LISA CHAVEZ-THOMAS A MEMBER OF THE PUEBLO OF ISLETA Like many artists, I find that I have great difficulty speaking or writing about myself or my artwork.  This, however, I can truly say, I absolutely love what I do and recognize that I am so fortunate to have bestowed upon me the gift of creativity by our Great Spirit. As an artist and as a person, I believe it is my responsibility to accept this creative gift, blend it with my personal and cultural histories and apply it in a variety of artistic mediums to create the finest work that I am able. Born in California, to parents of Native American blood and New Mexican Hispanic heritage, I am most fortunate to have been raised in a wonderful household full of love and encouragement where every mud pot and stick drawing that I made was beautiful. As a child and into my late teen years, I found myself spending time during the school months in California and Summer months on the reservation at Isleta Pueblo, New Mexico and at Peralta, New Mexico, a small Spanish village just south of Isleta. I am a proud member of Isleta Pueblo, where from my Mother and my cherished Grandparents, I learned of our bountiful heritage, customs and beliefs. It is from this rich history that I find the basis for the themes that I employ in my work. The reverence for our Great Spirit and our other Deities, the love and respect for all of nature and the joys and sorrows of being human are, often, the most visited subjects found in my art. Although, I use a wide variety of techniques and medium in my artwork, my particular specialization would be "pyroengraving" or burning of an original design onto the surface of a hand-cleaned, cut and prepared gourd and/or handcrafted woodwork piece. I am a self-taught pyroengraver, but my background in design, aesthetic layout and attention to detail comes, solely from my Father, who patiently taught and guided me through years of education in drafting and, ultimately, architectural design and construction. Without all of the influences and direction that I have gained over the years, the gift that I have received from our Great Spirit would stagnate, so I give my thanks to all of you that have had such a great and inspiring effect upon me.