After some stellar photo opportunities at this year's  SWAIA (Southwestern Association for Indian Arts) Indian Market, and a lively meeting with fellow photographer Steve Immel this week, I was on a photographic roll.  Steve and I discussed a great many things, including the development and marketing of books, and recent photo shoots, not to mention politics along with the meaning of our professional lives at this point in time.  An excellent way to add a little fuel to our creative fires for the week.

I am always a bit surprised but pleased when people at such prestigious events as the Indian Market are willing to let me - a complete stranger - photograph them and their work.  Makoche Pejuta (Eli Snow) from Alberta, Canada and the Canadian Rockies, and Tse Tsan (Maya Peña) of Santa Clara Pueblo (Kha'p'o Owingeh), allowed me to do so this year.

First, I turn to Makoche.  His creative spirit knows no bounds.  His beading art makes all his work - whether a vest, a pair of white jeans, a buffalo hide coat, a bag or papoose/baby carrier - extraordinary.  He hunted, skinned and stitched the buffalo, bear, and elk hides shown in these photographs.  

Indian Market - bead artist Eli Snow, 5 Alberta, Canada
 

Photo bomb child with sunglasses made me laugh when I saw him.  The shops along San Francisco Street in Santa Fe, were the backdrop for most of these shots.  

Indian Market - bead artist 2 by Eli Snow, Alberta, Canada Indian Market - bead artist Eli Snow 1, Alberta, Canada

Someone will wear these beaded jeans with pride, as well as the buffalo hide coat.

Indian Market - bead artist Eli Snow 3, Alberta, Canada Indian Market - bead work on buffalo robe 1 by Eli Snow, Alberta, Canada

Makoche (Eii) wearing his bear claw collar or necklace. 

Indian Market - bear claws by Eli Snow, Alberta, Canada

The work of Tse Tsan of Santa Clara Pueblo was sporting Best of Division ribbons for her work at this year's market.  

Indian Market 2026 artist Tse Tsan 1 Santa Clara Pueblo Indian Market 2026 artist Tse Tsan 3 Santa Clara Pueblo

Her digital illustrations on canvas very nearly provided a studio backdrop for this portrait.

Indian Market 2026 artist Tse Tsan 5 Santa Clara Pueblo

Her piece "Necrosis" (in the background below) won a first place ribbon at Indian Market two years ago.

Indian Market 2026 artist Tse Tsan 6 Santa Clara Pueblo Indian Market 2026 artist Tse Tsan 9 Santa Clara Pueblo Indian Market 2026 artist Tse Tsan 12 Santa Clara Pueblo  

As always seems to be the case at such an expansive event, I felt there were so many images I could have taken and people to photograph, that I told myself to be more thorough next year.  An Instagram page for Tse Tstan and a Facebook page for Makoche are included below.  Clink on the links to explore them.

https://www.instagram.com/tsetsan/p/DcR-kEgNwek/
     

https://www.facebook.com/nativeamericanartmagazine/posts/see-artist-makoche-pejuta-eli-snow-swaia-santa-fe-indian-market-booth-fr-p-300hi/1717429816824700/
 

Thanks to TTT, Christina, Jean & Sam, Tim A., Marilyn G., Catherine, Veronica, and Steve for writing about last week's blog, and Makoche Pejuta and Tse Tsan for being such great models. 

Enjoy the last full week of August, with your cameras in hand!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©