About the Artist

(Born circa 1960) This Navajo artist, known professionally as Turquoise Man, Black Sheep Clan. At the age of 13, Nelson took his first painting to the Wide Ruins Trading Post, where the owner Armand Ortega paid him $75, which was a lot of money back in the early 1970's.

Nelson now resides in Rock Springs, New Mexico where he produces both paintings and sand paintings.  While working on "The Last Supper", a mural-sized sandpainting commissioned by El Santuario de Chimayo, Nelson competed an associates degree at the Institute of the American Indian Arts in Santa Fe. He is currently enrolled at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque to undertake more art classes.

Nelson's current work is both traditional and universal in its orientation.  The artist's concern with global warming, political as well as religious issues are addressed.