Little River Simpson: A Sand Painting Artist

I really enjoy telling stories that are uplifting and make you feel good. And most tales of artistic success are filled with good examples of people who worked hard and really wanted to succeed.

It is my belief that there is an inherent goodness in people, and while all of us have our own demons and insecurities to deal with, most people can work it out and find their way.

Sometimes, there are artists who just can’t beat what’s going on inside of them. Sadly, it is often not because of a lack of support. And while we are all prone to shaking our heads when someone loses their footing, we aren’t walking in their shoes.

An artist named Little River Simpson died almost a year ago in Farmington, New Mexico. He was only 63. Little River may have been, except for Eugene Joe (Baatsoslani), the most amazing Navajo pictorial sand painter.

He painted landscapes and family scenes using natural sandstone and crushed rock. The first time I saw his sand paintings I was impressed by two things. The first was the quality of the actual paintings and the second was the beautiful penmanship he used on the back of the painting to name and sign the work.

It reminded me of my grandfather’s handwriting. It also made me remember Parker’s Penmanship in 2nd grade with Mrs. O’Connell smacking your hand with a ruler when you moved your fingers instead of rolling the letters with your forearms!

It was at least thirty years ago that I first saw Little River’s work. He sold it all in Farmington. His subjects were family gatherings, weavers and silversmiths and beautiful landscapes, including some great sand paintings of the Grand Canyon.

I talked to several traders in Farmington who told me that he was an amazing talent when he was sober and almost as good when he wasn’t. But there was the problem. No one wanted to support his habit, and no one was going to give him the money his work was worth when they couldn’t depend on him and knew what he was doing with it.

In his last years, a minister in Farmington befriended Little River and his family and began to work with him. For a while, it worked. The minister would give him an order for a certain type of sand painting, with the understanding that he had to stay sober, go to classes and involve his family.

He would buy the paintings and had them beautifully framed. He really had no idea what he was going to do with them, but it was accomplishing the goal of helping the artist.

I learned a long time ago that you can do all you can to help someone, but at end of the day, they must want to change as well.   It didn’t end up well for Little River and it caught up with him last December. I was truly sorry to hear about it. When I talked to the minister, he said that many people had tried, but sometimes you must accept what happens. He was disappointed, of course, but appreciated Little River for who he was.

The collection of sand paintings that he created towards the end of his life are outstanding. They are beautiful and I like to think that they reflect the true soul of Little River Simpson. People go through life and leave legacies. I believe that his work was the gift he left the world.

This collection is being offered for sale. The minister priced the pieces at what he paid for the work and the framing. He wants people who will treasure and appreciate the work to enjoy it as a tribute to the artistic talent of the man.