Peter Ray James, Navajo artist, is a creator of Spiritual Fabric Art.
James is a 1984 honors graduate of the Institute of American Indian Arts of Santa Fe, New Mexico. He has also attended the Parsons School of Design in New York City. Peter Ray James introduced his art to the competitive Indian Art world in the spring of 1988. Since then he has sold a little over 1,200 masks and 900 canvases. His art has been on album covers, prominent art show posters, and numerous newspaper and magazine covers.
His celebrity collectors include Ahmad and Phylicia Rashad, Ted Danson, John Bon Jovi , and Wynonna Judd. "I am known among my Navajo people as Nahat'a Yilth Yil Wood “One Who Delivers the Message." It is my Navajo name that braids many generations of prayers, symbolism, tradition, honor, knowledge, and love. I truly believe my destiny is to be a storyteller through my artist endeavors. I am always honored and respectful to represent my family name in my homeland and abroad".
"The powerful reason I create art is that my finger prints have become ageless through enduring generations. My great grandfathers and grandmothers were in a transitional movement as I am now in this society. In my Navajo language there is a word called “linaah,” which describes the path of life. It is a journey that braids several generations into one symbol and thought. I believe this process is powerful and sincere. In this mist of this transition there is no separation of art and life. The Creator has given all of us one breath and one soul. We receive our own symbols through prayers and giving. In return, the Creator encourages us to share our messages through stories in color."
