The horned toad is highly respected in my culture, the Navajo Nation. Growing up on the Rez, I was taught that when you come upon a horned toad, our grandfather, you pick him up and place him to your chest closest to your heart. You ask for blessings and in return, offer him a blessing with water or corn pollen. Then gently place him back where you found him. Cheii is also considered an arrowhead maker, which is why I place a bow and arrow in his hands. The design in the middle is one that my grandmother used to weave into her traditional rugs. The design was made using the linocut method, a type of printmaking on paper. The printed paper is authentic antique ledger paper, dated 1851 to 1859 and is a Chattel Mortgage Ledger from Albany, NY. This is a limited edition series of 50, each one is numbered, titled and signed. Listed is 44​/​50 Dimensions: approx. 12.5" x 7.75"

Materials

Ink on antique ledger paper.