Zuni Fetish Azurite Frog Fish By Loren Tsalabutie
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:49776018 |
Hello, my name is Loren Tsalabutie. I have been carving for 11 years. I was taught how to carve when I was 13 years old. When my father (Jeffery Tsalabutie) passed in 2009, I began to take carving seriously. I wanted to carry on what he taught me, but it had been 3 years since I was shown the ropes. I felt lost; I didn't know where to start. I only had a few memories of what he told me and that is what fueled me. I basically had to start from scratch, teaching myself and studying my... dad's carvings, a method he used when he was teaching me.
I had a lot of failed attempts when I started. The most difficult animal for me was the mountain lion. I felt that I never got the face right. I did have a mentor to help me: my grandfather Gibbs Othole. He gave me advice and shared his vision on how to carve by using the stone's natural pattern, shape and color.
My dad was supposed to take part in the SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Market and share a booth with Gibbs the year he passed. Since the booth was set for my dad, I took his place at the show. The second year, I was awarded the Youth Fellowship Award from SWAIA. At first I couldn't believe it! I took it as a sign my dad passed down his gift to me. Over the years I have won awards from the Heard Museum, Indian Market and the Santa Fe Indian Market.
My dad's work got another artist's attention, an Inuit carver who made dancing bears, seals, etc. He traded art with my dad and that is where my dad was inspired to make dancing critters. I also carry on the inspiration my dad had for that type of theme.
I go to gem and mineral shows to purchase rocks. When I shop, I try to pick out stones that are naturally shaped like animals, which make for a better way to take advantage of the stone. I sometimes go hiking and search for stones I think are suitable to carve. Throughout the time I have been carving I have learned a lot and have developed a skill I am proud of and one day will pass down.
I hope my carvings interest you and you find them to be fun, healing and full of happiness when they find their way into your lives.
Here is what I have to offer. My very unique and unusual rare fish I ever made the frog fish. Frog fish are a saltwater type. Frogfishes are any member of the anglerfish family Antennariidae, of the order Lophiiformes. They have always been my interest as I used to be in the huge saltwater hobby myself years ago. Sadly my aquarium was full of small peaceful tank mates which at the time left me to only appreciate the sight of them when at the aquarium shops I visited for the necessities for my aquarium. They are among the only fish I know of that resemble leg like fins which can make them look as if they walk like us in a way they are very patient, secretive and opportunistic predators. One thing that is also unique to the frog fish unlike cuttle fish and octopus they can change color but not rapidly it usually takes more time sometimes days to commit to a color for their camouflage. Now back to the carving I carved him out of a beautiful piece of Azurite from New Mexico. When I picked it I soon saw it was going to be a frog fish due to the stones natural shape it’s almost as if the stone wanted to be what I ended up carving. I Inlaid his eyes with black eyes. He measures at L 1 3/4 x W 5/8 x H 1 1/4 and is signed L.T. Enjoy and thanks for looking!
I had a lot of failed attempts when I started. The most difficult animal for me was the mountain lion. I felt that I never got the face right. I did have a mentor to help me: my grandfather Gibbs Othole. He gave me advice and shared his vision on how to carve by using the stone's natural pattern, shape and color.
My dad was supposed to take part in the SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Market and share a booth with Gibbs the year he passed. Since the booth was set for my dad, I took his place at the show. The second year, I was awarded the Youth Fellowship Award from SWAIA. At first I couldn't believe it! I took it as a sign my dad passed down his gift to me. Over the years I have won awards from the Heard Museum, Indian Market and the Santa Fe Indian Market.
My dad's work got another artist's attention, an Inuit carver who made dancing bears, seals, etc. He traded art with my dad and that is where my dad was inspired to make dancing critters. I also carry on the inspiration my dad had for that type of theme.
I go to gem and mineral shows to purchase rocks. When I shop, I try to pick out stones that are naturally shaped like animals, which make for a better way to take advantage of the stone. I sometimes go hiking and search for stones I think are suitable to carve. Throughout the time I have been carving I have learned a lot and have developed a skill I am proud of and one day will pass down.
I hope my carvings interest you and you find them to be fun, healing and full of happiness when they find their way into your lives.
Here is what I have to offer. My very unique and unusual rare fish I ever made the frog fish. Frog fish are a saltwater type. Frogfishes are any member of the anglerfish family Antennariidae, of the order Lophiiformes. They have always been my interest as I used to be in the huge saltwater hobby myself years ago. Sadly my aquarium was full of small peaceful tank mates which at the time left me to only appreciate the sight of them when at the aquarium shops I visited for the necessities for my aquarium. They are among the only fish I know of that resemble leg like fins which can make them look as if they walk like us in a way they are very patient, secretive and opportunistic predators. One thing that is also unique to the frog fish unlike cuttle fish and octopus they can change color but not rapidly it usually takes more time sometimes days to commit to a color for their camouflage. Now back to the carving I carved him out of a beautiful piece of Azurite from New Mexico. When I picked it I soon saw it was going to be a frog fish due to the stones natural shape it’s almost as if the stone wanted to be what I ended up carving. I Inlaid his eyes with black eyes. He measures at L 1 3/4 x W 5/8 x H 1 1/4 and is signed L.T. Enjoy and thanks for looking!
