When I first opened this gallery, some of the original potters I showcased were brother and sister, Dusty and Forest Naranjo. I met their mom, Bernice, but never had the opportunity to carry her work. Then I worked with the extended family, Jody Folwell, and her daughters, and Dolly Naranjo and her children. Now, all these years later, I am finally working with Bernice. Bernice specializes in the sgraffito work on chocolate brown fired pots. All her pots are Handcoiled pieces, coiled and fired in the traditional Santa Clara style. Bernice is so interesting to talk with about her work. One can tell how personal this entire process is to her. She says, “When you lose a pot, you lose yourself.  Sometimes you have a special feeling for a pot and you hate to fire it because you are so afraid it will break, but I like the idea that not everything is going to survive, because that's the way it is--part of being a potter."
      This bowl is so detailed! Bernice has used the corn stalks as her central theme, and has incised geometrics in the background. It has a lovely shape and a nice opening.

#SC7820 - 4” high by 4” wide
Price: $395

       Each time Bernice makes a “leaf” pot – the design transforms and changes. This bowl has the incised leaves on both top and both, in a horizontal pattern. The various brown tones, both polished and matte lend itself to the overall beauty of the bowl.

#SC10810 - 3 1/2” high by 4” wide
Price: $375

       Born in 1968 in the Taos Pueblo, Dusty Naranjo comes from a long line of Pueblo potters. Like her brother, Forrest, Dusty was not raised in a strictly pueblo environment. Her father, Tito Naranjo, was a university professor and this less traditional upbringing probably accounts for the contemporary styles of Dusty's pottery. In fact, Dusty did not even pursue pottery until a little later in life. She first graduated with a BA in psychology from NM Highlands University and recently obtained her Master's Degree in Art Therapy. However, having been exposed to pottery making throughout her life -- both her parents pot and her father's siblings are Jody Folwell, Nora Naranjo- Morse and Dolly Naranjo -- it was perhaps inevitable that Dusty give it a try. When she did begin potting she discovered that is was a wonderful creative process. Using only traditional techniques, Dusty is now a well known potter having progressed far in a short period of time.
       “What I like about the pottery is the individuality that comes into the designs. I incorporate abstract lines and shapes with images found in the Southwest. Every pot is distinct. I am constantly trying out new designs ideas. This is where the process varies between my families. I like unusual shapes that lend themselves to the designs. I often get inspiration for designs by looking at the shape of the pot.”
       This new vase by Dusty has particularly beautiful incised images of fish. Place in an overlapping design on an elongated band of incised symbols, the fish really stand out. Small dragonflies have been added, and the entire background is a deep brown, with detailed, small, flowing wave like patterns. It is a great composition. The asymmetric neck adds extra visual interest.

#SC1089 - 6 1/2" high by 6" wide
Price: $675

       Jody Naranjo, has grown up in a family of celebrated potters. At age 19, she received a fellowship from the Southwestern Association of Indian Arts. Then in 1992, she won first place in contemporary sgraffito at the Indian Market in Santa Fe. All her pots are sculpted from traditional clays. She is successful in blending traditional and contemporary art forms by carving contemporary images onto traditionally made pottery. Her unique whimsical designs are etched into the clay with an exacto knife.
      Growing up with over 20 family members who made pottery, she knew the entire process by the time she was 6 years old. This early knowledge of the art form resulted in Jody pushing herself to be as good as she could be. Her mom, Dolly, is a talented potter and teacher, and her aunt Jody Folwell, is one of the innovators in contemporary Pueblo pottery. What a great family of potters! Jody continues to produce new designs and shapes – constantly changing and evolving.
     Jody loves to create imagery of women on her pottery. Here is an example of that theme. This is one of HER favorite pots – called “Euphoria” It is a self-portrait – showing her at a moment of “floating through space – happy and cheerful and escaping the everyday challenges of life.” The bottom of the piece is subtly designed, as well.
     We are so pleased to have just had Jody at our gallery, as our guest artist for the Annual December Holiday Show. She had a marvelous showing here, and we felt privileged to see so many new works, and such variety in what she creates. Congratulations to her for winning a BEST OF DIVISION AWARD at this summer’s Santa Fe Indian Market.

#SC1268 - 2 " high by 7 1/2" wide
Price: $1800 SOLD

       Madeline Naranjo is a fine young potter who combines an excellent polish with unusual carved designs. She is named for her grandmother (Madeline Naranjo) who is a well respected potter. Madeline's husband is Adrian Garcia, the son of well known Santa Clara potters Effie and Orville Garcia. Adrian, who used to make sgraffito style pottery, is completely involved in the pottery making process and has been responsible for many of their unusual designs.
       Madeline has been potting since 1991 when she was taught by her grandmother (her mother was not a potter). As a couple, Madeline and Adrian were instructed by a little known Santa Clara potter named Julie Gutierrez. Madeline makes the pots but both she and Adrian work on designing and carving. Madeline then does the cleaning and polishing and then they fire together. Madeline and Adrian's wares are greatly admired for the highly polished finish and meticulous designs. Madeline and Adrian are full-time potters who have devoted themselves to preserving the ancient craft of the Santa Clara region and to producing high quality pottery which is truly representative of their people. They have won awards at recent Santa Fe Indian Markets and have also found time to have three daughters. A nice photograph of Madeline and Adrian may be found in the Gregory Schaaf book "Pueblo Indian Pottery - 750 Artist Biographies" under "Adrian Garcia" on page 29.
       This very beautiful rounded seed bowl is covered with lizards and dragonflies. I like how the arms of one lizard flow into the arms of another. The deep carving is beautifully executed. There is a nice balance between the matte areas and the polished areas.

#SC6917 - 5” high by 4 ¾” wide
Price: $900

       Here is the smallest pot we have had from Madeline. It is a simple bear paw carved miniature. Highly polished, deeply carved, it is a great example of her traditional Santa Clara work.

#SC6918 - 2” high by 2 ¼” wide
Price: $225 SOLD

      Monica Romero, born in 1975, is a young potter, working in her family tradition. She is the daughter of well known potter Geri Naranjo, whose style she has emulated. When Geri suffered a stroke in the spring on 2000 Monica really started to focus on her pottery and made dramatic improvements. She polishes her pieces in the traditional manner - with a river stone. Her designs are etched into the clay after it has been polished using the sgraffito technique. Her pottery is fired in the outdoor oven, and smothered at just the right time for the smoke to penetrate the clay and turn it black. Occasionally she will use a second firing to bring out a rust color in the black ware. She incorporates traditional designs such as "Avanyu", the plumed water serpent of her culture's mythology, and the classic feather design.
      The following is a statement from Monica. "I am from Santa Clara Pueblo and am 25 years old (2001). I started making pottery when I was 4 years old. At that age I was in the Wheelwright Museum's Children's Art Show. I have participated in the Eight Northern Pueblos Show and the Santa Fe Indian Market. I have won numerous awards at these shows. My pottery has appeared in books, the most recent being "Santa Clara Portraits" by Neil Chapman. I take pride in my work and each piece is a representation of me."  This beautiful miniature is totally covered with symbolic incising. Great shape – great sienna top – This is a marvelous mini bowl. 

#SC5611 - 1 1/2" high by 1 3/4" wide
Price: $400

      Though Emily is of Kiowa ancestry, she moved to Santa Clara at a young age, and was raised in that Pueblo. In 1994, Emily Suazo Tafoya tragically became a widow with four small children. She had always assisted her husband, the well known Santa Clara potter, Ray Tafoya, with the making and gathering of their clay, and the coiling of the pieces. But she needed to learn the intricate art of sgraffito and painting, and took on this challenge until she perfected it. Her pottery is beautifully carved, and the use of reds, greens, and black, are her trademark.
     This is a lovely lidded vase. The green slipped medallions in the center with the hummingbirds are so beautifully set against the red floral petals. The little bear stopper with a heartline is a wonderful way to “finish” the piece.

#SC399 - 3 1/2" high by 2 1/2" wide
Price: $395

     Linda Tafoya is the Granddaughter of Margaret Tafoya and the daughter of Lee and Betty Tafoya. Born in 1962, Linda began making pottery at the age of twelve. She learned this art form from her aunt Mary Archuleta as well as from her parents. Linda has created a name for herself with her own unique style. She has created a contemporary adaptation of the traditional Santa Clara carving style. She frequently uses a micaceous slip to decorate parts of her pots. Her carvings are deep, and clean, and very graceful. Her images are so well defined, with such exceptional accuracy with the carvings.
     Linda has won numerous awards and prizes, including "Best of Division" and "First Place" at the Indian Market in Santa Fe. Right now, Linda's polishing work is so exceptional -- her pieces are a work of real beauty.
      Oh my - FIFTY FIVE feathers all magnificently carved and polished! Mother and son, Linda and Jeremy, worked on this piece together, Jeremy actually coiled the jar, and Linda designed, carved, polished, and incised it. The elongated feathers follow the gentle curve of the jar. It is large, elegant, and gorgeous. The mica carved bands of San Juan designs makes for tremendous visual appeal. Linda achieved such a high sheen on the pot, it actually glistens.

#SC583 - 9" high by 9" wide
Price: $4500

    About five years ago, I had a small lidded ribbed bowl from Linda, I loved it so, I wanted to keep it, but sold it right away to a happy collector. I asked to try to recreate that size and shape and design – and here it is. Magnificently polished and so well formed, it has met all my expectations.

#SC386 - 3" high by 3 1/2" wide
Price: $1400

    Many years ago we had a canteen from Linda and just loved it. This is the first one she has made in a long time. Her work is so complete; the avanyu fits the space so well, with movement in a flowing motion. Her carvings are so soft and curved. It is a lovely example of her creative and traditional work.

#SC393 - 5" high by 4 1/2" wide
Price: $1600

    This lidded bowl is simply spectacular. In fact, it won the Red Ribbon at the Heard Museum Indian Fair in the category of carved pottery. (We have the ribbon to go with it!) It actually has SEVENTY TWO feathers carved on it. The precision and evenness of those feathers is amazing, On the top of the pot Linda has carved a round disk with old style San Juan carvings, and half way down the pot those carvings repeat themselves in a beautiful mica band. A small red polished stopped finished the piece at the top. It is so elegant. It is one of our absolute favorite pieces by this remarkable talented potter.

#SC394 - 4 1/2" high by 5 1/2" wide
Price: $3400

     Another special request from me was to make a smaller, lidded avanyu bowl. This is such a simple piece, and yet, so very elegant.  It shows remarkable polishing, great carving, and wonderful placement. We are so thrilled with Linda’s new work.

#SC985- 3 3/4 " high by 3 3/8 " wide
Price: $1400

    Beautifully polished, and cleanly carved, this rabbit ornament with stones is a beauty. The leather strapping on the piece completes the look, and it hangs so nicely o the ornament stand.

#SC12822 - 2 1/2" high by 2" wide
Price: $425

    Lu Ann Tafoya is the wonderfully talented daughter of Margaret Tafoya. Like her mother, she is known for her simple shapes and designs. She is particularly well known for her large polished jars and the high quality of her carving. "My Mom and Dad told me to keep doing the traditional design. It has been going on in the family, and each symbol means something …each one has a different meaning.”
     This double bellied red jar is absolutely stunning. Known for her ability to coil large pots, this is an example of her simple and elegant shaped water jars. It is 15 “high…just amazing work! The bear paws are impressed into the clay before it is polished and the pot is polished to such a high sheen – it just shines!

#SC199 - 15" high by 12" wide
Price: $7500

     When we had our annual Holiday Open House, and Linda was our guest artist, we decided it was a terrific time to showcase some her son’s work.
     Jeremy is from the Pueblo of Santa Clara and Ohkay Owingeh, formerly the Pueblo of San Juan.  He is the son of Linda Tafoya-Sanchez and great-grandson of Margaret Tafoya, yet he is starting to make a name for himself with his own pottery. He is now 23 years old.  Many of his pieces are collaborations with his mother.  Jeremy has more of a contemporary style in shape and carved designs, while continuing the traditional processes to complete his pieces.  His favorite part of the process is the firing, as the entire family is involved.
     Jeremy hopes to someday make large-scale pieces to follow in the footsteps of his great-grandmother. Some of his favorite artists and influences include his mother, his cousin Nathan Youngblood, storyteller maker Tony Dallas, and Hopi artist Al Qoyawayma. He also enjoys learning and reading about the techniques of other artists and cultures.
     Jeremy attended Dartmouth College in New Hampshire before coming back to the southwest to attend college in New Mexico. He plans on receiving a degree in Psychology and Business upon graduation. An avid martial artist, Jeremy loves to compete in a variety of sports including boxing, muay thai, kickboxing and baseball. With his easygoing personality and creativity Jeremy will be someone to follow in the years to come.
      This oval serving bowl is both stunning and unique. Coiled into an interesting shape, the bowl is polished on the inside rim, and the outside wall. The inside is plain, sparkling with mica. The sides are carved, and the bottom is signed by both Jeremy and his mom.

#SC12713 - 3" high by 10 1/2" wide
Price: $1400

     Coming from a very prominent pottery producing family from Santa Clara, Marie Suazo makes beautiful, deep carved bowls. Learning from her mother, Teresa Gutierrez, the precision of her carving is phenomenal.
     Marie drove here to bring me this pot, as she has just made a recent return to pottery making. She took a three-year break following the loss of her husband, who was her helper. Now she is back in the business and doing everything by herself, and she is doing a wonderful job. This small black bowl has the background deep carved to highlight the polished Avanyu design. Like other women in her family, to further highlight the design, Marie outlined the edges of the Avanyu in a thin matte black paint. This has become their family trademark.

#SC7526 - 2 2/4 " high by 3 1/4 " wide
Price: $450

     Shirley Tafoya is one of the well known daughters of the matriarch Margaret Tafoya. She is known for her miniatures, and her extreme excellence in polishing. Shirley began working full time on pots in 1971, and has been honored with awards and accolades ever since. She doesn’t make a lot of pots, but each one is consistently beautiful.
     This is what I consider to be a “perfect” miniature. Beautifully coiled, expertly carved all around, and polished to the highest sheen possible, this pitcher is a total gem! Look closely at the absolute beauty of Shirley’s carving; the classic avanyu practically jumps off the piece. Her polishing skills certainly shine, as you can tell from the body of the pitcher as well as the handle. We are so pleased to be working with this great artist.

#SC984 - 2" high by 2 3/4" wide
Price: $2500

     Carol Velarde, like the other members of her family, is known for her deep carved pottery and classic forms. She coils well, carves well, polishes well, and paints the edges with a black clay slip. Carol is a very talented artist.      
     Working with Carol Velarde is one of the great pleasures I have. She is so kind, and so receptive to making things work “just right” Avanyu, flowers, butterflies, stair steps, clouds, raindrops, etc. Carol carves all these images so well. Using the family technique of outlining the carvings with a bold black line, these true miniatures (under 3” high) are great.

#SC12813 -
A) 2 1/4" high by 3 1/4" wide
Price: $160
B) 2" high by 2 3/4" wide
Price: $125
C) 1" high by 1 1/4" wide
Price: $45

     In all these years of working with Carol, I have never purchased her red pots. Yet I have always loved them. So here is our first group of three red minis. They are charming,

#SC12814 -
A) 2" high by 2 3/4" wide
Price: $150
B) 1 3/4" high by 2 1/2" wide
Price: $125
C) 1 1/2" high by 1 3/4" wide
Price: $74

     Daryl Whitegeese is the son of renowned potter, Lu Ann Tafoya, and the grandson of Margaret Tafoya.  Relatively new in the field of pottery making, Daryl has been at this craft for about five years. He is so talented, that he has already won several awards at Santa Fe’s Indian Market. This summer (2006) he was honored with a special "Utilitarian Pottery" award. He makes pieces in the handed down ways from Santa Clara.  He uses all natural materials; hand coils his pots, and fires them in the outdoor traditional method.
     This is a large bowl – quite outstanding in carving and polishing. The avanyu is beautifully carved, in a rounded, soft manner. NAC is pleased to showcase his new work.

#SC1165 - 9 1/2" high by 9 1/2" wide
Price: $3600

     This large black polished jar is stunning. Perfectly balanced by his carvings, this jar is simply magnificent. The polishing is so well done, that a very high sheen was achieved. Daryl has certainly learned well from his mother, Lu Ann Tafoya, and his large forms are reminiscent of his grandmother, Margaret. In the last few years, he has won several awards at the Santa Fe Indian Market, and the quality of his work is shown here!

#SC5817 - 11" high by 10 1/2" wide
Price: $3850

     Nancy Youngblood, daughter of Mela and Walt Youngblood, and granddaughter of Margaret Tafoya, is one of the most respected and collected potters working today. Nancy (native name Yellow Aspen) was born at Fort Lewis, Washington in 1955. Raised on numerous army bases, she moved to the Santa Clara Pueblo in 1968 with her mother. It was here that she learned all the traditional ways of making pottery, from gathering her own clay, to refining, shaping, coiling, carving, and polishing techniques. Like her mother and grandmother, all her firing is done outside in the traditional manner.
     Nancy’s first piece for competition was a sgraffito serpent design on a miniature which won a second prize at the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial in 1972. She has been winning awards and competitions ever since, including the coveted “Best of Show” at the Santa Fe Indian Market, and the “Distinguished Artist Award” from the Santa Fe Rotary Foundation in 1997. She is now regarded as one of the finest potters of our time. She strives for perfection which we can see in her precise ridges and carved designs. Her polishing is marvelous as she achieves such deep and rich red and black tones. After 30 years of working at her craft, she says about her best work, “I haven’t produced it yet. That’s to come.”
     Known for her black melon bowls of all sizes, this miniature is a perfect example of Nancy’s best work. Look at the consistency of the carved ribs, and the beautiful black tone she achieves with her polishing. This is a great piece for the collector that has always wanted a Nancy Youngblood ribbed bowl! It is signed “Nancy Youngblood, 2008”

#SC983 - 2 3/4" high by 3 1/2" wide
Price: $4000

     Nathan Youngblood, born in 1954, is the grandson of Margaret Tafoya, and the son of Mela and Walt Youngblood. Along with his sister, Nancy, he is one of the most sought after potters working today. Nathan is a traditional potter, who has won more than 44 awards from the Indian Market in Santa Fe, New Mexico including Best of Class and Best of Traditional Pottery. He lectures in pottery techniques throughout the West and has been profiled in a number of national publications.
     Nathan's pieces combine artistry in perfection and balance. His lines are smooth and clean, and his polishing is flawless. Nathan still digs his own clay, hand coils every pot and uses the traditional open fire techniques. When he started making pottery in 1972, he was the sixth generation of artists in his family to take up this honored craft.
     In a published interview with Nathan, he responded to a few interesting questions:
     "What is the most exciting part of creating your works?"
      "It has to be the time when a pot has cooled and I get to take the first look at the piece."
      "What do you wish somebody had told you when you were just starting out that might have saved you hours of work?"
      "You cannot make the clay do something it doesn't want to do. The clay has a time table of its own." "Be prepared to live your craft."
     "I am walking the same road as many young potters (40s and under). I want to move away from the "regional artist" concept and consider ourselves American artists, not simply Indian artists. As I said, in believing in the importance of tradition, I think every potter should stay within his or her own set of perimeters, but I will always be pushing the envelope in terms of shapes, design, and size."
     We are very partial to Nathan’s ginger jar shapes. Carved on the outside is a stylized avanyu, with added mica work, and then deep into the bottom of the bowl, are even more stunning carvings. The jar feels so complete, as the carvings move around the piece with so much flow. Only a true master carver, could accomplish this work – clean, crisp, finished perfectly, and amazingly polished to a high sheen. This new jar has an amazingly well fitted and conceived lid on it. The curved opening in the center is beautiful. Nathan and I joked, as I loved the lid so much he said “but what about the bottom of the jar? Are you JUST getting the lid? “No, the whole jar is simply gorgeous! We continue to be honored to work with a talent like Nathan.

#SC592 - 7 ¼” high by 6” wide
Price: $7200

#SC12722 - 8 1/4" high by 7" wide
Price: $500