''VISION QUEST OF THE SUNDANCE''

''VISION QUEST OF THE SUNDANCE'' This is a dramatic suspended Sundance. George Catlin painted this ritual back in the 1800's. I wanted to capture the power of this in bronze. When I was working on the sculpture I hired a model and built a harness to suspend him from the ceiling. chrisnavarro.com

So embrace the struggle

''RISK'' I like to celebrate March 13, 1986 as the anniversary date I quit my steady paycheck and corporate oilfield job to pursue my dream of being a professional sculptor. My son JC was nine months old and my wife Lynne was pregnant with our daughter Natalie. Everyone told me it was not a good decision. There are times in life when you have a dream and you are the only one who can see it. And if you really want something bad enough you have to be willing to take a risk. I knew in my heart and trusted my gut that I could make it. I wanted to make a living doing something I loved. Well it has been 29 years now and I feel so blessed and fortunate to still have this passion for making art. Don't be afraid to follow your dreams. So embrace the struggle and go out there and make a living doing something you have a passion and love for. Life is too short not to! chrisnavarro.com

Mick McMurry was a champion for helping others.

It is with great sadness to hear of the passing of Mick McMurry. He was a champion for helping others. He always had a way of making you feel good when you were with him. Mick and Susie have done more good in Casper and Wyoming than anyone. I am so proud to have been your friend. My thoughts and prayers to Susie and the McMurry family. Mick you will be greatly missed. Godspeed my friend you were one good man.

I know if I have a tool and clay in my hands I will eventually finish.

I have taken on dozens of large monumental sculpture jobs not dwelling on the time or difficulty of accomplishing them. I know if I have a tool and clay in my hands I will eventually finish no matter how big or small the sculpture is . My philosophy is not to over think it just go out and make it happen. chrisnavarro.com

I have decided to share my thoughts on the things that have helped me on this journey of creating art.

Having been a professional artist for 29 years I have decided to share my thoughts on the things that have helped me on this journey of creating art and making a living doing what I love. When you share your art with others you expose yourself to criticism, judgment and rejection. When making art you invest so much of yourself in the creation of what you are doing. It is difficult not to take that criticism personally. I like to take rejection and make it work for me. When someone tells me I’m not good enough or can’t do something it puts a fire in me and fuels my passion and desire to prove them wrong. Because as an artist the thing you are really responsible for is trying your hardest and doing the very best you are capable of. In the end that is all you can do.

Having been a professional artist for 29 years I know there are no overnights successes in the art world.

Having been a professional artist for 29 years I know there are no overnights successes in the art world. It is a myth that as an artist if you will just be discovered by the right gallery or art agent they will pave the way to artistic success. Building your art career is a lifelong struggle. If you want to be great at something there are no secrets. It is only accomplished through dedication hard work and a love for what you do. Because love is an emotion you can't fake and you cannot be great at anything without loving it.

''REACHING FOR GLORY''

''REACHING FOR GLORY'' bronze sculpture of an eagle catcher.chrisnavarro.com