The sweet smell of home : the life and art of Leonard F. Chana

Book

The sweet smell of home : the life and art of Leonard F. Chana / Leonard F. Chana, Susan Lobo, and Barbara Chana ; with forewords by Rebecca J. Dobkins and Angelo Joaquin Jr.

Chana, Leonard F. (Author). Lobo, Susan. (Added Author). Chana, Barbara, 1945- (Added Author).

Summary:

A self-taught artist in several mediums who became known for stippling, Leonard Chana captured the essence of the Tohono O'odham people. He incorporated subtle details of O'odham life into his art, and his images evoke the smells, sounds, textures, and tastes of the Sonoran desert, all the while depicting the values of his people. He began his career by creating cards and soon was lending his art to posters and logos for many community-based Native organizations. Winning recognition from these groups, his work was soon actively sought by them. Chana's work also appears on the covers and as interior art in a number of books on southwestern and American Indian topics. This book is an autobiographical work, written in Chana's own voice that unfolds through oral history interviews with anthropologist Susan Lobo. Chana imparts the story of his upbringing and starting down the path toward a career as an artist. Balancing humor with a keen eye for cultural detail, he tells us about life both on and off the reservation. Eighty pieces of art, 26 in color, grace the text, and Chana explains both the impetus for and the evolution of each piece. He was a people's artist who celebrated the extraordinary heroism of common people's lives. This book now celebrates this unique artist whose words and art illuminate not only his own remarkable life, but also the land and lives of the Tohono O'odham people.

Record details

ISBN: 9780816528189
ISBN: 0816528187
ISBN: 9780816528196
ISBN: 0816528195
Physical Description: xxvii, 137 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 26 cm
Publisher: Tucson : University of Arizona Press, ©2009.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:: Includes bibliographical references.
Formatted Contents Note:: Foreword / by Angelo Joaquin Jr. -- Foreword / by Rebecca J. Dobkins -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction / by Barbara Chana -- Introduction / by Susan Lobo -- Mom and Dad : that's how they got married -- When I was little -- I'itoi : he is the one who taught the O'odham -- Because I can feel it -- Some of the things she wrote about I remember -- Sherman -- Working with my dad -- They really raised havoc -- So I was tired of drinking anyway -- The courage to change : my life is open -- The maze broken in half -- They were looking for an artist -- References -- List of illustrations -- About the authors -- About the contributors.