About the Artist
Nelson's mother, Lucy, a
weaver from Two Grey Hills, New Mexico, and his father, Ben Sr., a silversmith
and mason from
Window Rock, Arizona, both provided the inspiration that drew him toward a
career in Fine Art.
As a child, he was educated at government boarding schools on
the Navajo reservation. Later, he attended art classes at Yavapai Community
College in Prescott, Arizona.
His first experience
selling art was doing pencil drawings of his classmates as a way to earn extra
money. Tsosie continued studies in Commercial Art and Fine Art at the University
of Arizona in Tucson. Studying and creating art came naturally to Nelson.
His first appearance at the Santa Fe Indian Market came in
1989. His inspiration comes from his background. He draws on his experiences of
growing up as a child away from home. He focuses on the sense of human spirit and a
sense of belonging.