Meet Chris Navarro | Artist sculptor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Navarro and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, what do you attribute your success to?
From the very beginning, I had to find the path on my own, but I have never considered myself a self-taught artist; I am a self-educated artist. I have learned from the books I have read and the experiences and mistakes I’ve made. I do not believe that we’re born with a limited amount of talent, knowledge, or ability. Talent and knowledge can expand and grow. I have never allowed my lack of talent or knowledge stop me from doing what I believe to be meaningful. Art is more the product of a commitment made by ordinary people than it is the product of unique talent possessed by only a chosen few.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I know what it is like to have a dream, and you are the only one who can see it. There are times when you must believe in yourself even if no one else does. The secret to being an artist or successful at anything is, you must do the work. To be great at anything you must love what you do. You need to put the time in the studio with the materials in your hands. There are no short cuts it is about commitment, hour by hour day by day and year after year. Everyone faces rejection and difficulties in life we all get knocked down. The thing you must do is keep getting up and do the very best that is within you and that is all you can do. When we embrace the struggles in life it shapes and defines who you are. We need to look at challenges as opportunities that help us grow and become stronger. There is a power that is created when we go through pain and difficulties. With the lessons of life, we gain wisdom and experience growth. Pain and defeat show us more about who we are and what we are capable of. It is in the struggle where your strength is built and your character is forged and we become the person we are today. Because in the end it is not about how many years you lived in this world that is important. It is about the good you can do and what you leave behind that truly matters.
National award-winning artist Chris Navarro from Casper, WY is owner of Navarro Gallery and Sculpture Garden in Sedona, AZ. Navarro has been sculpting professionally since 1986. He is best known for his large public sculptures. His work is included in 12 museum collections and over 35 monumental bronze sculptures placed throughout the country. Monumental sculptures include a 16-foot-tall Bronze of the famous bucking horse Steamboat for the University of Wyoming. ‘’ and ‘’The Messenger’’ for the historical Alamo Mission in San Antonio, TX. The author of 4 books ‘’CHASING THE WIND’’ ‘’EMBRACE THE STRUGGLE’’ DARE TO DREAM BIG’ ’and the ‘’ART OF RODEO’’ He was selected as the Honorary Artist for the 2015 Buffalo Bill Art Show in Cody, WY received the 2015 Wyoming Governor’s art award and in 2018 the Distinguished Alumni Award from Casper College. In 2021 he received the Legacy Award and induction into the Bull Riding Hall of Fame. in 2022 inducted into the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum Hall of Fame Fort Worth, TX.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Go to Yellowstone Park and then to Cody Wyoming and visit the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. You will be inspired.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My wife Lynne Navarro

Website: http://www.chrisnavarro.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisnavarroartist/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjnavarro/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/chrisnavarroart

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.navarro.777

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/chrisnavarrostudio/videos

Other: Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/chrisnavarro/

Image Credits
photo’s by Chris Navarro