Feeling the Presence

Feeling the Presence by Michelle Tsosie Sisneros

Koshare being . . . 
Ancient being.
I sit alone so deep in thought in the pueblo plaza.
It has been many years since I saw your ancient presence in my life.
At first look the kosa took my breath away.
One by one they came with basket after basket of vegetation, fruit, pottery.
They gave and gave until I was overwhelmed.
At last, one by one they lined up to honor Mother Earth with a prayer song.
A melodic humming so deep in emotion I realized tears were running from my eyes.
A moment in time, a vision so deep.
I will take to my grave.
The Creator's feeling of presence.

Born in Albuquerque in 1959, Michelle is the daughter of Carol and Paul Tsosie (Navajo).  Her marriage to a Santa Clara man shifted her orientation to Espanola, an urban center in the heart of the Rio Grande Pueblos, impacting the subject matter of her paintings.  Her Indian name So Whu Wa Tung translates to Basket in the Mist

In July 1989 she was awarded the Best of Fine Arts at the Fortieth Navajo Show at the Museum of Northern Arizona. Her work was included in an exhibition at the San Diego Museum of Man titled "Paths Beyond Tradition" (May 20-September 4. 1989).

Naranjo's work is in the permanent collection of the Heard Museum and she has won several First place awards at the Santa Fe Indian Market, as well as the Patrick Swazo Hinds Memorial Award for the most Promising Painter in 1981.

An artist featured in Patricia Broder's impressive publication Earth Songs, Moon Dreams Paintings by American Indian Women, Naranjo's involvement with fashion as well as art is revealed. 

Michelle shifted her last name from Naranjo to Sisneros during the 21st century.