Todd Westika is from the Quam and Quandelacy family of noted Zuni artists. As a youth, a love for rocks and minerals eventually drew him to become a geo engineer, graduating from New Mexico Tech. Later, a trip home to Zuni changed his life course as he decided to become a full-time carver instead. His late aunt Rhoda Quam taught him the fundamentals, while his grandmother said to "always have good thoughts when you are working because that energy goes into the carving.” Todd's first piece was a hunched-back Bear. His motor for grinding came from an old washing machine.
Sculpted from an appealing onyx, Todd's good energy Bison measures about 3" long, 3/4" wide and roughly 1 5/8" tall. He told us he enjoys carving with unusual and non-toxic stones. Mighty horns are from pen shell and eyes are from sterling silver inlays. An elegantly carved turquoise point is joined by silver and coral beads in the offering bundle.
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