Zuni Fetish Onyx Raccoon By Loren Tsalabutie

Description

Hello, my name is Loren Tsalabutie. I have been carving for 11 years. I was taught how to carve when I was 13 years old. When my father (Jeffery Tsalabutie) passed in 2009, I began to take carving  seriously. I wanted to carry on what he taught me, but it had been 3 years since I was shown the ropes. I felt lost; I didn't know where to start. I only had a few memories of what he told me and that is what fueled me. I basically had to start from scratch, teaching myself and studying my dad's carvings, a method he used when he was teaching me.
I had a lot of failed attempts when I started. The most difficult animal for me was the mountain lion. I felt that I never got the face right. I did have a mentor to help me: my grandfather Gibbs Othole. He gave me advice and shared his vision on how to carve by using the stone's natural pattern, shape and color.
My dad was supposed to take part in the SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Market and share a booth with Gibbs the year he passed. Since the booth was set for my dad, I took his place at the show. The second year, I was awarded the Youth Fellowship Award from SWAIA. At first I couldn't believe it! I took it as a sign my dad passed down his gift to me. Over the years I have won awards from the Heard Museum, Indian Market and the Santa Fe Indian Market.
My dad's work got another artist's attention, an Inuit carver who made dancing bears, seals, etc. He traded art with my dad and that is where my dad was inspired to make dancing critters. I also carry on the inspiration my dad had for that type of theme.
I go to gem and mineral shows to purchase rocks. When I shop, I try to pick out stones that are naturally shaped like animals, which make for a better way to take advantage of the stone. I sometimes go hiking and search for stones I think are suitable to carve. Throughout the time I have been carving I have learned a lot and have developed a skill I am proud of and one day will pass down.
I hope my carvings interest you and you find them to be fun, healing and full of happiness when they find their way into your lives.
Here is what I have to offer my awesome looking Raccoon I carved out of onyx. He is beautifully detailed his facial expression is my favorite part. I inlaid his eyes with turquoise. His bundle offering is out of green serpentine, coral and turquoise beads. He measures at H 1 3/8 x W 15/16 x L 2 15/16 and is signed L.T. Enjoy and thanks for looking!