Aloha from your humble Fabuloso

I grew up in the 4-Corners area of the Navajo Nation, around Shiprock and Farmington, New Mexico. I graduated High School from the Navajo Preparatory School in 1995 then studied 2-D Arts and Photography at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe. I graduated IAIA in the summer of 2000. Much of my artistic endeavors stem from my love of the craft itself. In terms of photography, I fell in love with grainy film and rough edges while maintaining crisp and cleverly captured moments in a solid frame. My other primary practice is sequential and 2-D art. I employ high-contrast and thick lines to convey bold imagery matched with bright and vivid colors. Artwork that can be used to not only express, but captivate and manipulate thought and action has always been my goal as an artist.

Some of you might not know everything you need to know about Dale Ray Deforest.

You should be ashamed. You were told there would be a test. It was on the syllabus. This exam will make up 300% of your overall grade. Failing notices will be sent to your local comic shop, your mother, and your fifth grade teacher.

First question.

  1. Dale Ray Deforest is:
    A) A Golden Age Science Fiction author who once fought L. Ron Hubbard bare-knuckles and shirtless on the steps of the Brooklyn public library
    B) A Kentucky politician who once campaigned on the platform of mandatory pants for livestock
    C) A 21st century Diné artist and illustrator whose style is at once surprising and familiar, innovative yet classic, a man who always smells fresher than fresh.

  2. A poster of Dale Ray Deforest’s Kill Bill parody is hanging:
    A) In the Vatican
    B) in the Office of the Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland
    C) In the Ladies room at the Albuquerque bus station

  3. Dale Ray Deforest is single-handedly responsible for:
    A) The dramatic increase in numbers and size of lobsters worldwide
    B) The coming alien invasion
    C) the cover art for Rebecca Roanhorse’s Race to the Sun

  4. Dale Ray Deforest’s two independent series Hero Twins and Rez Luv have inspired:
    A) graffiti in restrooms across the US
    B) scrutiny from the U.S. secret service
    C) artists and writers across genres and media and across Indian Country to produce meaningful and authentic work.

  5. Dale Ray Deforest’s pop culture parodies have garnered legions of:
    A) lawsuits for copyright infringement
    B) Temu knock-offs in sizes limited to women’s small and medium
    C) fans across the internet

  6. Dale Ray Deforest’s work has been displayed:
    A) next to the mug shots in the New Mexico Bureau of Investigation Albuquerque office
    B) in NASA’s Voyager space ship
    C) along side pieces by fine artists James Luna, Allan Houser, and Rose B. Simpson.

He’s genuinely impressive. His work conveys both humor and pathos and is unmistakably his own. He’s humble. He’s lactose intolerant and one of the most distinctive and truly iconic illustrators of our times.

[written on behalf of Dale Ray Deforest by] Weyodi Oldbear