We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shawn Ahkeah. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shawn below.

Shawn , appreciate you joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I thought about this question quite often but in reverse. I’ve had a regular job most of my life and always was thinking what if I could paint and be an artist . So, one day I did just that I just changed careers from a land surveyor to an creative artist. While I did have a great career as a land surveyor which was very much fun. I worked long hours and traveled but but always working. I never had time to spend on family , hobbies, or relaxation. Now that I’m creating art and selling art, I get to have more free time.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

My name is Shawn Ahkeah, I’m an Navajo or Dine’ artist/ Painter from Cortez, Colorado and Shiprock, New Mexico.

I’ve been doing art all my life. Since I was a child I’d be drawing all the time whenever I can or when I’d have free time . As I’ve gotten older and gotten more into attending college and the workforce I’ve never had much time for art, but still I tried to squeez it in my life as much as I Could. Until I thought, I need to do something with art before I get to old. So that’s where I’m at now .

I create paintings on canvas. My mediums are acrylic paint, charcoal and graphite, I also make my own handmade frames.

I paint southwestern American Indian art mainly of the Navajo tribe or the Dine’ (the people) and their culture.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect probably would be leaving behind something of me to share with the world. The art I created will help show the beauty of the Navajo culture through my eyes.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Fund art programs , community art, and supporting art/artist .

Contact Info:

• Instagram: ahkeah_art
• Facebook: Shawn Ahkeah
• Youtube: Shawn Ahkeah