Meet Bobby Stills

We were lucky to catch up with Bobby Stills recently and have shared our conversation below.

Bobby, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I don’t come from a rich family so we’ve always had to hustle. My Mom worked two jobs to keep the lights on and feed us so as soon as I could get a job I did. My first job was at a Swapmeet where my Grandmother had a booth, I would help her unload her van and then go find another vendor who needed help that weekend. So at an early age I was taught to work hard to get what I needed and wanted.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

It’s been hard to call my self an artist so I just write that for the masses,I consider myself a Creative simply because I like to create with everything. I build Native American action figures but it’s expanded to Star Wars themed figures and Modern Day Kachinas. I am also a Silversmith and also like to produce Native designed tshirts for my brand Children Of The Sun. I’ve been blessed to show in the Faharnheight Gallery for the past four years during Santa Fe Indian Market and currently have pieces there and at Keep Contemporary Gallery in Santa Fe. Soon you will be able to visit the Autry Museum in Los Angeles and see on display a Lowrider bike I built in collaboration with Tasheena Littleben an amazing weaver and my beautiful wife.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Your biggest challenge is yourself,self doubt is the number one reason for failure. I’m a stubborn person and I don’t give up so I keep trying till it works.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

I can’t say there has been one person that has most helped or guided me. I have been blessed with many like my wife Tasheena Littleben an amazing support and artist and Lyndon Tsosie an award winning jeweler my silversmith mentor along with elders that I’ve met along this journey that just wanted to teach me to keep skills and traditions alive.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Bobby_Stills / chldrn_of_the_sun

Image Credits

Ben Moen