Artist Statement:
I am half Tewa (Santa Clara
Pueblo) and half Irish. My mother was full Tewa. My Father was
Irish. I was born in Los Angeles, California in 1962. I was raised
in the pueblo, after my parents died from age 3 to 13. I lived
in a group home for girls in Santa Fe from age 13 to 15. I’ve
been on my own since I was 15 years old.
I was 23 when I returned to Santa Clara Pueblo. Having made the
full circle I returned to the pueblo to start another life. I
rededicated my life to the Lord and married the boy next door.
We were married in 1985 and started our family in 1986 with the
birth of our first daughter. We have six daughters and two sons.
I started making pottery in
1984. I was 24 years old. I remember making pottery figurines
as a child but I don’t ever remember burnishing or finishing
any thing. So I consider myself not only a late bloomer but also
a self taught artist. Many of my cousins who are potters were
already well established artists when I started. My sister, (Sharon
Naranjo Garcia) was my closest mentor. We come from families
that have been potting for generations. I am a sixth generation
potter from my family.
I started with small bowls
and nativity sets. Within a couple of years I was carving designs
on my pots. These designs come from inside me, and the pots will
show me what designs they want. My style is traditional. I work
in the black deep carved style pots. I also do the red with a
clay slip that when fired turns golden, which makes a beautiful
contrasting color.
I have tried to walk in the
footsteps of the matriarchs of pottery in that I have been creating
pieces that our family is known for. The large storage pots and
water jars created by different family members, most who have
gone on to the afterlife, are in museums across the country.
I have won numerous awards
over the years and have been included in several books and publications.
