Steve Lucas
Arrowheads
5" H
x 7 1/2" 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 and this year he won best of pottery at the Santa Fe
Indian Market. 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.
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
"Working on the dried, sanded pot, polishing takes several
hours, or more if it's a larger pot. We do not use a slip or
glaze to achieve the surface finish.
"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."
