Navajo Artist: R.C. Gorman

This portrait of the artist R. C. Gorman, is a charming look at the life and work of one of our most respected contemporary painters. Working out of his studio just north of Taos, New Mexico, Gorman is shown working with female models in native garb. With just a few brushstrokes, Gorman can create a blanket, a dress, a face. The character goes into the hands, the feet. Gorman, whose portraits of Native American women have become legendary, is inspired by the "boundless, everchanging female spirit." In addition to his painting, Gorman is seen working with lithographers, talking with his Aunt Mary, and other family members, and holding an autograph party ("he invents reasons for parties.") This gentle man, whose first art materials as a child were sand, rocks, and mud went on to become the first Indian artist to open up his own art gallery (Navajo Gallery). Watching him work, watching him play, is a treat. Recommended. (Note: This video has our favorite copyright notice to date-- "Making copies of this videograph is a violation of the copyright law and selfish. So don't do it.")(Available from: Heese/Waldrum Productions, P.O. Box 549, Rancho de Taos, NM 87557.)