Steve Lucas
California
Condors
5 1/2"
H x 7 1/4" D
Steve Lucas is the great -grandson
of Nampeyo, grandson of Rachel Namingha Nampeyo and brother of
Karen Lucas. He is recognized as one of the premier Hopi potters
of today for his outstanding and innovative art work.
He consistently wins blue
ribbons, winning Best of Show at the Santa Fe Indian Market in
1998. His works are created in the traditional ways of Hopi potters
and of his great-great grandmother Nampeyo.
Steve uses all natural clays
to hand coil his pottery, natural pigments to create designs
and outdoor firing to give his art the wonderful blush that adds
much so beauty.
Another characteristic of
Steve's fine work is the high polished glow which most pieces
exhibit. This is achieved through many hours of diligent polishing
using a small, smooth stone.
Most of his designs are based
on old Sikyatki shards that he studies for inspiration. Steve's
work is precise, finely detailed, nearly perfect in symmetry.
The red mica bottom is particularly
fine, as are the other red mica slip areas. Like his forebears,
Steve has mastered the art of traditional polychrome pottery
making. He mentioned that the red bottom potteries must be fired
upside down, taking special care not to damage or burn the rim.
Steve has signed with his
hallmark mudhead, or koyemsi, along with an ear of corn
for his great-grandmother, Nampeyo.
With regard to the most labor
intensive step of his highly polished masterpieces, Steve says
"we use a very smooth stone to do the polishing. When you
find a good stone, they become very precious and are often passed
down, generation to generation."
