I am my grandmother and my grandfather. I am my mother and my father. I am caretaker and the child. I am the provider and the protector. I am a teacher and a guide. I am the four-legged and the winged bird. I am nature and my surroundings. I am seer and storyteller. It is with these creations that I my place, my roots, and my courage. I am Ashiihii (Salt Clan) born for the To’ahanii [Near-The-Water-Clan] and was born to the Navajo Nation. I am a gift from Creation as was told by our elders. I was raised by my grandparents, Gilmore and Della Graymountain of Navajo Mountain, Arizona.

I could be each character in the painting. Our elders told of our lineage through oral traditions and the timeless ceremonies of our people. I learned of these teachings through my ancestors to become the strong free-thinking woman who lives in two separate realms, Navajo and then Western society.

The memory of my grandparents inspire my drawings, paintings and photography. I aspire to reflect their loving guidance in the stories I paint. Every stroke of the brush I make is a prayer of thanks to their gift of my life, and my hope of the return to unity.

You can email Andrea at acastillocreations@gmail.com.