NAVAJO ETCHED PUEBLO POTTERY

by Michael Charlie

Michael Charlie is a full blooded Native American Indian. He was born in 1976 into the Navajo Nation. He began his interest in crafting pottery when he was 16 years old. Mr. Charlie was inspired by his mother, Susie Charlie, who is credited for developing this unique style of art. She taught her son how to paint the colors on the pottery, as well as etch his pottery free hand. Michael crafts on many different shapes and sizes of pottery like wedding vases, seed pots, water vessels, and ollas. He etches feather designs and other geometric designs. His favorite pieces to craft are the ones he crafts with quality stones of turquoise inlayed into the pottery. Continuing long lived traditions is extremely important to Michael and by constructing his art he feels he is adding to the long lived legacy of his ancestors. The lucrative aspect of the business was also inspiration for him to become an artist. He signs his pottery as: Michael Charlie, Navajo.  This pot features a Turquoise stone accent.

by Jason Mondragon

SAN JUAN PUEBLO POTTERY

by Vivian Etsitty

Navajo etched pottery is the most recent (and most popular) form to emerge from the Navajo potters. Each piece is pour molded and then painted on a wheel in various colors. Depending on the colors that emerge, different patterns and designs are hand etched along the colors. Once the designs have been etched in to the pot, it goes in to the firing process.  Signed by the Navajo artist.

HAND COILED SAN JUAN PUEBLO POTTERY

by Myrtle Cata

Myrtle Cata is a full blooded Native American Indian, member of the Turquoise Clan, who was born in 1953. She is part San Felipe and part San Juan Pueblo. She was inspired to continue the long lived tradition of hand coiling pottery from within her heart. The lucrative aspect of the business was also inspiration for her decision to become an artist. She has been hand coiling pottery since 1979. She attended many art classes to learn the art of working with clay. While going to school, she developed a friendship with Tina Garcia from the Santa Clara Pueblo. They shared special techniques and learned each other’s methods of working with clay.

Myrtle specializes in contemporary hand coiled San Juan style pottery. Her pottery style is simple in appearance. It is thin walled, graceful, and undecorated. She gathers her clay from within the San Juan Pueblo. Then, she cleans, mixes, hand coils, shapes, and fires her pottery, outdoors. She signs her pottery as: Myrtle Cata, San Juan Pueblo. Myrtle is a very creative artist that expands her creativity in many directions. She constructs men’s head dresses among many of her other creations.

This lovely piece was coiled with a red micaceous clay and then painted with a micaceous slip. It sparkles beautifully when it catches the light. It is signed Myrtle Cata, San Juan Pue.

by Jason Mondragon

by Jason Mondragon

Carlos Laate of Zuni Pueblo is the nephew of Jennie Laate who taught pottery at Zuni High school for many years. Noreen Simplicio later took over her position followed by Gabriel Paloma. Noreen, Agnes & Anderson Peynetsa, Gabriel and many other well-known potters were all Jennie's students. Carlos is one of many who has inherited a full and rich revived tradition thanks to the efforts of those who came before him. He learned pottery making from Jennie and from his grandmother, Daisy Hooee. He has been an active potter since 1987.

by Jason Mondragon

by Robert Tenorio

by Michael Charlie

Michael Charlie is a full blooded Native American Indian. He was born in 1976 into the Navajo Nation. He began his interest in crafting pottery when he was 16 years old. Mr. Charlie was inspired by his mother, Susie Charlie, who is credited for developing this unique style of art. She taught her son how to paint the colors on the pottery, as well as etch his pottery free hand. Michael crafts on many different shapes and sizes of pottery like wedding vases, seed pots, water vessels, and ollas. He etches feather designs and other geometric designs. His favorite pieces to craft are the ones he crafts with quality stones of turquoise inlayed into the pottery. Continuing long lived traditions is extremely important to Michael and by constructing his art he feels he is adding to the long lived legacy of his ancestors. The lucrative aspect of the business was also inspiration for him to become an artist. He signs his pottery as: Michael Charlie, Navajo. 

Size: 9 1/2" Tall, 10" at widest point

HAND COILED SAN JUAN PUEBLO POTTERY

by Myrtle Cata

Myrtle Cata is a full blooded Native American Indian, member of the Turquoise Clan, who was born in 1953. She is part San Felipe and part San Juan Pueblo. She was inspired to continue the long lived tradition of hand coiling pottery from within her heart. The lucrative aspect of the business was also inspiration for her decision to become an artist. She has been hand coiling pottery since 1979. She attended many art classes to learn the art of working with clay. While going to school, she developed a friendship with Tina Garcia from the Santa Clara Pueblo. They shared special techniques and learned each other’s methods of working with clay.

Myrtle specializes in contemporary hand coiled San Juan style pottery. Her pottery style is simple in appearance. It is thin walled, graceful, and undecorated. She gathers her clay from within the San Juan Pueblo. Then, she cleans, mixes, hand coils, shapes, and fires her pottery, outdoors. She signs her pottery as: Myrtle Cata, San Juan Pueblo. Myrtle is a very creative artist that expands her creativity in many directions. She constructs men’s head dresses among many of her other creations.

This lovely piece was coiled with a red micaceous clay and then painted with a micaceous slip. It sparkles beautifully when it catches the light. It is signed Myrtle Cata, San Juan Pue.