Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Judy & Kendall Mansfield. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Judy & Kendall, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Judy was widowed with six children ranging from three months to twelve years. She then determined that she would not wait for circumstances to control her. Judy would take action first and expect more favorable outcomes. Through this proactive stance she learned much. She admittedly made mistakes, but continued to act upon decisions she made. It was less difficult for her to get back up, if she made the conditions of the situation. This was passed down to her daughter Kendall.
Both experienced Native childhood and their life has always been simple. They both continue to unravel complexity and deal with the individual strings that matter most. They know they won’t be able to solve all, but handle what’s most important. Both Judy and Kendall hope to uncover the root of success and not dwell in the many branches of indecision.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Judy Mansfield and her daughter Kendall Mansfield are thriving Native Artists. From Native Beadwork, basketry, sculpture, digital photography and painting they keep their Native American identity central to their craft.
Judy, a retired university math instructor, works at the Springville Museum of art and an adjunct instructor at UVU community education. She teaches various indigenous beadwork techniques in her classes. She includes her cultural knowledge of traditions, song, and dance during her instruction.
At the heart of Judy’s beadwork is her passion of creating traditional men’s and women’s fully beaded Native Regalia. Beaded dresses, vests, cuffs, bags, leggings, and moccasins are some of her craft. Adorning hats with beaded design is a modern twist Judy has added to her collection.
Judy is a former Miss Yakama Nation, Miss Indian Brigham Young University, and Miss National Congress of American Indians. Native Beadwork has always been a part of her life since childhood. When Judy was very young, tradition taught her to give away her first beaded item. She gave it to her Aunt Elsie who was a renown traditional elder of the Yakama Tribe. Judy enjoys Corn Husk basketry which she learned from her elder sister Lorena. They enjoy sharing their creations.
Kendall Rena Mansfield is a contemporary, Native American artist who spends countless hours producing beadwork and basketry, as well as photography and acrylic paintings. Born in Belcourt, North Dakota, Kendall spent most of her life in Washington state engaged in the cultural heritage of her Yakama, Shoshone, Choctaw and Hopi ancestry. She has been honored in making Native royalty beaded crowns.
Today, she resides in Utah earning her master’s degree in art education at Brigham Young University-Provo. Her graduate research involves media literacy education for the Native American students and community.
Her artwork is a testament of Native American art that carries on the legacy of her ancestors through her artistry.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Master your current language. Expand your vocabulary, evaluate your comprehension, and effectively speak your first language. You can then express yourself fluently to an audience that thirsts to understand your art form.
Create a specific music playlist for artistry. Music embeds tranquility or can add energy to your planned project. It is personal and comforting.
Keep family your first priority. For me, this is my foundation. Any professional disappointments were never catastrophic because it was not where my heart lived. I felt the ups and downs of an artistic career, but they were always buffered by my children’s love. And the triumphs were six times as joyous.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
They were survivors. Judy’s parents (Kendall’s Grandparents) fluently spoke their Native Language. They both survived Native Boarding schools where they were punished to keep Native language or customs.
During Judy’s childhood, they were explorers who learned how to navigate their lives in a new changing world, yet revere their parents teaching.
We leaned how to stay confident when ridiculed because of them.
We knew we could succeed in school because they did.
We learned to have a strong work ethic because they knew the labors of agricultural field work.
They are no longer alive, but what they transferred to us is still alive
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kendallmansfield.wixsite.com/website
- Instagram: kmansfield_art_native
- Facebook: Kendall Rena Mansfield
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendall-mansfield-439b69135
Image Credits
Karilee Park
Stephanie McFarland
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
