Joe Maktima Painting

Joe Maktima is a Hopi / Laguna Pueblo artist who was born in Winslow, Arizona in 1962. He graduated from the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in 1985. In 1999, one of his paintings was chosen for the Santa Fe Indian Market poster. His work can be found in the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis, Indiana, as well as numerous galleries world-wide.

This piece is entitled "Doorway to Heaven." It is acrylic on canvas with 20 carat gold leaf. 11" x 14" unframed.

For Maktima the overall design of a piece, whether his own or that of any artist, is of utmost importance, as is a sense of continuity and the formal elements of composition such as texture, rhythm and a consistency in color relationships. "There are no sketches for the work I produce," Joe explains. "I begin with a general idea, and allow the process of my own creative and critical thought to guide a composition that in the end will hopefully exhibit an aura of value and integrity."

The mixed media canvases Joe Maktima creates combine sand, gold, handmade paper and other materials with acrylics to produce symbolic abstracts with an intense color palette. The artist states: "Humanistic in approach, and rooted within my artistic-aesthetic virtues my work seeks to intrigue and entice the viewer towards the contemplation of the creative process."

• Name : Joe Maktima