native American Painters by Patrick D. Lester, The St. James Guide to Native North American Artists, American Indian Painting by Dorothy Dunn and Southwest Indian Painting by Clara Lee Tanner.