Mamie Deschillie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mamie Deschillie
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| Born | 1920 Burnham, Navajo Nation, New Mexico
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| Died | 2010 (aged 89–90) Farmington, New Mexico
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| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Folk Art |
Mamie Deschillie (1920-2010) was a talented Navajo artist. She created unique art pieces, often using everyday materials. Her art is known as folk art, which means it's made by ordinary people, not usually trained in art schools.
About Mamie Deschillie
Mamie Deschillie was born in 1920. Her birthplace was either Chaco or Burnham, both in New Mexico. These places are part of the Navajo Nation, a large Native American territory. She lived near Farmington for most of her life.
Her Life and Art Journey
Mamie Deschillie was a traditional Navajo woman. She spoke mostly the Navajo language. She often wore beautiful velvet clothing. Mamie had five children. She started making art more seriously after her husband, Chee Ford Deschillie, passed away in 1979.
Mamie did not have much formal schooling. But she learned important skills as a child. She learned how to weave, which is making fabric by hand. She became quite good at weaving. Later, she began to explore other kinds of art.
Her Unique Art Style
Mamie Deschillie became famous for her special art. She made "mud toys" from sun-dried clay. These toys were often shaped like animals. She created cows, sheep, buffalo, and horses. Sometimes, she even made horses with riders.
She loved to decorate her clay animals. She used things she found around her. This included fur, pieces of cloth, or old jewelry. After adding these decorations, she would paint her creations.
In the 1980s, Mamie started using cardboard. She would cut out shapes from cardboard. Then, she decorated these cutouts too. She used found objects and jewelry, just like with her mud toys. Her art pieces varied in size. Some were small, like a ten-inch horse with a rider. Others were quite large, reaching up to three feet tall.
Where to See Her Art
Mamie Deschillie's amazing artwork is part of several important collections. You can find some of her pieces at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. Her art is also displayed at the Museum of Northern Arizona. Another place to see her work is the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian. These museums help share her unique talent with many people.
