Thursday, December 31, 2015

Every child is an artist. We began life with unlimited potential

Every child is an artist. We began life with unlimited potential. If you want to see a group of artists get a bunch of four-year-olds together, give them some crayons and paper. Then sit back and watch them create art. Every one of them is an artist at that age because they don’t have any fears or pre-conceived concepts of what art is. They know what fun is and they enjoy it for the simple pure pleasure of doing it. Unfortunately when they get older they stop creating art for the fun of it and worry too much about what others think. They lose their sense of play and when that happens they lose their ability to make art for the pure joy and fun of it. Early in life you seek the approval of others to validate what you are doing. As I have grown older I realized the most important approval is my own.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

I do not believe you are born with a limited amount of talent or knowledge.

I do not believe you are born with a limited amount of talent or knowledge. Talent and knowledge can both be grown it is not a finite source. I have never let my lack of talent or knowledge keep me from attempting to do something I have a passion for. You must remember that every expert was a beginner at some time in their life.

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Monday, December 28, 2015

I have decided to begin to write my second book. ''CHASING THE WIND'' was my first.

I have decided to begin to write my second book. ''CHASING THE WIND'' was my first. I find writing to be difficult. However the only way to get it done is by writing one word after another. It is a lot like making a monumental sculpture. Just break it down into smaller steps and you can finish it. I wrote the first 16 pages and this is my opening first page rough draft.
''EMBRACE THE STRUGGLE '' by Chris Navarro
‘’I know what it is like to have a dream and you are the only one who can see it.’’
This is not a book about ideology and theory. It is a philosophy about performance taking action and making things happen. It is about getting things done.
I do not claim to know all the answers but what I have learned I will gladly share with those who wish to make a similar journey. 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 the wrong decision. However there are times in life when you have to make a stand and turn your dreams into reality. If you really want something bad enough you have to make the effort and 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 had a love and passion for. I did not want to live my life just showing up for a pay stub at the end of the week.
Having been a professional artist for over 30 years I have decided to share my thoughts on the things that have helped me on this journey of making a living doing what I love. 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 are doing. Love is an emotion you can't fake and you cannot be great at anything without loving it.
You never know what you can do until you try. So do not be afraid to embrace the struggles in life. Go out there and make a living doing something you have a passion and love for. Life is too short not to!

Saturday, December 26, 2015

''VISION QUEST OF THE SUNDANCE''



''VISION QUEST OF THE SUNDANCE'' This is a dramatic suspended Sundance. George Catlin painted this Native American ritual back in the 1800's. I wanted to capture the power of this in bronze. Working from life and using models is always the best way to capture the essence of a subject. I hired a model and built a harness to suspend him from the ceiling.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

The bull I used in the CHAMPION LANE FROST monument.




I have been asked what bull I used in the CHAMPION LANE FROST monument.The bull was Rudy Vela's when I was at Cheyenne Frontier Days I went through all the bull pens and he was the biggest baddest looking bull there. He had lots of hump and horns. He was really big and around 20000 lbs . His name was the Dark Side. They ran him in the chutes for me and I spent a lot of time taking measurements with calipers and photos of him getting reference for my sculpture. I told the contractor Vela for all his help I would put his brand on the bronze bull in the memorial.He was a beautiful bull and he had some attitude!

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

THE HUMAN FIGURE SCULPTURE 3 DAY WORKSHOP

  
    This photo is from the first sculpting workshop I taught in Taos NM on the horse 20 years ago. I will be teaching one in Casper WY on the Human figure. If you are interested give us a call hope to see you there! 

THE HUMAN FIGURE SCULPTURE 3 DAY WORKSHOP August 10, 11, 12, 2016 Limit 12 Students
Location ART 321     321 W Midwest Ave, Casper, WY 82601    (307) 265-2655   tuition $450.
tony@art321.org   www.casperartguild.org  


 We will study armature construction, anatomical proportion, composition, design and gesture.  Working with oil base clay and using live models we will look for that hidden spark that brings the essence of life into our work. THE INSTRUCTOR: Chris Navarro national award winning artist has been sculpting professionally for 30 years. In the world of art he is best known for his large bronze sculptures. His work is placed in 8 Museums with over 29 monumental sculptures located throughout the country.  To view his work www.chrisnavarro.com  cnavarroart.com   (307)-259-7305       chrisnavarrostudio@gmail.com                                                                                                   

Friday, December 18, 2015

''CHAMPION LANE FROST'' bronze H-38'' is on its way to The Bull Riding Hall of Fame



''CHAMPION LANE FROST'' bronze H-38'' is on its way to The Bull Riding Hall of Fame at the Cowtown Coliseum at the Fort Worth Stockyards. It will be an honor to have my sculpture of Lane at the Hall. He was a great rider and ambassador for the sport. Bull riding has played a big part in my life and my son JC. It is amazing to see how much the sport has grown over the years. When bull riding gets in your blood it stays with you

Monday, December 14, 2015

The Wyoming Arts Council announced they will be awarding the 2016 Governor's Art Award to Casper Wyoming bronze sculptor Chris Navarro




The Wyoming Arts Council announced they will be awarding the 2016 Governor's Art Award to Casper Wyoming bronze sculptor Chris Navarro. Navarro is being recognized for his excellence in the arts and the outstanding service to the arts in Wyoming 
‘’It is a great honor to be selected and recognized by the Wyoming Arts Council. I have been blessed with a great passion. I really love what I do and hope others see that through the works I have created. When you love what you are doing the real reward is in the experience of doing it. One of the best things in working with bronze it is such a strong, durable, and permanent medium. In the end it is not about how many years you lived in this world but what you leave behind that truly matters. All artist want to live on in their work. Knowing my work will be standing in the sun long after I’m gone for future generations to experience and enjoy is extremely rewarding.’’ I have enclosed images of a few of my Wyoming monuments.Thanks

Thursday, December 10, 2015

'CLIMB AS HIGH AS YOUR DREAMS'' bronze height 9'

'CLIMB AS HIGH AS YOUR DREAMS'' bronze height 9'
Your thoughts determine your reality. The only limitation you’ll ever have is the limitations of your own thinking. Don’t over think it just go out and make art. The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength or knowledge rather it is a lack of will. If you really want to do something bad enough you will find a way. If you don’t you will find an excuse. 

Wednesday, December 9, 2015


Made it back to my Sedona Studio this is a sunset out my front door. Sedona is such a beautiful place we have owned Navarro Gallery and Sculpture Garden located at Tlaquepaque Arts Village now for over 15 years. If you are in the area please stop by and visit our Gallery