Stacy Lee Turpen was born on March 22, 1967 to Eva and Frank Turpen. He is a member of the “Bitter water” clan and is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. He was raised on the Zuni and Navajo reservations near Gallup, New Mexico. Stacey graduated form Gallup High School and continued his studies at Eastern New Mexico University. He was a member of the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in November of 1990.
Although Stacey has no formal art training, he began carving fetishes when he was a child. The elders would explain the religious symbolism and traditions of the Navajo people; the meaning both spiritual and magical that are created when carving the animals and figures which date back to prehistoric times. After listening to traditional stories told by his elders Stacy would use sandstone and wood to carve these animals.
After many years of encouragement from his family, Stacey is now a full-time artist, devoted to what he loves to do most. Stacey does not limit himself to any particular art form. He follows his heart and does what he enjoys or feels compelled to do.
The material Stacy chooses determines the form of the finished object.
Stacey claims, “The natural beauty is already in the wood, quartz, or stone. All you have to do is let it out.” His talent has been distinguished with award winning pieces.
Worlds smallest carved turquoise hummingbird