The art of Mescalero Apache Oilver Enjady hangs in galleries, museums and private collections. But what many admirers of his artwork don\u2019t know is that for nearly a decade, he\u2019s struggled to regain his emotional footing after the death of one of his sons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI lost my son due to suicide and he was one of my critics, someone I would turn to and ask what he thought\u201d, Enjady said during a recent interview as he prepare a portfolio of work to show during the July 4th celebration at the Mescalero ceremonial grounds. \u201cHe would walk by and take a peak or stand there and say things. After he left, I still felt that presence and I couldn\u2019t paint. It was quite a journey staying busy with other things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those other things included becoming director of the tribal language program, \u201cfor which I feel grateful, because I needed to be busy with something else to stay sane.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He participated in the PBS \u201cWe Shall Remain\u201d series as a consultant and on-screen actor, and did the same on the Ron Howard film \u201cCowboys and Aliens.\u201d He was involved in some music videos and television documentary series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI feel I\u2019ve been blessed with all these experiences, always something new,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n