Charlie Bird is from a family of talented artists and is a descendant of the Laguna and Santo Domingo Pueblos. While Charlie was growing up, his father worked with the Southern Pacific Railroad and he traveled quite a bit, which he loved. He eventually returned to Santo Domingo Pueblo where he was a member of the Southwest Firefighters Association. He made his way into the art world managing a store in Santa Fe wholesaling jewelry where he was constantly encouraged to develop his own style of …
Charlie Bird is from a family of talented artists and is a descendant of the Laguna and Santo Domingo Pueblos. While Charlie was growing up, his father worked with the Southern Pacific Railroad and he traveled quite a bit, which he loved. He eventually returned to Santo Domingo Pueblo where he was a member of the Southwest Firefighters Association. He made his way into the art world managing a store in Santa Fe wholesaling jewelry where he was constantly encouraged to develop his own style of jewelry.
Bird began in beadwork then was inspired to do mosaics after a life changing trip to Chaco Canyon, the site of ancient Anasazi ruins. “I couldn’t get over the way the stones fit together and made their own mosaic. Then there were the openings to all of the rooms that created another pattern.” says Bird. His fascination with the precision of the stonework and the different light patterns created by door openings and windows created a whole new style of jewelry for Bird. He began to depict Chaco Canyon in his jewelry and has perfected his style and technique.
Bird likes spending his free time out doors where much of his creativity comes from. He is inspired by the colors of the land as well as the changing New Mexican Sky. “When I first saw the cliffs at Jemez Pueblo I began to incorporate black, brown and white into my designs.” Bird’s color palette ranges from beautiful warm earth tones to timeless shimmering grays and onyx black. His stones are exquisitely fitted; the pieces are so close together that there are no apparent seams or gaps. Charlie Bird’s Mosaics are stunning depictions of the ever changing moods of the southwestern landscape. Charlie is the brother of artist Gail Bird and potter Harry LittleBird.
