Marvin Jim and Grace Begay
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Marvin Jim Begay was born in 1966 and raised in a small rural community near Chinle, Arizona—traditional Navajo sheep and goat country. As a child, he made his own toys—trucks and people—carved from wood because there were no commercial toys available. In 1993, he married Grace Begay who said she grew up in an artistic family of weavers, wood carvers and basket makers.
It was Grace Begay who encouraged her husband to put his carving talents into making folk art objects. Jim has become one of the most innovative of the Navajo folk art artists in that he truly creates new items based on his heritage.
He is the carver of the figures and his wife, Grace Begay, is the painter. They have worked together since their marriage in 1993.
Recommended Reading: Navajo Folk Art by Chuck and Jan Rosenak