‘The
Creator chooses His own messengers’
Jd Challenger drew inspiration from
a Holy Man at a Ghost Dance.
Taos
New Mexico philanthropist artist Jd Challenger will
be visiting Carefree Arizona Nov 17‑19th for
the Jd Challenger Gallery Re‑Opening and book
signing. Widely recognized as the most significant
native artist in the world today, Challenger spends
most of his time outside of his studio involved in
charity work. He unveils the new 2007 Parada del Sol
poster (“It’s a real dramatic native American with
a horse”), and attends the Cancer Awareness through
Research and Education (C.A.R.E.) Art Show at the
Mayo Research Center in Scottsdale, (by special invitation
only) where he has donated several works to the cause.
Challenger
says, “You have to give something back. I’m a firm
believer in that. I’ve been very, very lucky; very,
very blessed. I was crazy enough to have a dream and
blessed enough that it came true.”
It’s
unlikely you would happen upon the Challenger Gallery
by accident. It’s upstairs looking west onto Hum Road,
37555 Hum Road to be exact, in a Spanish colonial
style building. The gallery has a candle‑scented
tranquility with softly lilting native flute music
and Challenger paintings and giclees on all of the
walls and room dividers. Cowhides and native rugs
are on the floors, and massive Spanish influenced
desk and chairs make the space comfortable.
Challenger
comments, “We used to live there (Carefree, Arizona)
about three years ago and still maintain a home in
the area. We’re having fun with that gallery. We own
that one and I have one in Taos too. I’m real proud
of that gallery in Carefree. With the two galleries,
sometimes it gives me a chance to really play. I’ve
released some pieces that are real cutting edge.“
Challenger paintings have dramatic colors richly tied
to the earth with Native faces full of character and
eyes that speak. He came to realize his mission in
life after witnessing a Ghost Dance ceremony many
years ago. "As I stood there watching the chanting
and the dancing, I knew I wanted to paint Native stories.”
A Native Holy Man told him, "There has to be
a messenger and he doesn't have to be one of our People.
The Creator chooses His own messengers. Your path
is to tell our story and educate people about the
past and about what is still happening today."
Challenger says, “I’ve got a mission and my work isn’t
done. As long as the Creator wants me to, I’ll stick
with this mission.“
Born
in Oklahoma in 1951, and living there “long enough
to get the accent, but Arizona and New Mexico have
always been home.” Challenger has a creative passion
that began when he was a very young child. “I’ve always
been an artist. It was the only thing I could do,”
Challenger shares.
