Ernest Franklin

Ernest Franklin

Paintings by Ernest FranklinThe late artist Ernest (Ernie) Franklin was born on the Navajo reservation during World War II and spoke only Navajo until he was sent to boarding school.  He was largely a self-taught artist who met Ernie Bulow, publisher and author, in high school and Bulow acted as Franklin's mentor and agent, selling his paintings (such as ours below) and entering him in competetions for many years.  Best known for his extensive illustrations for the late Tony Hillerman and his Navajo Tribal Police mystery novels, Franklin's original art was often added to Hillerman's books , making they even more collectible.  Here Parrish Books offers,  for the first time, our framed collection of original watercolors from Indian Country,  each painted and signed by the late Ernest Franklin.  For fans of the Hillerman books, many of the characters will be recognizable; others perhaps not.  We leave it to you to identify and choose your favorites!  (Some switching of paintings back and forth may be possible.)

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