George Toya

MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE:
In the beginning I didn't have the means to aquire or purchase "real" art supplies. I used what I could get my hands on, paper, cloth, boards or any flat surface that could be drawn on. I was able to utilize art supplies that were purchased or given to me by family or friends. I learned to improvise with the the purchased or found materials that included pencils, watercolors, charcoal from the wood stove, house paint or any other found supplies. Trying different techniques, I taught myself. I draw and paint Pueblo inspired images and images that come from within myself that I like to think were passed down to me from my parents, grandparents and ancestors.I utilize oil, acrylic, watercolor, charcoal and pastels that are drawn or painted on canvas, paper, or panels. I sketch the image I want to paint with graphite or charcoal to get the proportions right then I tend to start with thin layers of paint that I blend and build up layer by layer. The tools: brushes knives and fingers. The materials I use in my jewelry are sterling silver that is cast, stamped or overlayed. The images I use are Pueblo images that I design and are influenced by Pueblo life. I also incorporate turquoise and coral in some of my work that I fabricate and form with lapidary equipment. The cast jewelry is formed in tufa blocks that I carve. The overlay jewelry is soldered in my home studio. The rings and earrings I make are hand cut and stamped using a variety of stamps, some of which I have made and designed myself. The finished pieces are given a brushed or polished finish depending on the design. The chains for the pendants are hand formed from sterling silver wire.