Wright's Indian Art > Artist: L. Eugene Nelson (Navajo)

"Unique"is much overused, but really does apply to this prize-winning artist's work. Trained as an architectural draftsman, Eugene carries the same meticulous mind-set to his intricate jewelry. Each piece is designed, on paper, to scale. If the right stones are not available, the piece doesn't get made until they are. No one tries to copy Eugene's work; it is too complex and the ready made components many artists use don't fit these designs. This creativity runs in the family - Bennie "Yellowman" Nelson, the painter, is his brother, and Benjamin Ahn-Hia-Ohm Nelson, the young award-winning painter, is his nephew.