Lorraine García-Nakata, Pastel on paper, 7ft 6ft, 2021
Centuries of colonial indoctrination has made us lean toward guilt, justifying our existence, fear and other joyless default mechanisms. This woman has found her power in envisioning what she needs and desires. She reclaims joy! – Lorraine García-Nakata 2021
Lorraine García-Nakata, pastel on paper, 6ft x 7ft, 2021
In the early 1990’s Wanona La Duke spoke with a small group of us. Among other things she shared (passed to her by others) was that to keep things in balance you must, “Take what you need, and leave the rest.” While it seems simple, it is a challenge to live this in practice when applying it to the overall aspects one’s life because it can include bank accounts or any areas of, or illusion of, “ownership.” Here, this contemporary First Nation male stops to ponder, consider this and so many other ways to navigate life..in balance. –– Lorraine García-Nakata, 2021
Lorraine García-Nakata, pastel on paper, 6ft x7ft, 2021
Children and their inherent quiet knowledge are an important point of this First Nation child depiction, “precious knowledge” that we as adults must learn to recognize and explore. Though she may be still, her mind and what she has to offer adult humans, if we pay attention and listen, is highly active. –– Lorraine García-Nakata, 2021
Lorraine García-Nakata, Pastel on paper, 7ft x 6 ft, 2021
It can take a lifetime to realize that your personal “power” is always there and available. All that a person has experienced, will experience, provides many levels of “precious” knowledge that you can engage, without moving, over-doing, or speaking a word. Where you stand, in the present, is a place of power. It is where you are supposed to be. – Lorraine García-Nakata, 2021
Lorraine García-Nakata, Pastel on paper, 7ft x 6 ft, 2021
Whether a wise elder, or young in life experiences, intense sadness can enter life. This feather evokes precious wisdom and the texture indicates energy. To navigate sadness, you must allow yourself to feel it, and then find its meaning. In doing so, sadness can be released, transformed, bit by bit. ––Lorraine García-Nakata
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, pastel on paper, 7 ft. x 6 ft., 2019
This drawing came forward during the period the sun, moon, earth aligned with the second birthday of my granddaughter, nieta Noor Villegas García. In this drawing, Noor in her future adult persona, turns to show her heart in hand. It is a visual of the power and strength my nieta revealed to me during her earliest weeks. Noor will be knowing regarding her purpose and will insist on having the room to spread her powerful female wings. In other words, she will not adhere well to a male framework pressing her to conform to a limited, submissive male version of her female position.
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, pastel on paper, 7 ft. x 7ft., 2015
Drawn October, 2015 while in Residence at the Galeria de la Raza/Studio 24, San Francisco, Ca.
As a repeating persona in my work (since 1974), Alma has seen and experienced many things. Here, Alma pauses, resigned to witness repeat experiences that are part of life and those experiences that cannot be skipped or bypassed. She is also resigned to witnessing the disappointing, ignorant, and sometimes harmful ways people treat each other. Knowing what she herself can do (and not do) in order to help counter these patterns, she pauses, clears the mind, takes a long slow breath, before initiating her next action.
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, Pastel on paper, 7 ft x7 ft, 2015
Rendered while in Residence October 2015 at the Galeria de la Raza/Studio 24, San Francisco, Ca. I have always felt that a human will evolve to its next phase of development when it can truly listen, hear, and act upon what its elders and smallest of children perceive and can share with humans who, at the ages in between, who feel they know what they need to know in order to navigate primary decisions affecting us all. Given the increased turmoil world wide that we are witnessing, I feel even more strongly that it will be these elders, along with some of the very, very young children, who will know what to do. It will require that the world become ready to hear and listen to what they have to say. The title, “Children Who Make it Rain,” recognizes the precious knowledge and power children have.
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, charcoal on paper, 7 ft. x 7 ft., 2015
“Natural History” references the scope and accuracy of our various histories. In that history resides the “precious knowledge” that our ancestors understood, yet is no longer part of our human education. . “Natural History” also acknowledges the African Diaspora in our various cultures. For example, when looking at the cultural lineage of México and Latin America, * “la Tercera Raíz––Third Root, Africa, with the indigenous seen as the First Root and the Spanish as the Second Root of Mexico.” “Natural History” is also about the act of speaking for ourselves, about ourselves––which I refer to as “first voice.” I was introduced to this idea in the early 1970’s when listening to Indigenous elders. It has been a powerful tool in my ability to self-describe and self-determine as a woman, an artist, mother, and as an art and cultural specialist initiating important shifts in the world.-Lorraine García-Nakata 2015
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, Alma Line Series, charcoal on paper, 22” x 30,” 2013
This drawing is one of over 40 drawings that make up the “Alma Series.” Quick line drawings in charcoal. Here, Alma is in strong, loud defiance. - Lorraine García-Nakata, 2013
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, Alma Line Series, charcoal on paper, 30” x 22,” 2013
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, Alma Line Series, charcoal on paper, 22” x 30,” 2012
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, charcoal on paper, 7ft.x 4ft. 2,” 2008
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, charcoal on paper, 7ft.x 4ft. 2,” 2008
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, charcoal/pastel on paper,
7ft.x 4ft. 2,” 2008
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, charcoal on paper, 7ft.x 4ft. 2,” 2008
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, pastel on paper, 7ft.1/2”x 4ft. 2,” 2007
When I draw, I have a general idea or concept of what I want to create. As this one progressed, it changed a lot, more so than usual (features, skin tone, expression, my color pallet) before reaching its final state. Once completed, I sat to view the work, to understand it, as I often do. I then realized she was my late daughter, Lamar whom I’d lost at birth, full term, on the day she was due (Jan. 16, 1981). This drawing let me know that she is now powerful, a woman, ancient, wise, grounded, & very present to help guide. I was surprised, but happily so. Yes, tears came, but from a grateful emotion, not sad. It was a gift. She was, is a gift. (I named her after a curator I worked with in Seattle, Wash.–the late, Lamar Harrington. She treated me well, guided me, at my very young age).
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, pastel on paper, 7ft.x 4ft. 2,” 2007
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, pastel on paper, 7ft.x 4ft. 2,” 2006
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, diptych-(left side) pastel on paper,
7ft.x 3ft. 9,” 2005
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, diptych-(right side) pastel on paper,
7ft.x 3ft. 9,” 2005
Lorraine García-Nakata, pastel on paper, 29"x30", 2005 Collection of Sandra Hernandez
Since my youth, a woman persona (wearing this specific blue trimmed dress), has been in a recurring dream. She provided grounding and comfort. Powerful and ancient, she studies the metaphysical, natural world, and inter-dependence of all things (basic elements, hidden small truths, their connection to her destiny and the revelations found when not deliberately looking or searching). The ruby elements in her ring provide: instinct/energy for inspiration and courage. Facing away, symbolizes her ability to continue, sometimes complex/challenging work, without requiring assistance or “approval” from others to commit and proceed. - Lorraine García-Nakata 2005
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, pastel on paper, 29”x 30,” 2004
Collection of: David Bishoff
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, pastel on paper, 29” x 30,” 2002
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, charcoal on paper, 7ft.x 3ft. 9,” 1990
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, diptych-(left side) charcoal on paper,
7ft.x 3ft. 9,” 1990
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, diptych-(right side) charcoal on paper, 7ft.x 3ft. 9,” 1990
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, oil pastel on paper, 28”x 30,” 1985
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, oil pastel on paper, 28”x 30,” 1985
Collection of: David Telstar
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, oil pastel on paper, 28”x 30,” 1985
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, charcoal on paper, 22” x 28,” 1980
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, charcoal on paper, 22” x 28,” 1981
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, charcoal on paper, 22” x 28,” 1980
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, charcoal on paper, 18” x 24,” 1980
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, charcoal on paper, 20” x 30,” 1981
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, charcoal on paper, 18” x 24,” 1980
Artist: Lorraine García-Nakata, charcoal on paper, 18” x 24,” 1980