Beatien Yazz Original Painting of Sprinting Fawn [SOLD]

Electrifying Elegance:

Beatien Yazz's Captivating Portrayal of a Fawn in Sprint

Beatien Yazz, a self-taught artist from the Navajo Nation, left an indelible mark on the art world with his distinctive style. His watercolor paintings, highly sought after by collectors, capture the essence of his culture and surroundings. This captivating painting featuring a black and white fawn in full sprint is typical of his artistic works.

Yazz's portrayal of the fawn is electrifying. The creature charges directly toward the viewer, its body poised for action. The head turned sideways suggests anticipation—a sudden change of direction, perhaps. The exaggerated eyes and ears heighten the sense of urgency, drawing us into the fawn's world.

Yazz's choice of black and white paint on off-white paper was deliberate. By limiting the palette, he intensified the drama. The stark contrast between the dark fawn and the paper's neutral background amplifies the fawn's energy. It's as if the monochrome palette captures the essence of movement itself.

Amidst the fawn's sprint, a small cluster of plants bends in the wind. These delicate details add depth and context. They remind us that nature is in constant motion, mirroring the fawn's urgency. Yazz's skill lies in capturing both the grand and the subtle.

Above the fawn, two birds circle—an unexpected touch. Their flight path intersects with the fawn's trajectory, creating a dynamic composition. The sky remains unadorned, a vast canvas for the fawn's journey. Its emptiness contrasts with the bustling scene below, emphasizing the fawn's singular focus. Yazz invites us to contemplate the open expanse and the fawn's determination.

In this monochromatic painting, Beatien Yazz captured movement, anticipation, and the raw beauty of nature. The sprinting fawn becomes a symbol of resilience—a reminder that even in simplicity, art can evoke powerful emotions. Yazz's legacy lives on, inspiring generations to appreciate the world through an artist's eyes.

The painting is signed B. Yazz in the lower right.  It is framed beautifully using a black mat and a simple black frame.

Beatien Yazz (1928- ) Little No Shirt (Jimmy Toddy) is a Diné artist.  Clara Lee Tanner’s Southwest Indian Painting: A Changing Art provides a helpful description of his style: “He has adhered basically to casein and tempera, seldom using any other media. His coverage in subject matter has been broad, including many aspects of Navajo daily life, ceremonies, crafts, delightful portrayals of the wildlife of his native land—often with a humorous touch—amusements, and symbolic design… Keen ability is reflected in the versatility of his work developed in a variety of paintings ranging from notepaper and charming illustrations for children’s books to sophisticated easel painting…” (p. 346)

Did you know? All fawns lose their spots after they are three or four months old. Mother deer often hide their youngest baby deer in vegetation while they forage for food to protect them from natural predators. Source: Outdoors Being website.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Beatien Yazz Original Painting of Sprinting Fawn is from a private New Mexico collection

Recommended Reading: Southwest Indian Painting: A Changing Art, Clara Lee Tanner

TAGS: Navajo Reservation, Spin a Silver Dollar, Paint the Wind, paintings, Beatien Yazz, Navajo Nation Painter