His father Bennett Sockyma is his teacher and taught him at a young age. He first started with the flat dolls at a young age and worked his way up to the full figure. As a young carver he could remember watching Bennett as he carved on his pieces that he would sell in shops mainly in Sedona, Arizona. As a young Carver he would enter student art shows which he has won many awards in. He then earned an opportunity in the large Prestigious Native American Art Shows such as Heard Museum Indian Market and Santa Fe Indian Market where he has been showcasing his talents and winning numerous awards along the way for his Unique artwork. He has won many awards including several 1st place and best in classification awards at the prestigious Heard Museum (student) art Show and Ceremonial (student) Indian market in Gallup, NM. He has won several Awards at the Prestigious Heard Museum Indian Market including his latest a 1st place at the this years 2021 competition for his Piece Entitled: " Chaveyo Ogre ". He has also won awards at the Museum of Northern Az Hopi Show, Ceremonial Indian Market, Tuhisma Art Show Hopi, Az, and Now a 1st place at last year’s World Famous Santa Fe Indian Market. His latest publishing was in Native American Art Magazines tribute to Hopi Carvers feb/mar issue 2020.
The detail that makes his artwork unique is the feather work in which he tries to make as realistic as possible. He tries to put as much detail into each piece as he can. Each set of feathers are skillfully wood burned by hand. Each Piece is hand carved from Cottonwood Root which is traditional to Hopi Wood Carving. The Painting is what brings the carving to life using different techniques to achieve a One of a Kind Piece of Award Winning Art.
Donald Sockyma Sun Clan From the Village of Kykotsmovi , Arizona located on the Hopi Reservation in Northeastern Arizona.
***2021 Heard Museum Indian Market 1st place Winner in Contemporary Pueblo Wooden Carvings for his Piece Entitled " Chaveyo Ogre"***
