Watching Over

Watching Over by Michelle Tsosie Sisneros

Everyday I look towards the skies in hopes that I will see the spirit of my beloved brother who left us many years ago.  It seems like he only left yesterday, I know in my heart that it has been some time now because my pain has turned to peace.  My peace comes in the form of his spirit . . . the eagle in flight.  

I have not seen him in quite sometime and was asking myself, where are you little brother. I looked up to the clouds the other day and saw a beautiful bird in flight, soaring high above the clouds circling around me, his head white and tail white, a peace came over me.  

He came again several days later and I know that in my heart and soul my little eagle tail was watching over me, guiding me to my place into the spirit world.  

Little White Eagle Tail . . . . . . My tears, My heart, I miss you As I feel you Watching over Me . . . 

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.