Jack Ahasteen

Illustrator, Fine Arts, Sculpturer, Photographer

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Ahasteen Graphics

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ahasteengraphics@yahoo.com

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Grew up in Teesto, Arizona

Lives in Window Rock, Arizona

Professional Illustrator Since:

1970s

Ahasteens Biography

Thank you letter to all supporters from Jack Ahasteen

This letter was the original letter that was submitted to the newspapers to thank all of my supporters and to express my appreciation for being selected for the 2024 Navajo Nation Grand Marshal.

Jack in Belmont

I was 4 years old when I lived on the Indian Army Depot in Belmont, AZ

Jack, born in 1951 during the same time sheep are lambing, in the surrounding buttes of Teesto, Arizona, called Hopi Butte also called Lókʼaaʼ (Navajo name for a local water well translating to “reed”). He moved to Bellemont, Arizona, when he was 3 years old. At that time, they lived in an Indian Camp which were where laborers who were hired resided because they had left home to work and provide for their families. The Indian camp had mostly Navajos from all over the Navajo reservation.

He and his brothers would go to the men’s sweat while exploring, visiting the local Richardson Trading Post, and building a raft by tying logs together to use in the pond. He vaguely recalls meeting and playing with the children of those like John Boone, Gary Smith, Thomas Yazzie. He also met Larry Etscitty and David Clark and at that time they were older than Jack.

Navajo Story of Horses

History says horses were brought in by Spaniards. There was a difference between horses used by us and what the Spanish used, the ones we used were a smaller version of a full-grown horse. Those horses became extinct.

Navajo teaching is when horse hooves hit the ground, it is the sound of thunder and their mane flying in the wind represents the falling rain. Horses have heightened senses, they have crystal in their eyes which allows them to see at night, the spiral on his forehead representing the cosmos/universe, and there are hooves each have an arrowhead under them. Horses are sacred to us.

Changes of transportation that made life more convenient and time saving because you can travel by car from Arizona to California it can take days by horse or years by foot. Then we transitioned to wagon drawn horses and now we travel by car and can get long distance in one day. We also have planes that can take you to other countries and now we can travel through virtual and see other countries without leaving our home.

Article on the Navajo Hopi Relocation

Me and the reporter went out to my homeland and visited my home. It was an erie feeling to go home and see the home I grew up in. It was a disaster. It looked as if they everyone just got up and left everything behind like cloths, books, dishes, bed, couch, etc. It was very sad to see.

Teesto, Arizona

This is my birthplace. My great grandfather is buried on the butte behind me. This was my home and this is the location my family was removed from during the Navajo Hopi Relocation.

Jack Ahasteen Day

Honor with a Proclamation on June 12, 2024 by President Buu Nygren.

Jack Ahasteens Biography

Ya'átééh, Shí éí Jack Ahasteen yinishyé. I am Todich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan), Tachii’nii (Red Running into the Water), Tabaaha (Water’s Edge), Tse Njikini (Cliff Dwelling Honey-Combed Rock). I am originally from Teesto, Arizona and have been a resident of

indow Rock, Arizona since 1972. I am a political illustrator/ sculpturer/fine arts/murals. What I am most known for is being a political illustrator.

I grew up in Teesto, Az and lived in Belmont Army Depot where my father worked during the 1950's. I started drawing at a very young age. My father would bring back comic book back home from work. I use to copy the illustrations from the books while my mom was doing her rug weaving. I enjoyed drawing at an early age and began selling my drawing to pay for food and clothing during my school years. Later I would attend ASU in Phoenix, AZ and majoring in Art, hoping to become an art illustrator. When I left ASU in my 2nd year and started looking for a job as a graphic illustrator for the Navajo Times in the 70s.

From the 1970s to now, I continued to do illustrations for a local newspaper as well as doing independent work contracts for books, personal fine arts, apparel and murals, etc. My work has also been used in college dissertations as well as workshops and water rights movements. I am currently a business owner of Ahasteen Graphics, LLC and I am continuing my work thru my business. Thank you for your support for the last 52 years.

Jack Ahasteen

Ahasteens Biography

Jack Ahasteens Biography

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Jack Ahasteen images and text are trademarks of Ahasteen Graphics. Used by permission. All Rights Reserved.

Jack Ahasteen

Ahasteens Biography

Jack Ahasteens Biography

AHASTEEN GRAPHICSAHASTEEN GRAPHICS

Become a Member today

Jack Ahasteen images and text are trademarks of Ahasteen Graphics. Used by permission. All Rights Reserved.