Late to my Calling: from IT Management to my Jewelry Stump by JJ Otero

JJ Otero (Navajo/Hopi) has been a creative since he can remember as a child singing along to

AM radio on the Navajo reservation. This early love for singing carried him through life and

eventually into a 20+ career in Information Technology.

Life events and changes eventually made it possible for him to resume artistic endeavors. This

pivot lead him into metalsmithing where his intense drive to be the best he's capable of despite such a late start in the arts can be seen in his rise. His journey has trekked through a successful, award winning music career, a prolific two year excursion into painting, an intro to the Native American markets world through his beautifully crafted cradleboards, and his current obsession with jewelry making - a true artist that never understood it until the last six years!

JJ’s outlook guides all things in his life: This moment is perfect and nothing is lacking. With this

intense passion and commitment, JJ’s stamping and texturing styles coupled with a relentless

drive to be a well known metalsmith is making his metalwork and personality stand out while

he navigates an unexpected passion discovered in his ever-growing art career!