Blue Canyon

Blue Canyon refers to a particularly innovative style of Navajo weaving created by the late Larry Yazzie and named in honor of his boyhood home. At loose ends after six years in the military, Larry, a trained artist, followed the suggestion of his sister, Wanda Begay, that he try weaving. The result was a perfect meeting of artistic talent, cultural awareness, and a deep desire to express the elemental connection he felt with his family, his ancestors, his gods and the land with which they were so inextricably connected. Blue Canyons combine the traditional alternating pinstripes and raised outline of Coal Mine Mesa patterns (the traditional pattern for the Blue Canyon area) with design elements from many older weaving styles. A Storm Pattern may join a Teec Nos Pos, a Chief Blanket a Yei and a corn plant in a powerful new expression of an ancient Navajo art form. Larry's family continues to express his vision in wonderfully original hand woven tapestries.