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Ever since he was a small boy, Hoke Denetsosie has wanted to paint pictures depicting the colorful way of life of his people, the Navajo. Now Hoke's work is gaining wide recognition, and he looks forward to the time when he can spend all working hours at his drawing board. Hoke Denetsosie...Navajo Artist Many travelers to the South- west have bought cartoon postcards signed "Hoke Denetsosie." The name, as well as the drawing style, intrigued Edgar Ellin- ger, Jr., and he resolved to learn more about this Navajo cartoon- ist. Here is the story of an Indian artist whose serious paintings are among the best examples oi native American art. By EDGAR ELLINGER, JR. Photographs by the author 7HE INTRIGUING signature, Hoke Denetsosie (Hoak Dinet-so'-sey), appears at the bottom of many cartoon postcards sold throughout the Southwest. The cartoons, skilfully drawn, illustrate gag situations relating to the West. Seeing one, my curiosity was aroused, both by the fascinating name of the artist and his interesting style—I wanted to learn more about the man behind this pen. Hearing that Hoke was living in Kanab, Utah, I wrote to him asking for an interview. Some time elapsed without an answer, so I sent a letter to the Kanab postmaster and asked him if he knew where I might reach the artist. Two days later a reply came from the postmaster: Hoke was in town and an interview could be arranged. The fact that he was available was all that was necessary. I packed the jeep and headed for Utah with the feeling that there must be something more behind the artist than his facile ability to knock out cartoons. I finally located Hoke not far from Kanab in the small town of Fredonia, Arizona. He was plastering a house for a friend and was living there while the work was in progress. He was frankly surprised at my desire to write a story about him, although he was 12 DESERT MAGAZINE
JULY, 1952 NAVAJO WEAVER, by Hoke Denetsosie, Indian artist. 13
Page 2 and 3: Death Valley through the ruins of t
Page 4 and 5: Life on the Desert By CHARLES BATTY
Page 6 and 7: v£. ALASKA^f^| 47 / 7 CALEXICO •
Page 8 and 9: Above—Children of the Santa Catar
Page 10 and 11: tunas, or prickly pear cactus fruit
Page 14 and 15: very friendly and modestly willing
Page 16 and 17: PARTS OF A PEACH BLOSSOM 4-ANTHEK 2
Page 18 and 19: Fig. 3—Early Devonian landscape w
Page 20 and 21: Agate Hunting Along the Gila By FEN
Page 22 and 23: Live-Forever (Echeveria saxosa) gro
Page 24 and 25: Goldfield, Nevada . . . Goldfield C
Page 26 and 27: ing to reports, the treasure vault
Page 28 and 29: Answers, Please . . . Burbank, Cali
Page 30 and 31: THE DESERT TRflDMG POST Classified
Page 32 and 33: May Develop Mesa Land . . . BLYTHE
Page 34 and 35: Teaching Standards Too High . . . W
Page 36 and 37: NEW LOW PRUDES! ABOVE ILLUSTRATION
Page 38 and 39: A D V E R T I S I N G RATE G E 111
Page 40 and 41: .i/nnton. DIAMOND BLADES L*' —/ "
Page 42 and 43: Qu5t Uetu/een you and Met 5ARLY IN
Page 44: INDIANS • ARCHEOLOGY • LOST TRE

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