Becky Olvera Schultz

Biography

When I was young, I always wanted to be an artist. After high school, I wanted to take art classes in college. My mother was a nurse and she felt I should go pre-medical as I’d have a better chance of earning a living. Taking pre-med classes didn’t work for me and feeling not supported by family at the time, I dropped out of college. Several years went by and I ended up in the publication industry where I interviewed businesses, took their photos and wrote editorials, as well as selling print advertising. I was good at it and I eventually forgot about being an artist.

This changed when I lost my brother. While grieving a friend suggested I take a Native American drum making class as a distraction. It was fun. I remembered again how good it felt to work with my hands! It was such a centering and calm experience. I realized that if I had not lost my brother, I may have never gone back to art so I feel his death was a gift to me to rediscover myself.

Soon after I took a clay class and discovered I was good at sculpting faces. My focus was indigenous faces. My work was inspired by images in books but most of my pieces were faces that just emerged from the clay from my own vision. I started painting the faces and adding horse hair and other adornments.

When my masks were displayed publicly some people were intimidated or scared by how realistic they were. That’s when I started making clay and gourd masks in a Southwestern style which were more whimsical and colorful. Eventually I started making rawhide shields as a compliment to both styles of masks.

Always one to crave variety, I began creating two-dimensional mixed media works which included photography, serigraphy, painting, photo transfer, collage, dolls and other works. I often use bold contrast in my images and my Native masks are usually painted in the traditional Native American colors of the four directions, red, black, white and yellow. My Southwestern pieces however are in many different colors.  

Recently I organized and promoted the first ever Native Arts Market in Santa Cruz County. An overwhelming success, I plan on having 2 markets a year, one in the spring or summer and one during the holidays. The community was very supportive and thrilled to have the opportunity to attend this Native American event, which was a very much needed and welcomed venue.

I believe my own indigenous bloodline, natural talent, research and travel experiences have all contributed to my specific style of art. Over the years my art has been featured in nine museum exhibitions, galleries in several states as well as included in countless national and local exhibitions and Santa Cruz Open Studios twelve times. My art has been featured in the national magazines Cowboys & Indians, Wild West and Native Peoples. 

 

Artist Statement

I have directed my consuming interest in the native peoples of the Americas into my own personal art expression. I derive immense satisfaction from putting life into the materials I work with. My art is an extension of my spirit, a piece of my personal vision and a constant source of comfort and healing for me.

Image

 

Untitled Mask 
Low fire white clay, acrylic paint
8"h x 5"w x 2"d
2016
$375