Susi Nagoda Bergquist — Baby Coyotes on Old Paint, 2004, Sumi on Paper

Playful and deeply narrative, Baby Coyotes on Old Paint by Susi Nagoda Bergquist embodies the artist’s fascination with Southwestern folklore and mythic storytelling. Executed in sumi ink and watercolor on paper, the work depicts a spirited group of young coyotes—dressed in striped ceremonial garb—riding a boldly patterned horse, blending humor, heritage, and symbolic depth. Signed and dated Susi Nagoda Bergquist, 2004 at lower right.

Bergquist’s art draws upon the folk tales of the O’odham (Papago) people she heard as a child, transforming those stories into whimsical and expressive visual narratives. Her unique style bridges anthropology and fine art, interpreting the “animal people” of Native legend with modern materials and techniques.

Medium:

Sumi ink and watercolor on paper

Dimensions:

Visible (sight): 10 ½" × 12 ½"
Overall (framed): 19" × 21"

Provenance:

Acquired from Glenn Cutter Jewelers & Gallery, Las Cruces, New Mexico, February 11, 2005 (original sales receipt included).
Original gallery label affixed verso: “Baby Coyotes on Old Paint — Sumi on Paper — Susi Nagoda Bergquist — $450.00.”

Artist Biography:

Susi Nagoda Bergquist is an American artist known for her imaginative interpretations of Southwestern and Native American folklore. Influenced by the O’odham stories told to her in childhood, Bergquist began illustrating these “animal people” in clay and drawings while raising her own children. She and her husband, Richard Bergquist, construct their own ceramic and mixed-media materials, combining ancient techniques with modern innovation.

Her works are held in major museum collections, including the Museum of Modern Art, Heard Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Seattle Folk Art Museum, and El Paso Art Museum, among others. Bergquist’s art has received multiple Purchase Awards and “Best in Show” honors for its unique blend of storytelling, humor, and cultural reverence.

Condition:

In very good condition overall. Colors remain bright and unfaded. Paper surface is clean and stable with no tears or creases. Frame shows minor wear consistent with age but displays beautifully.